Six short weeks after former model Kyly Clarke and her new boyfriend James Courtney went public with their romance, the couple have reportedly called it quits.
Friends revealed the pair were struggling to make the long-distance nature of their relationship work, with Kyly, 39, who shares daughter Kelsey Lee, five, with her ex-husband Michael Clarke, living in Sydney while V8 Supercar driver James, 40, is based in Queensland.
The lovebirds only just enjoyed a romantic getaway together on the NSW coast, with James gushing over his bikini-clad girlfriend.
The pair have sparked rumours they’re all over!
(Image: Instagram)Clearly once smitten, the pair didn’t shy away from sharing their relationship on social media either, flaunting their star-crossed romance.
Looking back, Kyly and Michael Clarke once 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.
Kyly and Michael were once a power coupe!
(Image: Instagram)“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?”
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.
Kyly made headlines when she reunited with James at Mount Panorama, a day before Pip and Michael appeared at The Everest.
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.
“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 was 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 revealed.
“Kyly and James are a perfect match, and it’s like their lives have come full circle from when they were kids.”
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,” said 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.
Will Michael and Pip go the distance?
(Image: Instagram)However, after James split from his wife Carys in 2018, and Kyly officially separated from Michael this year, the pair 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,” the insider said.
WATCH: Kyly Clarke takes daughter Kelsey Lee shopping on her fifth birthday!
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