📑Table of Contents:
- Early Life and First Steps in Racing
- Climbing the Motorsport Ladder
- Bathurst and the All-Female Team
- The Reality of Motorsport Challenges
- The Career Shift That Shocked Fans
- Media Frenzy and Public Perception
- Funding Her Motorsport Comeback
- Life Beyond Racing and Online Content
- Criticism and Resilience
- Influence on Women in Motorsport
Renee Gracie has been linked to speed, glamour, controversy, and bold career moves. Known first as one of the few women in Australia’s top-level racing scene, she shocked fans by leaving the track for online content creation. Yet, she didn’t stop there — she came back to racing on her terms.
This is her complete story, from her early karting days to her recent return to competitive motorsport.
Early Life and First Steps in Racing
Renee was born on January 5, 1995, in Brisbane, Queensland. From a young age, she loved cars. She didn’t just watch motorsport — she wanted to be in it.
At age 10, she began go-kart racing. It was a demanding sport, but she thrived under pressure. Karting laid the foundation for her skill, reflexes, and competitive mindset. By her mid-teens, she had already won multiple local titles.
Her father played a big role in supporting her racing dreams. He not only funded her early career but also became one of her strongest motivators.
Climbing the Motorsport Ladder
In 2013, Renee made her debut in the Porsche Carrera Cup Australia. Competing against seasoned drivers, she showed determination and adaptability.
During the 2013 and 2014 seasons, she gained valuable experience. Though she wasn’t always on the podium, her lap times improved steadily. This consistency caught the attention of bigger teams.
By 2015, she stepped into the Dunlop Super2 Series — the official feeder to the V8 Supercars Championship. That year marked a historic moment. Renee became the first woman to compete full-time in the series in over a decade.
Bathurst and the All-Female Team
One of her most talked-about achievements was her partnership with Swiss driver Simona de Silvestro. The two competed in the Bathurst 1000 in 2015 and 2016.
It had been 17 years since an all-female team participated in the event. While their results weren’t headline-grabbing, their presence made history. Fans praised them for breaking barriers in a male-dominated sport.
The Reality of Motorsport Challenges
Despite her progress, Renee Gracie has faced a harsh truth — racing is expensive. Even talented drivers struggle without sponsorships.
By 2017, financial strain started to weigh heavily on her career. She admitted later that she had lost the passion for racing because she could not see a sustainable future.
Without the necessary backing, she decided to step away from the sport. This decision shocked her supporters, but it opened the door to a completely different chapter of her life.
The Career Shift That Shocked Fans
In 2019, Renee revealed that she had joined OnlyFans. She was candid about her reasons: financial freedom and control over her work.
The change sparked huge media attention. Some saw it as a bold and empowering move. Others criticized it, claiming she had tarnished her sporting legacy.
Renee didn’t shy away from the criticism. She explained that she was now earning more in one week than she had in an entire racing season. With this income, she could also invest in her future — something racing had not allowed.
Media Frenzy and Public Perception
Her career shift made her one of Australia’s most Googled personalities at the time. Mainstream outlets ran interviews. Tabloids wrote headlines about her new lifestyle. Social media debates exploded.
While traditional motorsport fans were divided, Renee found a growing online audience: her content brand mixed glamour, personal updates, and lifestyle posts.
Renee Gracie also began speaking more openly about the sexism and financial obstacles female athletes face. Her story resonated with many women who felt they had to make tough choices in male-dominated industries.
Funding Her Motorsport Comeback
The twist in Renee’s story came in 2023. She announced she was returning to motorsport — this time on her own terms.
She entered the GT World Challenge Australia series. This comeback was possible because she could now self-fund her racing. Her online career had given her the financial stability that sponsorships never did.
Renee described this return as liberating. She could choose her team, her car, and her racing schedule without relying on corporate sponsors.
Life Beyond Racing and Online Content
Outside of racing, Renee has built a personal brand that blends sport, glamour, and entrepreneurship. She has embraced fitness training, luxury travel, and business opportunities.
Her social media accounts showcase this mix. Followers see race-day moments alongside lifestyle snapshots. This combination keeps her brand diverse and engaging.
Criticism and Resilience
Not everyone has celebrated Renee’s choices. She still faces criticism from those who believe she abandoned racing for fame. Yet, she has developed resilience over the years.
She often says that personal happiness and financial independence are worth more than public approval. This attitude has become part of her appeal to fans who admire confidence and self-determination.
Influence on Women in Motorsport
Renee’s journey has also contributed to ongoing conversations about gender equality in sports. She has shown that women can find alternative ways to fund their careers.
Her story has inspired other female drivers to think creatively about building financial independence.
Conclusion: A Career Defined by Choice
Renee Gracie’s career has not followed a traditional path. She broke into professional motorsport, left for an online business, then returned stronger.
Her story challenges the idea that success must follow a straight line. Instead, she proves that reinvention is possible — and sometimes necessary.
From karting prodigy to Supercars driver, from digital entrepreneur to GT racer, Renee Gracie has shown that one can rewrite their own story at any stage.
