Courtney daring to dream of Bathurst miracle

A fairytale Bathurst win would be a “mic drop” moment for James Courtney, who is desperate to tick off a Great Race win as the finish line of his career looms.

Courtney has four Bathurst podiums to his name, finishing third three times (2006, 2008, 2019) and second (2007). However, victory has remained elusive through his 18 starts.

A move to the Blanchard Racing Team has yet to bear fruit for Courtney, but the 2010 champion was in the frame for a strong result early at Sandown alongside friend Jack Perkins.

Courtney was comfortably running 11th in the opening laps at Sandown, before an ill-timed Safety Car and broken rear rollbar ruined the #7’s day.

While a Great Race win seems a tall order on paper, Courtney — who raced from 16th to sixth in last year’s race — doesn’t want to take the foot off the pedal given the ever-present reality of retirement.

“[A Bathurst win] would mean the world to me, it would even be a mic drop moment if it happens,” Courtney said.

“I’ve spent my whole career, I’ve ticked off many amazing races and championship throughout the whole time.

“For me, it would definitely feel like something I would’ve missed, I would always dream of being able to achieve.

“We've got two more shots at it, so fingers crossed we can get it done.”

Only Brad Jones, Cameron McConville and Warren Luff (six each) have more Bathurst podiums without a win than Courtney, who debuted for the Holden Racing Team in 2005.

Courtney reeled off three consecutive podiums between 2006 and 2008 for Stone Brothers Racing, once with Glenn Seton and twice with David Besnard, but had to wait 11 years for a fourth trophy in 2019.

Coincidentally, that came in his last Bathurst start with second-generation racer Perkins, who has two wins in four starts in the Dunlop Series this year.

“Sandown wasn’t too bad, we qualified 12th and were running in that spot,” said Courtney, who recently revealed he is set to welcome a second child with wife Tegan.

“We had a lot of bad luck but the speed wasn’t too bad in the start and qualifying, so hopefully we can carry that into Bathurst and have a good result.”

Track action at the Repco Bathurst 1000 will commence on Thursday October 10. Tickets for the event are on sale now.