David Reynolds fined, and apologies for slur against female team-mates

The women are the first all-female combination to race at Bathurst since 1998.

The Ford driver, who has since unreservedly apologised, has said he was being “humorous”… but the problem with casual sexism is that it’s never really amusing. They are good drivers.

“People know I am a little left-of-centre with my humour but I understand today I took it too far”.

Reynolds, who is effectively is team-mates with the female pairing, as both his Bottle-O Racing Ford Falcon FG X and the Harvey Norman Supergirls cars are run by Prodrive Racing Australia, apologised for the remarks later in the evening.

Because of this comment, Reynolds has received a fine of $25,000 Australian dollars, the equivalent of about $18,000 US.

“Women are an integral part of our sport, whether they are fans, drivers or team members”.

Reynolds’ comments were disgraceful and completely unacceptable in our sport and he has been fined $25,000.

It’s not the first time the relatively inexperienced all-woman team have been targeted by high-profile male racers in the lead-up to the historic Bathurst race.

The duo have already faced a few criticism from the competition with veteran driver Dick Johnson saying that it’d be “a million to one” chance that the pair would finish the race.

Gracie says the goal is the race and that she and Swiss driving partner Simona De Silvestro are just focussing on the job they need to do on Sunday.

Simona de Silvestro and Renee Gracie are making a name for themselves this weekend as they take on the Bathurst 1000.

However, 20-year-old Gracie and former-Sauber F1 test driver de Silvestro, 27, have fired back at Johnson’s comments.

The manager of Renee Gracie, one of the drivers, said the women were surprised by the comment, but had accepted Reynolds’ apology.

“I think we will prove them wrong”, she said.

And while the young Queenslander has received support from many of her competitors, she is on a mission to break the stereotypes surrounding the male-dominated sport.

Reid said women attracted new sponsorship deals from companies marketing to female consumers, as well as a huge amount of media attention.