Photo: V8 Supercars Media

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

David Reynolds has been fined $25,000 for a sexist remark made in the post practice press conference on Thursday at the 2015 Bathurst 1000, in which he referred to the wild card entry of Renee Gracie and Simona de Silvestro as “the pussy wagon”.

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. During the press conference he had responded to a question about the pair’s performance with the response: “Do you mean the pussy wagon?”

“I unreservedly apologise for a comment I made in a press conference earlier today in relation to my female team-mates,” said Reynolds.

“While it was intended to be humorous, I understand it has caused offence. As I stated in the press conference I genuinely hope they perform well as they are both highly-talented as they showed today with their pace.

“We all get on very well and I’ve spent a lot of time with them this week helping them prepare for this race.

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

“I have personally apologised to Renee and Simona and I fully accept the penalty handed down by V8 Supercars and any subsequent team sanctions.”

The V8 Supercars Championship organisers have handed the 30-year-old $25,000 fine for the comment.

“Reynolds’ comments were disgraceful and completely unacceptable in our sport and he has been fined $25,000,” said V8 Supercars CEO James Warburton.

“Women are an integral part of our sport, whether they are fans, drivers or team members. And V8 Supercars will continue to support and promote female participation at all levels of our sport.”

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