V8 driver Renee Gracie shrugs off “Pussy Wagon” barb in call to fellow female athletes

ONE of the women at the centre of Bathurst’s “Pussy Wagon” barb has urged female athletes to push the boundaries of sport and break into areas long branded “male only”.

ONE of the women at the centre of Bathurst’s “Pussy Wagon” barb has urged female athletes to push the boundaries of sport and break into areas long branded ‘Male Only’.

On the eve of her maiden Bathurst 1000 drive, Renee Gracie has hit out at critics including Ford legend Dick Johnson and V8 superstar Dave Reynolds, the latter of whom was fined $25,000 for using the slur while describing the vehicle being driven by her and Swede Simona de Silvestro.

Among the greatest names in Australian motorsport, Johnson also suggested the pair were little chance of even finishing the iconic motorsport race at Mount Panorama tomorrow.

But speaking with The Saturday Telegraph, Gracie said she hoped that both her and Silvestro — the first all-female team to contest the Bathurst 1000 in 17 years — would encourage more women into sports traditionally considered too masculine for females.

“People always talk about motorsport that there should be a female and male version,’’ she said. “But that really annoys me because I think it should be the opposite.

“I think females should be given a go elsewhere as well.

“Even mixed teams, like cricket should try it.

“And I think that if given a chance, females would probably be better at sports. It’s just not motorsport that it needs to happen, it’s every sport.

“(Laughs) Plus it would make my job easier because then people wouldn’t give me stick about being a female.”

Asked about Reynolds’ ‘Pussy Wagon’ quote, Gracie added: “I’ve brushed it off. I’m over it already.

“It’s one of those things, I get that all the time.

V8 Supercars boss James Warburton added: “It was completely unacceptable and to David Reynolds’ credit, he knew he overstepped the mark. He’s very apologetic.”

One driver certainly in Gracie’s corner, however, is Andre Heimgartner, who has been dating the 20-year-old for the 18 months. Indeed, Sunday’s race will be the first time this pair, who now live together in Melbourne, will have challenged one another outside a V8 simulator.

Steve Murray, Bargs, Tony Flett and Steve Kirkman keep hydrated in the shade at Bathurst. Picture: Dylan Robinson

The Blue Oval zone at the top of the mountain. Picture: Dylan Robinson

Richo Richardson of Newcastle id attending his 20th Bathurst 1000 with his oversized chair and custom esky. Picture: Dylan Robinson

Asked what he made of Johnson’s sledge, where he also said he wouldn’t bet a dollar on the girls winning if they were a million to one, Heimgartner said: “What Dick says, there is some truth to it because they’re going to struggle to win. That’s the case with a whole lot of teams.

“So that’s right. But to say they won’t be a chance of finishing, that’s a bit rough.

“They’ve got plenty of experience. Simona is a lot more experienced than a lot of people down pit lane.”

QUALIFYING OFF AFTER HORROR PRANG

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Earlier this year, Gracie moved 1700km — from Gold Coast to Melbourne — to live with her boyfriend. But Heimgartner shouldn’t expect her to be moving an inch tomorrow.

“We’re both extremely competitive,’’ she laughed. “So it will kill me if he gets past, or if I have to let him pass.

“It will burn a little hole in my heart. Worse, I’ll hear about it for the next couple of months too.”

And as for how much time they spend together this week?

“We only catch up at the catering truck for lunch,’’ she grins. “But we’re both so busy on race day, sometimes I won’t even get time to text my dad.

“So sometimes, yes, he gets ignored. But it goes the other way, too.

“There are times he doesn’t talk to me all day either ... so it’s about understanding that he isn’t being rude. That’s just the way it is.”