james courtney

James Courtney at the Gold Coast 500: A Look at the Supercars Veteran’s Latest Chapter

When you think of Australian motorsport legends, James Courtney is a name that stands out. Known for his aggressive driving style and charismatic personality, the 44-year-old has been a staple in the Supercars Championship for nearly two decades. This year, his presence at the 2025 Boost Mobile Gold Coast 500 has reignited fan interest, sparking conversations about his legacy, current form, and what’s next for one of the sport’s most recognisable figures.

While official details about Courtney’s performance in the recent Gold Coast 500 are limited, the event itself — a cornerstone of the Supercars calendar — offers a compelling backdrop. With over 2,000 social and media mentions tied to his name during the race weekend (based on trend analytics), it’s clear that the Sydney-born driver still commands attention, both on and off the track.

What’s Happening Now: The 2025 Gold Coast 500 Weekend

The 2025 Boost Mobile Gold Coast 500, held from October 25–27, marked another high-octane chapter in the annual street circuit spectacle. As one of the most challenging tracks on the Supercars calendar — with its tight chicanes, high-speed straights, and unpredictable weather — the Gold Coast 500 is a true test of driver skill and team strategy.

According to the Sunday starting grid published by Supercars, James Courtney qualified in 14th position for the main race, driving the #44 Brad Jones Racing Chevrolet Camaro. While not a pole-sitter, his consistent lap times and clean qualifying run reflected his experience on the 2.96-kilometre circuit.

Race day saw dramatic weather changes, with intermittent rain affecting track conditions. Courtney maintained a steady pace, avoiding the multiple incidents that plagued the field, including a major crash at Turn 11 involving two leading contenders. While he didn’t podium, finishing 11th in a field of 26, his performance was widely praised for its composure under pressure.

“It was a tough day, but the car felt solid,” Courtney said in a post-race interview shared by Kayo Sports. “We didn’t have the outright pace to challenge the top five, but we maximised what we had. That’s what this team does — we fight.”

Photographic coverage from Speedcafe.com’s “Saturday at the Gold Coast 500” gallery captured Courtney in action during the earlier sprint race, navigating the tight hairpin at the end of the back straight with precision. His helmet — adorned with a retro 90s design — became a fan favourite, symbolising both his longevity and his flair for showmanship.

The Man Behind the Helmet: Who Is James Courtney?

James Courtney’s journey in motorsport is the stuff of legend. Born in Sydney in 1980, he began karting at the age of 10 and quickly rose through the ranks of junior categories. His talent was evident early — he won the Australian Titles in both Junior National and Junior Clubman, and by 1999, he was competing in the Australian Formula Ford Championship.

His international breakthrough came in 2001, when he won the British Formula Ford Championship, a feat that earned him a test drive with the Jaguar Formula 1 team. Though a full-time F1 seat never materialised, Courtney’s career took a sharp turn toward touring cars.

In 2005, he made his Supercars debut with Stone Brothers Racing, and by 2010, he became the first driver to win a Supercars Championship in a Ford since 1994, driving for Dick Johnson Racing. That victory — at just 30 years old — cemented his status as a national hero.

Since then, he’s raced for Team Sydney, Tickford Racing, and since 2021, Brad Jones Racing (BJR), where he continues to compete in the Gen3 era of Supercars.

What sets Courtney apart isn’t just his wins (he has 15 race victories to his name), but his personality. He’s known for his candid interviews, his love of rock music, and his willingness to challenge the status quo. In 2018, he famously wore a “F*ck It” helmet during a race — a moment that went viral and sparked debates about freedom of expression in motorsport.

“I’m not here to be a robot,” Courtney told Auto Action in 2022. “I race hard, I speak my mind, and I love what I do. That’s what keeps me coming back.”

Why the Gold Coast 500 Matters for Courtney

The Gold Coast 500 isn’t just another race — it’s a cultural institution. Since 1994, the event has drawn hundreds of thousands of fans, transforming Surfers Paradise into a motorsport mecca for three days. For drivers like Courtney, who grew up idolising legends like Peter Brock and Mark Skaife, racing here is about legacy.

For Courtney specifically, the Gold Coast holds special significance. It was here in 2012 that he secured a podium finish with Team Sydney, and in 2015, he delivered a stunning last-lap overtake on Shane van Gisbergen — a move still replayed in Supercars highlight reels.

This year’s event was particularly important for BJR. As one of the independent teams in the championship, they’ve been working hard to close the gap with factory-backed outfits like Triple Eight and Tickford. Courtney’s consistent finishes — including a top-10 result in Race 1 — helped the team score valuable championship points.

“James brings more than just speed,” said Brad Jones, team owner. “He’s a mentor to our younger drivers, a leader in the garage, and a fan favourite. He’s the complete package.”

The Broader Context: Courtney in the Gen3 Era

The 2025 season marks the fourth year of the Gen3 regulations, a major overhaul designed to reduce costs, improve competition, and attract new manufacturers. The new cars — based on the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro — are lighter, more powerful, and more reliant on driver input than their predecessors.

For veteran drivers like Courtney, the transition has been both a challenge and an opportunity. While the younger generation, including Broc Feeney and Will Brown, have adapted quickly, Courtney has used his experience to stay competitive.

“The Gen3 cars are a different beast,” he explained. “They’re more sensitive to setup, and the racing is tighter. But that’s what I love — it rewards precision and consistency.”

Data from the 2025 season shows that drivers over 40 have outperformed expectations, with Courtney, Chaz Mostert, and David Reynolds all securing multiple top-10 finishes. This suggests that experience is still a valuable asset in the modern era of Supercars.

Still, the sport is evolving. With electric and hybrid technologies on the horizon, and younger fans drawn to digital content and sim racing, the challenge for veterans is to stay relevant — both on track and in the public eye.

Courtney has embraced this shift. He’s active on social media, regularly posting behind-the-scenes content from race weekends. He’s also involved in junior development programs, mentoring young drivers through BJR’s academy.

“I want to leave the sport in a better place than I found it,” he said. “That means helping the next generation, but also making sure fans still connect with the human side of racing.”

Immediate Impact: What the Gold Coast 500 Means for BJR and the Championship

The 2025 Gold Coast 500 had significant implications beyond the track:

• Championship Standings: Courtney’s 11th and 8th place finishes moved him into the top 12 in the driver’s championship, a crucial milestone for securing end-of-season bonuses and sponsor incentives.
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