Courtney never lost confidence in rollercoaster 2022
James Courtney insists he never lost confidence in his own ability despite a challenging 2022.
The Tickford Racing driver heads into 2023 buoyed by his first multiple-podium season since 2018.
Last season, the 2010 champion scored podiums in Perth, Tailem Bend and Adelaide.
However, Courtney was often an innocent party in a number of dramatic incidents which dramatically affected his campaign.
Notably, the #5 Ford was caught up in incidents at Albert Park, Winton, Darwin, Pukekohe and Surfers Paradise.
He also didn’t turn a lap in the Bathurst 1000 after co-driver Zane Goddard crashed early on.
In all, Courtney lost an estimated 350 points and finished 12th overall.
Away from the track, Courtney also wed partner Tegan, with the couple welcoming their first child, Kobe, post-Bathurst.
Courtney then managed to scored an emotional Adelaide podium just days after six-week-old Kobe was rushed into emergency surgery.
"Fortunately I’ve got a good-sized ego, so I never lost confidence in myself!" Courtney joked to Supercars.com.
“From early in the season, it was like, ‘F**k, we’re on here, it’ll be a good season’.
“We were quick at the Grand Prix — we clashed with Chaz [Mostert] at the last corner battling for the podium.
“Perth we had a really good run, and obviously podiums at The Bend and Adelaide.
“If you take away the accidents, we could’ve been sixth or seventh in the championship.
'We just had a lot of shit go on, a fair bit of bad luck'
“The speed was pretty good — we just had a lot of shit go on, a fair bit of bad luck.”
Courtney cited his Perth battle with Shane van Gisbergen as a crucial highlight as he challenged the eventual series champion for victory.
A bold strategy from Tickford thrust Courtney into contention for his first win in six years.
Van Gisbergen would overhaul the #5 Snowy Rivers Mustang late on, with Courtney finishing second for just the fifth time since 2016.
The introduction of the low downforce Gen3 rules gives Courtney even more encouragement to end his victory drought in 2023.
The 15-time Supercars race winner tested the Mustang prototype before Christmas, and is line to test the car again this week.
Courtney said the new car offers a "whole new challenge", one he is eager for given his experience.
“It was nice to get a few podiums — being in the hunt for the win in Perth was great,” said Courtney, who last signed a Tickford contract in late 2021.
Courtney with engineer Sam Scaffidi
"The championship’s super strong at the moment, more so with Shane and Triple Eight doing such a good job.
“They’re pushing everyone to work harder. It’ll be interesting this year with the new cars.
“The team’s excited about the future, it’s great working with Cam [Waters], he’s a great talent.
“The new cars present a whole new challenge, and it’s been good being involved in the programme."
Courtney will record his 550th race start this season, and will be just the eighth driver to reach the milestone.
He will be joined in Tickford's 2023 line-up by Waters, Thomas Randle and new signing Declan Fraser, with the team preparing for a pre-season training camp in Noosa.
The 2023 Repco Supercars Championship will commence in Newcastle on March 10-12.
Tickets are on sale on Supercars.com and Ticketek.com.
