All the sponsorship money went back into the car. Gracie fell in love with racing aged 12, when a visit to a go-cart track on Hamilton Island during a family vacation sparked a lifelong obsession with racing. As one commentator notes, the diversity of motorsport is almost zero — at every level. What followed was a familiar story, as the Supercar establishment promoted Renee Gracie as the face of diversity while the fans seethed, and rival drivers made wisecracks.
The media spotlight shone bright. When the results on the track were spotty, things rapidly turned sour. While the reasons why are up for debate she says she was pushed too hard too soon to maximise her PR value; critics point to the success of the male driver who replaced her , professional sport is hardly a supportive environment at the best of times.
Archival footage of her agent joking about her weight is uncomfortable viewing; a fellow driver pointing out that his penalty fine for a tasteless joke about Gracie was far more punishment than he faced for physically assaulting a fellow driver, underlines the importance of image to a sport where grid girls are still a central part of marketing. Renee Gracie: Fireproof is available to watch on Stan. Anthony Morris is a freelance film and television writer. Apple Cider Vinegar, based on the infamous Australian wellness influencer Belle Gibson, covers the rise and fall of a social….
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Firmly on Gracie's side, this doco paints a convincing portrait of sexism in sport and a woman's determination to defy it. Anthony Morris. Share Icon. Review by: Anthony Morris. Actors: Renee Gracie. Available on: Stan.
