Together, Kyly and Michael Clarke seemed indestructible, with their combined star power placing them high on Australia’s A-list.
But since their split earlier this year, it’s been a race to see who can climb back up the social ladder the fastest – and prove they’ve moved on from their marriage.
The day after Michael, 39, and designer girlfriend Pip Edwards made their romance official at the Everest Cup Racing Carnival in Sydney, Kyly, also 39, pulled out all the stops to go public with her new beau, V8 star James Courtney, at the Bathurst 1000.
“Kyly knew in the lead-up to Pip and Michael making their big appearance at the races that it would attract lots of attention and media,” a source close to the former WAG tells Woman’s Day.
“She knew she had to one up the pair – so where better than the holy grail of the Mount Panorama circuit, on the arm of one of the country’s biggest motorsport champions?
“Kyly knew in the lead-up to Pip and Michael making their big appearance at the races that it would attract lots of attention and media,” a source close to the former WAG tells Woman’s Day.
(Image: Getty)Arriving trackside in a short skirt, black boots and a black fur puffer jacket, Kyly – a former grid girl – ensured all eyes were on her as she cuddled up to James, 40, in front of a throng of onlookers.
The source reveals that Michael, who is said to have been excited to walk the media wall alongside fashionista Pip, 40, for the first time, would have struggled with being overshadowed by his ex.
“Michael would be quietly furious to be shown up by Kyly – he’s never been so hungry for publicity and he never expected Kyly would warrant more attention than him,” says the insider.
Michael and Pip made their first public appearance together at the Everest Cup Racing Carnival in Sydney.
(Image: Getty)“He would be secretly envious of James’ successes, too, both on and off the track. James is the type of guy who oozes confidence, and there’s not an ounce of insecurity in the bloke.”
Kyly is said to have finally found her place with James, with the source adding that she’s a long-time motorsport fan who was born to be a revhead!
“All the noise and excitement of the track is much more her pace than the subdued cricket grounds,” the insider reveals.
“Kyly and James are a perfect match, and it’s like their lives have come full circle from when they were kids.”
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After seven years of marriage, Michael and Kyly announced their shock split earlier this year.
(Images: Getty)Indeed, Kyly has known James since she was 11, when he used to race karts with her brother Troy Boldy.
“She had a huge crush on James even back then,” says the source. “And James always liked Kyly but they were just kids.”
While it’s believed the pair dated briefly in their teen years, they went down very different paths for the next two decades.
However, after James split from his wife Carys in 2018, and Kyly officially separated from Michael this year, the pair have reportedly found a safe place with each other.
“James adores Kyly and knows she is responsible for mending his broken heart. He finally got the girl he fancied all those years ago,” says the insider.
“I’ve also never seen Kyly so happy. It’s only early days, but if she gets her way, the sound of wedding bells could soon be ringing – maybe next year at the famous Mount Panorama circuit!”
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