Simona de Silvestro will spearhead an all-female driver pairing at this year’s Bathurst 1000.

The Swiss driver will partner Renee Gracie in a Ford Falcon FG-X prepared and run by Prodrive Australia, with backing from Australian retailer Harvey Norman. It will be the first time an all-female line-up has contested Bathurst since Melinda Price and Kerryn Brewster combined in 1998.

The pair will compete as a wildcard entry in the first of a two-year deal, and will carry the number 200 in recognition of the city of Bathurst’s bicentenary.

“The Bathurst 1000 race was actually the first V8 Supercars race that I ever watched and it looked amazing,” said de Silvestro.

“The track looks great from what I have seen on TV. It looks really challenging and I can’t wait to see it for real and to drive around it.”

Gracie, who races in the second-tier Dunlop Series, said that she hopes the pair can inspire other young female racers.

“We want to inspire other young females that they can do anything in life,” said the 20-year-old. “Motor racing is a sport for all and the Harvey Norman Supergirls entry at Bathurst is proof of that.”

The Bathurst 1000 will take place on October 8-11.