Courtney joins HRT

James Courtney will join seasoned V8 Supercar driver Jim Richards in the second Holden Racing Team Commodore for the Sandown 500 and Bathurst 1000 campaigns, the team announced today.

David Cameron Feb 15, 2005, 2:04 PM

Courtney, the 2003 Japanese Formula 3 champion and ex-Jaguar F1 test driver, has not raced in Australia since his beginnings in karting, but is looking forward to his return. "I've always watched Bathurst from the other side of the world and wanted to be a part of it," he said at the announcement.

Richards, a seven time Bathurst 1000 winner and four time Australian touring car champion, will be hoping Courtney can help him get back to winning ways - he last won at Bathurst in 2002, paired with Mark Skaiffe. Richards noted: "I'm very excited about teaming up with James - guys of his calibre and talent are always going to make a quick transition and get on the pace straight away."

Team boss Skaiffe was delighted with the pairing, and noted that the early announcement would allow Courtney plenty of time to test with the team over the Supercar season before the endurance races are scheduled.