James Courtney is looking to go one better after a podium finish at Sandown, and bag his first Bathurst win this weekend.
“We’re not here to come second, we’re here to win the thing,” Courtney said at Mount Panorama, with the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 set to kick off tomorrow.
The Holden Racing Team has been going from strength to strength this season, Courtney having racked up wins at the Clipsal 500 and Queensland Raceway, as well as a handful of podium finishes and two ARMOR ALL Pole Positions.
This weekend at Bathurst, he once again pairs with four-time winner Greg Murphy – and this time, it has started with a second place at Sandown, rather than the battle through to fifth they faced last year.
“Murph did a sensational job at Sandown, amazing car speed out of the whole thing and it’s a shame we just had those lapped cars (in the closing stages) that we couldn’t pressure Jamie and have a crack at the win,” Courtney said.
“But I’d much rather win this one than that one, so we’re working hard this weekend to get this sorted.”
Many in pit lane are labeling HRT, along with Red Bull Racing, favourites for the win this weekend – something Courtney is understandably pleased about.
“The moment everyone else sees us as a threat, we’re ticking boxes already. It’s a good feeling to come in with so much speed and confidence within our group and I can’t wait to get out on track and justify it.”
However, Red Bull are threatening as always, and Courtney noted a number of challengers he and Murphy will need to top on Sunday.
“I think the normal contenders are going to be up the front and going quick,” he said.
“But we really won’t see anyone’s speed legitimately until qualifying time because people will be running higher fuel loads and all different sorts of strategies depending on what sort of tyres they’ve got as well.
“The Volvos are probably going to be quick, but probably it’s biggest question mark is over the reliability of the thing – maybe Tekno with Jono Webb and van Gibsergen.”
