Courtney signs for Holden

2010 V8 Supercars champion James Courtney will leave Jim Beam Racing to drive for the Holden Racing Team next year alongside Garth Tander.

Courtney will effectively follow in the footsteps of Will Davison, who left Jim Beam Racing two years ago to join the factory Holden squad. Davison’s new team has not been confirmed yet, but he is expected to move back to Fords, driving for Ford Performance Racing.

“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,” said Courtney.

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

HRT Managing Director Craig Wilson was pleased with his new line-up and has high expectations for 2011:
“The combination of these two drivers will form a line-up that is second to none in pitlane and as a team we are determined to win the 2011 Drivers and Teams championships.”

HRT is part of the Walkinshaw Performance family, and both MD Craig Wilson and new driver James Courtney had things to say about Tom Walkinshaw, who passed away a day before the announcement.

“I met Tom on a number of occasions,” said Courtney.

“He was a hardcore racer whose goal was always to win and he had my total respect and admiration.

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

Craig Wilson said:
“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.”