V8 Supercars star James Courtney has been ruled out of this weekend’s Bathurst 1000.
Veteran Russell Ingall will replace 2010 V8 champ Courtney who has failed to receive a medical clearance for injuries sustained in a freak accident at August’s Sydney round.
Courtney suffered five broken ribs and a punctured lung when struck in pitlane by signage propelled by a low flying helicopter at Sydney.
“It’s our grand final. It’s the race that stops the nation – to be taken out through no fault of my own is massively annoying,” a shattered Courtney said.
Courtney had been trying to fast track his recovery by undergoing a procedure that sends electrical pulses to numb the nerve endings around his tender ribs.
Ingall will partner Jack Perkins.
Ingall, 51, came out of an eight-month retirement to fill in for Courtney at last month’s Sandown 500, nabbing a shock top-10 finish.
It will be the 24th “Great Race” for the two-time Bathurst winner.
The 2005 V8 champion claimed both Bathurst titles (1995, 1997) with Jack Perkins’ father – touring car great Larry.
Larry Perkins senior conquered the mountain six times – just three short of record holder, the legendary Peter Brock.
Perkins senior shares the record for most Bathurst podiums – 12.
Ingall looks set to return to Mount Panorama for one last hurrah but another familiar face won’t be.
This year’s Bathurst 1000 will mark the first time since 1975 that neither V8 great Dick Johnson or his son Steven will compete in the Great Race.
