Courtney signs with HRT

[FireArc]

Rather than continuing to hijack the 'is Davo leaving HRT?' thread...i've started a thread in its own right as arguably it could be bigger news than Davo heading back to Ford. Sorry if this thread is a repost...i couldn't see one dedicated to this topic.

So to recap, a few days ago we heard this from www.speedcafe.com.au :


James Courtney is about to shock the V8 Supercars world when he is confirmed as a Toll Holden Racing Team driver for 2011.

The V8 Championship Series leader, who heads to next weekend’s Sydney Telstra 500 with a 53 point lead over dual champion Jamie Whincup, is believed to have signed a multi-year deal with the factory Holden team in Melbourne yesterday.

Courtney’s high-profile manager Alan Gow has left the country having concluded his client’s deal.

The 30-year-old is set to replace the out-going Will Davison, who will suit up in the #6 Ford Performance Racing Falcon FG.

It is understood that Courtney will take his current Jim Beam Racing engineer Scott Sinclair with him to the factory team.Neither Toll HRT or James Courtney’s representations would comment on the matter when contacted by Speedcafe.com.au today.

The star’s expected move to Toll HRT comes after two months of speculation regarding his future. With his current team owners Dick Johnson and Charlie Schwerkolt embroiled in a difficult split, Courtney has looked elsewhere for employment. Holden has been publicly keen to sign the popular driver, although he did have options to remain at Ford, driving a fourth entry at FPR.

As it turns out, the option to head to HRT to partner Garth Tander was too tempting.

Courtney’s move to Toll HRT is a return of sorts. After spending the majority of his racing career in Europe, Courtney was lured back to his homeland by HRT to compete in the 2005 V8 Supercars endurance races. He raced at Sandown and Bathurst with Jim Richards, finishing 11th at Sandown before crashing in his opening stint at Bathurst.

Ford poached Courtney for 2006, replacing Marcos Ambrose at Stone Brothers Racing. He spent three frustrating years with SBR before switching to Dick Johnson Racing – a relationship that has proved successful but brief.

So with the 'get out of contract clause' in mind, we have now received this news this morning:

Charlie Schwerkolt sells his share of DJR:


Schwerkolt, the man touted as DJR’s saviour, is now officially on the outer at the famous Queensland V8 Supercars team.

The only asset that Schwerkolt has taken from his bust-up with Johnson is the Racing Entitlements Contract (REC) that James Courtney currently competes on.

...DJR will confirm its position on this matter in the next 24 hours

http://www.speedcafe.com.au/2010/12/03/charlie-schwerkolt-sells-his-share-of-djr/

Interesting times. Ingall, Courney, and Whincup (entire 888 really) are bought by Holden manufacturers the year after winning the V8SC Championship in a Ford. Clever ploy by Holden? Or Ford stupidity? Either way, with the series already skewed 2:1 in terms of Holdens and Fords on the grid (i think it is 20 Holdens to 10 Fords or thereabouts?), its already starting to look like the Commodore Cup.

Is this a good thing for the Championship?

[Pickles]

Yeah, well Skaife was always filthy on Courtney for going to Stone Bros.....so He'll probably be pretty happy to see him there now??!!
Dunno what Ford could've done.....I suppose dollars had something to do with it, but with Adrian Burgess going to 888, that may have had something to do with it as well....and I thought James was a pretty good mate of Charlie also....who also has an undecided role next year.
So with Courtney, his engineer, & Burgess all gone....I don't like DJR's prospects for the same level of success next year.
Cheers, Pickles.

[VY18s]

Ingall wasn't bought by Holden after he just won the championship in a Ford. He stayed at SBR for 2 more years before he went back to Holden in 2008.

When 888 were announced to go to Holden a good 6 months before the championship was set in stone.

Courtney hasn't even won it yet.

I don't know whether it's a clever ploy by Holden, or Ford's stupidity, but I really think VESA should be blamed for the uneven grid. Is it Holden's fault for the field being like it is? Nope. Is it Ford's? Nope.

VESA should be to blame for the "Commodore Cup", but as a matter of fact there were always more Holden then Fords even before 888 came to Holden.

The reason people take as much notice now is because 888 handed it to the Ford teams for years, and the numbers on the Ford side were somewhat clouded by this fact. So really the numbers have swayed towards Holden for a few years. It needs to be fixed, because a large majority of those Holdens are backmarkers anyway.

