Courtney expecting Supercars return this year

James Courtney is confident he’ll return to the Supercars grid later this year, following his shock exit from Team Sydney after a single event.

The 2010 Supercars champion announced on Saturday he has split with the team and has no alternative arrangement locked in.

Sponsor Boost Mobile, which was a late addition to the #19 Team Sydney entry in Adelaide, has indicated it will support Courtney in whatever he pursues next.

While picking up one of the remaining PIRTEK Enduro Cup co-drives is a logical option, there are suggestions Courtney could return even sooner via a wildcard program.

The oldest driver in the 2020 field at 39, Courtney told Network Ten’s RPM on Sunday that he has been encouraged by the reaction to his shock news.

“The crazy thing is within an hour [of the announcement] I had three teams that are in Supercars contacting me about things to be doing this year with those guys,” he said.

“And then also other categories. It’s been really interesting to see who has come out of the woodwork.

“A lot of drivers, [there’s been] support from those guys, which has been great.

“Although we fight like crazy on the track, we are a little bit of a brotherhood, so that was cool.

“I’ve just got to work out how to put some food on the table for the kids and I. We’ll be alright, we’ll press on. Like I said, there’s been interest."

Asked directly if he’ll be back in Supercars this year, Courtney added: “Yeah, I’d like to think that I will.

“The interest and what’s been happening over this last 12 hour period is indicating I will be.”

Courtney spoke in broad terms as to the reason behind his sudden exit from the Jonathon Webb-owned Sydney team, which he had joined following a nine-year stint at Walkinshaw.

“It was a big commitment that was made in the start, which was a big part of my deal,” said Courtney.

“I probably let it go along unresolved too long because of a friendship with Jon.

“After Adelaide, it became pretty evident that it wasn’t going to be honoured, so enough was enough and I had to do what we did.

“I called in a lot of favours to get this to where it was,” Courtney continued.

“Luckily I had great partners in Boost Mobile and Peter Adderton’s support over a long period of time, he was a big part of that.

“I consulted with those guys right at the end when I was making the decision and they told me what I should do and that they had my back.

“It’s good. It’s done. Now we can press on and see what the rest of the year is going to hold.”