Indigenous race driver takes out unique Toyota award
Melbourne, VIC – For the first time, the prestigious TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Australia Kaizen Award has gone to a young First Nations Driver, Kade Davey.
The Kaizen Award, presented annually as part of the TGRA GR CUP end of season awards, is inspired by Toyota’s commitment to the principles of Kaizen, a philosophy that emphasises continuous improvement and recognises those who embody the spirit of change and strive for excellence.
Davey was presented the award by Sean Hanley, Toyota Australia Vice President Sales, Marketing and Franchise Operations, at the end of season Toyota 86 presentation in Melbourne on Sunday evening, where competitors in the TGRA GR Cup and 86 Scholarship Series gathered to receive their accolades for the 2025 season.
Hanley said: “Kade is an outstanding young talent with great potential. The Kaizen Award represents more than just performance and results on track.”
“It’s about the pursuit of continuous improvement in all areas. It also reflects how you conduct yourself and treat others, especially when things don’t go as planned and how you respond to adversity.”
Davey, a member of Australia’s First Nations motorsport initiative, Racing Together, was also recognised for his third place overall in the 2025 TGRA Scholarship Series.
In the Series, Davey made history as the first Indigenous driver in Australia to place in the top three positions in a Motorsport Australia national championship or series, collecting eight podiums during his 2025 campaign.
Davey was humbled to receive the award, saying, “I certainly wasn’t expecting this, but it is really cool to win such a prestigious award from such a prestigious brand. It’s a great honour and I recognise that with the
Kaizen Award comes a responsibility to continue to uphold the values it represents.”
As part of his accolade, Davey will be a guest of Toyota at next year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans which is held in France from June 10 – 14, 2026.
About Kade Davey: Aged 17, Kade is proud of his Martu and Manyjilyjarra First Nations heritage. He started racing dirt karts at eight years old, then transitioned to bitumen kart racing and won the 2023 Western Australian Karting Championship. He moved to Queensland in late 2023 to join the Racing Together Program where he has raced Excels, Toyota 86 Scholarship Series and GR Cup this season.
About Racing Together: Racing Together stands as a beacon of opportunity, empowerment and transformation for Indigenous Australian youth aspiring to enter the world of professional motorsport. Founded with a vision to bridge the gap between dreams and reality, we are the first motorsport initiative of our kind that is dedicated to providing a structured pathway for young Indigenous talents in all fields of the sport from mechanics to drivers. Our commitment goes beyond just racing; it embodies mentorship, life skills, and future career development.