[Souljah]

its already starting to look like the Commodore Cup.

They are all the same anyway. :rofl:

[hoon69]

Dick Johnson Racing has survived the hostile ownership schism after Charlie Schwerkolt sold his shareholding in the team.

The details of the resolution after a lengthy a protracted fight between the two former friends mean that Schwerkolt retains the No 18 Racing Entitlements Contract Licence, which he has decided immediately to lease back to DJR.

The outcome means that Johnson's team survives and Schwerkolt, who was seen as DJR's saviour from almost certain closure in early 2008, will walk away from the sport.

There are indications that DJR has secured sponsor backing for next season and has reportedly found a minority stakeholder, who is not believed to be Newcastle-based mining magnate Nathan Tinkler.

In the aftermath the big questions are who will replace James Courtney - who has reportedly fled to the Holden Racing Team - as well as Adrian Burgess (to TeamVodafone), Scott Sinclair (HRT) and others in the group?

Johnson and Schwerkolt began a dream partnership a few seasons ago but finished the worst of enemies.

What has also happened in the fallout of one of the worst ownership feuds in the history of the sport is that Schwerkolt and Courtney's friendship has been damaged.

Rumours began to gather steam at the Sydney Telstra 500 today that possible replacements for Courtney at DJR were Steven Richards, who finishes his duties with FPR this weekend, and well-regarded long distance co-driver David Besnard.

Another Championship Series driver who has not sorted a deal for 2011 is Greg Murphy; however, his strong links with Holden, especially in his native New Zealand, would make a move to DJR seem highly unlikely.

[NODDY347]

Once again a DJR driver who is in great form leaves to join HRT. You really can't blame him, i think anyone would jump at the 1.2mill deal to if it was offered. I suppose a percentage of the 1.2mill goes to purchasing the NO.1 plate.

I doubt he was getting anywhere near that at DJR.

I hope he keeps his form in 2011 otherwise he may find himself in MS and WD shoes.

Imo they should be looking for some younger talent to fill the NO.2 spot, Tander is always going to be the gun driver at HRT and i don't think JC will like playing second fiddle.

[hoon69]

Once again a DJR driver who is in great form leaves to join HRT. You really can't blame him, i think anyone would jump at the 1.2mill deal to if it was offered. I suppose a percentage of the 1.2mill goes to purchasing the NO.1 plate.

I doubt he was getting anywhere near that at DJR.

I hope he keeps his form in 2011 otherwise he may find himself in MS and WD shoes.

Imo they should be looking for some younger talent to fill the NO.2 spot, Tander is always going to be the gun driver at HRT and i don't think JC will like playing second fiddle.well they just got rewarded 500,000 from ford as they beat T888 in 2010,so im sure that was a nice bonus for him,then you have ford boosting funding to djr to 1.5m as well as jim beam putting extra into the kitty for 2011,new sponsors coming on board too

i doubt thats a reason to leave,also HRT bought Davidson back and he refused to resign for 2011 first time i ever seen that at HRT so there's alot at stake here i hope he stays his gel'd with the team and his on a role now regardless of the skeptics he won the championship fair and sqaure and he has the barry sheene trophy to show for it.


http://flash.vx.roo.com/streamingVX/261056/2611/SSR/Podcasts/1/mBTiNh.mp3
courtney claims nothings a done deal from his own mouth...


and then you have dick johnson saying his got his blessing to leave and go to HRT

http://www.foxsports.com.au/motor-sports/v8-supercars/dick-johnson-gives-his-blessing-for-james-courtney-to-join-rivals-holden-racing-team/story-fn2ms9um-1225966779906




nothings set in stone but im sure they'll playing the media hype and something will be set in stone come the next day or two.


I hope murphy gets a drive and i reckon S.R could be the replacement for Rcihards till his back on track.

[hoon69]

JAMES COURTNEY TO LEAVE JIM BEAM RACING
13-Dec-2010
Jim Beam Racing today announced that James Courtney has elected not to continue with The Team in 2011.

Team owner Dick Johnson said that the while he was disappointed to lose the services of the 2010 V8 Supercar Series Champion, he wished Courtney all the best for the future.

“It's a shame to see the winning combination broken up, however James has decided that moving on is the best thing for him and his family and I respect that decision,” said Johnson.

“I’ve always had a great relationship with James and I’m very proud of what he has achieved with us.

