Courtney to make Supercars return via Eseries

The BP Supercars All Stars Eseries grid will be boosted by an additional former series champion for the second consecutive week, with James Courtney confirmed as a Round 5 wildcard.

WATCH: ROUND 5 ESERIES PREVIEW

Two-time champ Marcos Ambrose last week joined the five Eseries regulars with a drivers’ title to their name: Jamie Whincup, Scott McLaughlin, Shane van Gisbergen, Mark Winterbottom and Rick Kelly.

For Round 5 at Spa, Courtney – Ambrose’s successor at Stone Brothers Racing – will round out the five-strong wildcard contingent that also includes Lando Norris, Jack Doohan, Broc Feeney and Jayden Ojeda.

Courtney was set for his 15th full-time Supercars campaign this year, but his new affiliation with the revamped Team Sydney organisation fell apart after a single round.

That has left the 39-year-old’s place in the sport up in the air, with appearances in an Erebus Motorsport third car among the known options to have been floated as a means of returning.

Despite a relative lack of simulator racing experience, Courtney was always keen to take part in the Eseries.

He will use his beloved #44, the original racing number from his days in karting and in the European open-wheel pathway.

“Very happy to be back on track this week behind the wheel of the #44 Boost Mobile Commodore,” Courtney said.

“I’ve been practicing on my Next Level Racing simulator since the Eseries began so will be interesting to see how I go against some familiar competition.

“The Eseries has been great to watch, I’ve been itching to get back into it.

“Spa is a very technical circuit plus this week there is a new format, so I think it will be a great night of racing.

“I’ve raced in Europe before, but not from my lounge room so will be interesting to see how I go, really looking forward to testing myself in a Supercar again.”

Courtney’s prior European racing experience includes being crowned World Junior Karting champion in 1995, winning the 2000 British Formula Ford Championship, and being a test driver for the then Jaguar Formula 1 team.

Coverage of the Spa races will begin from Wednesday 7pm AEST live on Fox Sports 506, Kayo, Sky Sports NZ, 10 Play and Supercars’ Facebook, Twitch and YouTube channels.

Fox Sports will exclusively broadcast the one-hour qualifying action starting 6pm.