Sexism fine ‘double standard’ says Kiwi
New Zealand V8 Supercars driver Andre Heimgartner has accused organisers of double standards over the ‘‘pussy wagon’’ fine.
Heimgartner is the long-term partner of Renee Gracie, one half of the all-female team racing at Bathurst this weekend, sharing racing duties with Simona De Silvestro. At a press conference on Thursday, fellow driver David Reynolds referred to the Harvey Norman Supergirls team as the ‘‘pussy wagon’’.
He was handed an A$25,000 fine for his comments, which were described by V8 Supercars boss James Warburton as ‘‘disgraceful’’.
Heimgartner is in an awkward position because, as well as being Gracie’s partner, he also shares a garage with Reynolds. ‘‘It was a bit of a knee-jerk reaction, we’re all mates, we all hang out outside of racing,’’ Heimgartner said. ‘‘Renee hasn’t taken it to heart, but I can see why he’s been given the fine.’’
However, Heimgartner said he thought Dick Johnson’s recent comments were far worse.
The five-time V8 series champion Johnson dismissed Harvey Norman Supergirls’ Mount Panorama quest, saying they were a ‘‘million to one’’ and wouldn’t go close to finishing the 161-lap epic on Sunday.
‘‘It’s about being consistent,’’ Heimgartner added. ‘‘When Dick Johnson can say what he said which is very negative and he gets away with it.’’
Heimgartner said he hadn’t spoken to Reynolds much about his comments and revealed he was the person who informed the Bottle-O driver of his heavy fine. ‘‘He’s been pretty quiet about it,’’ Heimgartner said.
Meanwhile, Scott McLaughlin said it was right officials came down hard on Reynolds.
‘‘Dave is a very witty guy who loves a joke, but he probably went a bit too far,’’ Reynolds said. ‘‘He’s got to remember he’s in the public eye, so everything he says or does is going to be scrutinised and it’s probably more of an inside joke if he wants to say that.
‘‘I can see they’ve got to make the sport as clean as possible and they can’t afford to have something like that happening, because it affects everything, sponsor-wise and things like that. They’ve got to be stern with it but they’ve got to be consistent with their penalties as well.’’