“The history books will show that James Courtney won the 2010 Drivers Championship with Jim Beam Racing.

“He’s added something wonderful to The Team’s history and for that we will always hold him in the highest regard.

“I honestly wish James all the best,” Johnson said. “But if he thinks that means we’ll go soft on him at the track next year he has another thing coming!”

Courtney said he was pleased to be leaving the team on a positive note.

"Winning the championship with Jim Beam Racing this year is obviously one of the greatest highlights of my career so far,” said Courtney.

"We've had some amazing highs and some lows in my two seasons with Dick's team - but we came out on top and delivered a championship by taking on the 'big guys' and beating them.

"But I never like sitting still and really feel it's time for a new challenge - which will be revealed in the very near future. And it's important to note that Dick, the team and myself have ended our professional relationship still with genuine mutual respect and a continuing real friendship.....which is pretty unique in this sport."

James Courtney Joined Jim Beam Racing in 2009, scoring two race wins in his first season.

The Car #18 driver hit his straps in 2010, racking up 11 podium finishes including 6 race wins and 1 pole.

In addition to winning the 2010 Drivers Championship Courtney was awarded V8 Supercars highest individual accolade, the Barry Sheene Medal.

Courtney’s replacement at Jim Beam Racing will be announced in the coming weeks.

[ova400]

HRT Press meeting at 1pm today, I imagine it would be about this and Tom's passing

[The_Senator]

It's Official...


James Courtney signs with the Toll Holden Racing Team
14/12/2010 1:10:17 PM
Newly crowned V8 Supercar Champion James Courtney has signed a multi-year deal to drive for the Toll Holden Racing Team in the V8 Supercar Championship Series from 2011.

Courtney joins 2007 V8 Supercar Champion Garth Tander, replacing Will Davison in the HRT driver line-up.

Holden Chairman and Managing Director, Mike Devereux said Courtney’s signing added to HRT’s proud racing heritage and served as a tribute to team owner Tom Walkinshaw who passed away on Sunday.

“For more than 20 years, the Holden Racing Team has proudly boasted some of Australia’s best motor racing talent and James Courtney is no exception.

“He is a class act – an outstanding driver and provides our racing program with a real boost.

“At a time when we are paying tribute to the late Tom Walkinshaw for his amazing contribution to Holden motorsport, it is fitting that Australia’s leading driver has joined his famous team.”

Courtney said his decision to join HRT, with whom he began his V8 Supercar career with in 2005, contesting the annual endurances races, was the beginning of another chapter in his distinguished career and presented an exciting new challenge.

“The Toll Holden Racing Team is the most successful V8 Supercar team in the past 20 years and the HRT brand the most prestigious in Australian motorsport, so I am honoured and excited to join the team,” Courtney said.

“Throughout my career I have continually challenged myself and after now having won the V8 Supercar Championship it is time for another test.

In joining HRT Courtney paid tribute to Tom Walkinshaw, saying he left behind a legacy of success that he was determined to carry on.

“I met Tom on a number of occasions. He was a hard core racer whose goal was always to win and he had my total respect and admiration,” he said.

“Tom expected results and that is exactly what I plan to bring to HRT and with Garth take the team back to where it belongs.”

“We are delighted to have signed James to drive alongside Garth at the Toll Holden Racing Team,” Wilson said.

“The combination of these two drivers will form a line-up that is second to none in pit lane and as a team we are determined to win the 2011 Drivers and Teams Championships.

“The news of Tom passing away was a great shock this week however, in the spirit that Tom always approached his racing we are very much looking forward and working to achieve even greater success in the years to come with Toll HRT,” he said.

Courtney will have his first taste of a Toll Holden Racing Team Holden VE Commodore Series II tomorrow (Wednesday, 15 December) when he takes part in the team’s annual sponsor ride day at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit.

Anyone care to speculate where James will finish next year in the Championship???

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs1224.snc4/155607_470020936650_264022076650_6177844_4520250_n .jpg

[hRTHSV]

I believe he took his engineer with him to HRT so if the cars are up to speed in 2011 he can win it again. If the car is like this year then top 5.

[hoon69]

gDehak5dF0Q

[VY18s]

Anyone care to speculate where James will finish next year in the Championship???


Realistically? Top 5. I have a feeling HRT will gain alot of that 2009 form back.

2010 is done, and dusted. A clean slate for 2011. Although I would love to see Tander take it out.:)