At an age when most teenagers are still learning to drive, 17 year old Brisbane teenager Renee Gracie has become the first female driver to contest the Porsche Carrera Cup Australia Championship. Renee, who turns 18 in January, will take to the track in 2013 driving her Fujitsu Racing Porsche 997 Cup Car.
Renee, a former Rotax Pro and CIK karter, has been part of the Fujitsu ‘Cool’ Driver Program since its inception in 2010 and for the last two years has received structured career development by Chris Jewell’s specialist motorsport management agency, Velocity Management Group.
“This fantastic opportunity is the realisation of what I set out to do when I first started in karts,” said Renee. “I’ve been training hard and working towards making this exciting step into championship motor racing and I couldn’t be happier knowing what 2013 holds for me.”
Renee will soon commence a rigorous testing and development program with leading Carrera Cup exponents Andy McElrea Racing, before making her Carrera Cup debut on the streets of Adelaide at the Clipsal 500 event opening round.
“Yes, it’s a big step, but I feel confident the team can bring me up to speed and assist me with increasing my competitiveness in a structured and measured way. It’s also great to be able to continue with Fujitsu who’ve supported me so enthusiastically for the last two years. I’m pinching myself to be honest.”
Deputy Managing Director Philip Perham of Fujitsu General Australia says everyone involved is excited about what lies ahead for Renee Gracie. “While the next step is a big one, we have great faith that Renee will represent Fujitsu in a positive and competitive way.”
Porsche Cars Australia’s Motorsport Manager, Jamey Blaikie is equally enthusiastic about Renee Gracie’s progression to Porsche Carrera Cup. “Carrera Cup Australia is a great platform for Renee to hone her skills at the wheel of a race car. We are thrilled to play a part in the development of Renee as a driver and look forward to welcoming her into the Porsche championship full-time in 2013. ”