James Courtney/ Rob Austin

speedracergirl · 14 Apr 2005, 21:41 (Ref:1278400)

Does anyone knwo what happened to either James Courtney or Rob Austin? Both use to race in the British F3 series two years ago. Are they both still racing does anyone know? I had heard Courtney was out in Japan, and Austin was racing Seat. Could anyone fill me in. Cheers all

flexible-flyer · 14 Apr 2005, 21:46 (Ref:1278405)

far as i know, courney is racing japanese sportscars. austin seems content racing british track weekends. i say content, he is probably (proper) broke. shame because he came into british f3 for a few races and embarrased many....and also reminded me of keke rosberg with the smoking and all that!

speedracergirl · 14 Apr 2005, 21:49 (Ref:1278406)

Quote:

Originally Posted by flexible-flyer

he is probably (proper) broke. shame because he came into british f3 for a few races and embarrased many.

What do you mean by embassed and proper broke

mac · 14 Apr 2005, 23:49 (Ref:1278440)

James is driving Toyota's lead Super GT car (formerly Japanese GT Championship). He finished second in the first round and is considered a strong title chance.

He will also drive in the two V8Supercar endurance events - the Sandown 500 and the Bathurst 1000 - for the factory Holden team, Holden Racing Team.

In V8Supercars, they believe that HRT are grooming him to become a full time driver for the team. However, James has always said he wanted to exhaust his opportunities overseas before he came back. The truth probably lies somewhere in the middle.

It would be a shame, as James is one of the most talented drivers Australia has ever sent overseas.

To think, just over a year ago he was cruising to victory in Macau when he got a puncture.

flexible-flyer · 15 Apr 2005, 05:01 (Ref:1278527)

Quote:

Originally Posted by speedracergirl

What do you mean by embassed and proper broke

well, when he came back to british f3 he was instantly the fastest driver the menu team had had all season, and was at the front end from the word go. proper broke is when you are without enough money to go racing internationally i guess...

DSM · 15 Apr 2005, 08:54 (Ref:1278669)

Quote:

Originally Posted by flexible-flyer

well, when he came back to british f3 he was instantly the fastest driver the menu team had had all season, and was at the front end from the word go. proper broke is when you are without enough money to go racing internationally i guess...

Fact is that Rob had oodles of experience in F3 before he started winning, although the races he won, he won fair and square and didn't luck into.

As for being broke, Daddy used to pay for the racing and has stopped doing so because, I understand, of some disagreement they had.

flexible-flyer · 15 Apr 2005, 18:03 (Ref:1279105)

interesting. shame because rob, while never consitently at the top despite so many years racing, was bloody quick. he even tested a f3000 over the winter and stunned the team owner with his speed!

RSportRacer · 17 Apr 2005, 05:59 (Ref:1280002)

He was racing a Mini Cooper at Donny his father was in a Ginetta...

kartingdad · 17 Apr 2005, 10:23 (Ref:1280174)

No thats a different Rob Austin in the Mini's.

strider · 17 Apr 2005, 22:21 (Ref:1280723)

He seems to be acting as a driver coach for Menu, lending a hand with Stephen Jelley.

newoutsider · 18 Apr 2005, 07:52 (Ref:1280951)

Rob Austin tried his hand at tintop racing last year with the Seat Cupra Copa in the UK and failed to shine imediately so left to go pot hunting in the Ginetta championship instead

Sato san · 18 Apr 2005, 18:14 (Ref:1281473)

yes , but he was very entertaining in the Ginetta championship ...good value .

also , he is due a lot of credit for the way he managed to adapt from a Ginetta to a Menu F3 car at the same meeting which he did for few rounds last year...That cant be an easy thing to do .

newoutsider · 19 Apr 2005, 06:36 (Ref:1281818)

"if you can drive, you can drive" a quote from Mario Andretti

speedracergirl · 19 Apr 2005, 12:50 (Ref:1282049)

So James is doing well for himself in Japan, u would have thought that boy would of had enough of Japan by now. Didn't he get married recently?
As for Rob, sounds like he is alittle all over the place, such a shame really he is a talented driver. I would have thought he might have headed over to Japan.

BennyBoy1978 · 19 Apr 2005, 13:30 (Ref:1282096)

Quote:

Originally Posted by speedracergirl

So James is doing well for himself in Japan, u would have thought that boy would of had enough of Japan by now. Didn't he get married recently?

Yeah but surely keeping the boys at Toyota sweet will be a good thing? or will it have no bearing on Toyota f1?

Will be intresting to see him in the holden though, been watching plenty of that on Motors TV

ejbabe · 19 Apr 2005, 16:29 (Ref:1282265)

Well, James courtney and Rob Austin, now that is two naughty little boy's that i had forgotten all about........... Those were the days...
Glad to hear that there still doing well in there own individual careers.
Benny, long time no hear from how's things??? Have u spoken to NEss recently?
Rob, if u read this messenger me, it would be cool to catch up sweetie x

mac · 19 Apr 2005, 22:24 (Ref:1282561)

Quote:

Originally Posted by speedracergirl

So James is doing well for himself in Japan, u would have thought that boy would of had enough of Japan by now. Didn't he get married recently?

Correct.

Also, James is actually based on Australia's Sunshine Coast. There couldn't be many better places to live if you ask me, either.

I reckon living on the Sunshine Coast with your new bride and travelling to Japan every now and then to drive fast GT cars, while getting paid handsomely is a pretty good way to go!

ejbabe · 19 Apr 2005, 22:48 (Ref:1282576)

James got married!! Good lad, i'm sure he will make a wonderfull husband.......
As for the sunshine coast coast, can't be bad. Life sounds good, certainly wipes the floor with borinG old/ Wet London.
So he is driving GT'S, What about when he is back in OZ or his he still contracted to Toyota Tom's???
Did he end up getting married to Cerys?? i think I met her once, a nice girl, dark hair.

mac · 19 Apr 2005, 23:01 (Ref:1282582)

He will be driving for Holden Racing Team (factory Holden team) at Bathurst and Sandown (the enduros) only in 2005.

I don't believe he is still contracted to TOMS - I am pretty sure Toyota placed him at his current team.

Word has it they want him as a full-time driver in 2006.

And yes, that's her.

ejbabe · 19 Apr 2005, 23:11 (Ref:1282589)

COOL, things are on the up. Good for him. Still i can't imagine him married.
still best of luck to him

mac · 19 Apr 2005, 23:52 (Ref:1282599)

When I said "they" want him for a full-time drive, I meant HRT.

BennyBoy1978 · 20 Apr 2005, 07:42 (Ref:1282722)

Well life can't be bad living on the sunshine coast and racing. What more could a guy ask for? Hmmm

Oh nope! his married now so I guess the embassy girls will have to stay where they are

ejbabe · 11 May 2005, 22:55 (Ref:1298761)

So does anyone know how Austin is getting on??Is he racing still?? I would have thought we might have seen him in the line up for the GP 2 Races this season. That boy has really talent when he wants, it would seem a shame to waste it.

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