Former Supercars driver Renee Gracie has indicated that a return to the Supercars main game at the Bathurst 1000 is unlikely, although she has not ruled out competing at Mount Panorama in a different category.
Speculation in recent years suggested that Gracie could pursue a self-funded wildcard entry at Bathurst, following her high-profile departure from professional circuit racing. However, speaking while on a fact-finding trip in the United States, Gracie has played down the likelihood of returning to Supercars competition.
She previously contested the Bathurst 1000 twice, sharing the Harvey Norman-backed Supergirls entry with Simona de Silvestro in 2015 and 2016. Since stepping away from racing, Gracie has remained a prominent public figure, but has not competed regularly in top-level motorsport.
Gracie has suggested that her time away from the Supercars paddock makes a return to the championship’s main category difficult, both competitively and personally. While a Supercar comeback appears improbable, she remains interested in the idea of racing at Mount Panorama Circuit in alternative machinery.
She has specifically pointed to categories such as GT racing, Porsche-based one-make series, or entry-level production-based championships as potential options. Gracie has highlighted the appeal of larger grids, closer racing, and a more relaxed competitive environment compared to her previous Supercars experience.
A key theme in her comments is enjoyment. Gracie has acknowledged that she lost her passion for racing during her final years in Supercars and Super2, and any future return would be driven by the desire to rediscover that enjoyment rather than chasing results or exposure.
She has said that the ideal programme would involve competitive but accessible cars, strong fields, quality circuits, and an overall positive race-weekend atmosphere. For Gracie, the focus would be on learning, racing wheel-to-wheel, and enjoying the process rather than operating under the pressure she previously experienced.
Gracie’s racing background includes campaigns in Australian Carrera Cup in 2013 and 2014, followed by a move to the Supercars Super2 Series from 2015 through to 2017. She stepped away from motorsport shortly thereafter.
From a Racing-X perspective, Gracie’s comments underline a broader trend within Australian motorsport, where drivers increasingly explore alternative categories that prioritise close racing and enjoyment over the demands of the Supercars main game. While a Bathurst return in a Supercar now appears unlikely, the possibility of seeing Gracie back at Mount Panorama in another class remains open.
At present, no concrete programme has been confirmed.
