The Holden Racing Team’s James Courtney will not be driving at his pet event, V8 Supercars’ season-ending Sydney 500 at Homebush on 6-8 December.

The 2010 V8 Supercars Champion was injured in a spectacular crash in the first race for the Sargent Security Phillip Island 360 last Saturday.

Courtney’s HRT Commodore was impacted heavily on the driver’s side by Alex Premat’s car, which had left the circuit at high speed due to a tyre puncture. Premat assisted Courtney from his car.

Both drivers were taken to the circuit medical centre and underwent immediate examination, with both later released.

Courtney returned home to the Gold Coast Sunday morning and on medical advice from Dr Carl Lee, V8 Supercars Medical Delegate, underwent further examinations yesterday with an MRI scan revealing a fractured tibia and a tear in his right-side quad muscle.

Although this means that James will be on crutches for the next six weeks, his injury will fully heal in plenty of time for the new season. He plans to attend the Sydney 500 which he won the Championship at in 2010 to support the team and his favourite event.

“The scan showed a fracture to my tibia, and a tear in my quad muscle. It’s quite painful but I’m doing alright and it’s good to know what the damage is,” Courtney said.

“Unfortunately I won’t be racing at the Sydney 500, it’s my hometown race and always exciting. Being a racer I would be out there right now if I could but it’s better to get the recovery process started so I come back firing on all eight cylinders next season.”

Holden Racing Team Managing Director Steve Hallam said Courtney’s recovery was his and the team’s number one priority.

“Our immediate concern is for James and while we understand he is disappointed to be missing the Sydney 500 on doctor’s advice we are firm in that it is best for him to focus entirely on his recovery,” Hallam said.

“Nick Percat will replace James for the event. Nick has a long history with the Holden Racing Team and Walkinshaw Racing and we appreciate Nick making himself available.”

Percat drove for the Holden Racing Team alongside Garth Tander during this season’s PIRTEK Enduro Cup and won Bathurst with Tander in an HRT Commodore in 2011.

HRT is undergoing a test day at Winton Raceway in Victoria today.