An all-female combination of IndyCar and Formula E driver Simona De Silvestro and Australian driver Renee Gracie will compete in this year’s Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000.
Swiss-born De Silvestro is considered one of the world’s leading female drivers, following in the footsteps of racing sensation Danica Patrick on the US scene. Gracie is the only woman competing in the Australian V8 Supercars Dunlop Series.
De Silvestro, known as the `Iron Maiden’, and Gracie, known as the ‘Devil Princess’, will form the first all-female pairing to race at Bathurst since Melinda Price and Kerryn Brewer in 1998.
V8 Supercars CEO James Warburton and NSW Premier Mike Baird made the announcement in Sydney as they launched the three upcoming NSW V8 Supercars events, beginning with this weekend’s Sydney Motorsport Park SuperSprint.
Warburton said V8 Supercars were delighted to secure two leading female drivers to one of Australia’s biggest sporting events for the next two years. Baird welcomed the announcement and looked forward to more great sporting events for the people of NSW.
De Silvestro, 26, races in the American IndyCar Series for the world famous Andretti Autosport outfit, having been a part of the Swiss Sauber F1 squad last year. She recently announced she would contest the 2015/16 FIA Formula E Championship.
De Silvestro finished second in the Grand Prix of Houston in 2013 joining Patrick and Sarah Fisher as the only women in IndyCar history to record a podium finish.
Gracie, 20, is a prodigious young talent in her first season in the V8 Supercars Dunlop Series having graduated from Porsche Carrera Cup. Gracie is coached and mentored by current Supercheap Auto Bathurst Champion Paul Morris.
De Silvestro and Gracie are one of two wild card entries for this year’s event along with Newcastle brothers Aaren and Drew Russell.
Prodrive Racing Australia will provide the racing services to the De Silvestro and Gracie entry. Prodrive Racing Australia has won the last two Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 classics, with Mark Winterbottom and Steven Richards in 2013 followed by Chaz Mostert and Morris in last year’s memorable finish. The Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 this year also continues the bicentenary celebrations of the city that has hosted the country’s ‘Great Race’ for more than 50 years.
