Let's call a spade a spade, Ambrose's replacement is James Courtney (Confirmed)

ironside · 25 Oct 2005, 12:12 (Ref:1442982)

I hear on very good authority from an impeccable source. James Courtney is Ambrose's replacement and that same source reckons it will be announced in the next couple of weeks.

Courtney is rumoured to have signed a two year deal just days before Bathurst I'm told.

Must have made his weekend at Indy as HRT's guest a little uncomfortable?

I hear they found out just before the QLD event....

Oh well, all's fair in love and war and V8 racing as they say....

Congrats to James and good luck for next season (if it's all true ofcourse?)

Falcadore · 25 Oct 2005, 12:45 (Ref:1443012)

Mark Skaife specifically stated at Indy he believed Courtney would drive for HRT at the enduros next year. Skaife was given the perfect opportunity to rain on SBR's parade, but either a) he chose not to or b) Courtney can keep a secret (or lie to Skaife) better than a newspaper can or c) the rumour does not have legs.

Maybe there's a d)...

Average Punter · 25 Oct 2005, 12:54 (Ref:1443014)

There is!

d) Mr Moy is flogging a dead horse...

Aarrgh8 · 28 Oct 2005, 12:34 (Ref:1446015)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Average Punter

There is!

d) Mr Moy is flogging a dead horse...

I'll quote that back to you, Michael, in just a few days. Dave was/is right. No matter what your opinion is of the boy, I can assure you that Dave knows people in.. er, interesting positions, at the places where the James Courtney decision was made. One of the major decision makers posts on another popular site. Since Dave told me who he posts as, I've enjoyed this person's posts immensely. Just as interesting (which Dave didn't go into here), were Marcos' private comments about how SBR and the new boy will go next year. Just be thankful that SBR and Ford have got the best new talent to drive Supercars since, since, er.. Marcos, and I'm sure you'll get over the fact that Dave brought us the news. BTW, the deal was done just before Bathurst, and Dave knew then, but was unable to post it.

sizzle · 30 Oct 2005, 06:08 (Ref:1447251)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aarrgh8

I'll quote that back to you, Michael, in just a few days. Dave was/is right. No matter what your opinion is of the boy, I can assure you that Dave knows people in.. er, interesting positions, at the places where the James Courtney decision was made. One of the major decision makers posts on another popular site. Since Dave told me who he posts as, I've enjoyed this person's posts immensely. Just as interesting (which Dave didn't go into here), were Marcos' private comments about how SBR and the new boy will go next year. Just be thankful that SBR and Ford have got the best new talent to drive Supercars since, since, er.. Marcos, and I'm sure you'll get over the fact that Dave brought us the news. BTW, the deal was done just before Bathurst, and Dave knew then, but was unable to post it.

Maybe some humble pie around to be eaten then.

Average Punter · 30 Oct 2005, 11:49 (Ref:1447418)

Quote:

Originally Posted by sizzle

Maybe some humble pie around to be eaten then

Well dish it up!

And could I have fries with that?

D.R.T. · 25 Oct 2005, 13:02 (Ref:1443021)

Lets hope that it is untrue and Mr Courtney continues his international racing career.

Aarrgh8 · 25 Oct 2005, 13:16 (Ref:1443032)

You can rule out (d) - sorry, Michael.

Raglanparade · 25 Oct 2005, 13:56 (Ref:1443061)

Courtney will be in the V8's next season.

Guest · 25 Oct 2005, 14:19 (Ref:1443082)

Myabe Hotdogs will have the answer to this one on the Uplate Gameshow!

williamsf1 · 25 Oct 2005, 14:20 (Ref:1443083)

yeah a V8 supra maybe

ironside · 25 Oct 2005, 21:00 (Ref:1443365)

Courtney has no contract for the enduros with HRT next year, so (not having heard Skaife's remarks), I'd find it difficult to believe.

Skaife may have simply been playing the game and said that he'd like Courtney to race for them in the enduros next year.

I can assure you that he knows about the Courtney signing.

Time will tell if the rumour is correct.

Whilst some are fast to dimsiss it and scoff at Moy's prediction (based on some pretty solid inside info I'm told), few have offered a sensible and realistic alternative to fill the vacant SBR seat......

Falcadore · 25 Oct 2005, 21:19 (Ref:1443384)

Skaife said he expected Courtney to dribe for him and had an informal arrangement. Why does Skaife have to publicly keep SBRs secrets? What obligation does he have to cover for Courtney in such a manner when the direct question was put to him at the press conference?

Spunky · 25 Oct 2005, 22:41 (Ref:1443441)

There are other drivers I would of prefered to of seen get this seat, but Ironside is correct here.

Raglanparade · 25 Oct 2005, 23:01 (Ref:1443452)

Now... if this proves to be true... would it be enough to send Ingall to 888 with Lowndes ???

Remember, Ford pay Ingall's wage, not SBR, as a result, Ingall would be allowed to pick any remaining Ford seat.

It would not be beyond the realms of possibility that if Courtney were signed for SBR, Ingall may move to the clearly faster Ford team that is 888. It seems that SBR have lost their way slightly in the latter half of this year, and we all know that 888 is backed by Prodrive.

SBR could move to a fresh for 2006 Line-up, with Courtney in the #4 car, and either Canto/Jason Richards/Whincup in the #9 car.

HDTVKSS · 25 Oct 2005, 23:22 (Ref:1443462)

[QUOTE=jasonhill9884] and we all know that 888 is backed by Prodrive.
QUOTE]

close.... 888 is backed by 888. FPR is prodrive....

Conrod Kieron · 25 Oct 2005, 23:20 (Ref:1443460)

Was Skaife asked about Courtney Falc? if so and he knows Cortney is in an SBR seat, i'd suggest he was put in an akward spot, it wouldn't look too good to say he knew Courtney was driving an SBR car hot of the Bathurst/Sandown drive and with him as guest in the red tent.

Jason, 888 are backed by 888 Engineering, Prodrive mess about with FPR

retro · 26 Oct 2005, 01:39 (Ref:1443514)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Conrod Kieron

Was Skaife asked about Courtney Falc? if so and he knows Cortney is in an SBR seat, i'd suggest he was put in an akward spot, it wouldn't look too good to say he knew Courtney was driving an SBR car hot of the Bathurst/Sandown drive and with him as guest in the red tent.

Jason, 888 are backed by 888 Engineering, Prodrive mess about with FPR

spud.. he didn't look like he was in an akward spot... he was asked about Courtney for next year and he said he thought he was going to race in Japan and do the Enduro's with HRT. Skaife went on to say he didn't have a contract just a verball agreement but was *waiting on confirmation*

Reading between the lines Courtney has told Skaife he has decisions to make.

falc.. did you get the Lowndes comment on the empty seat...Lowndes saying we have made the first decision (unloading Ellery) and we expect to make another decision soon (on the replacement).
The way it came out it wasn't what Ellery would have liked.

spectator22 · 25 Oct 2005, 23:55 (Ref:1443486)

MN today says NO DEAL on Courtney, yet. Quotes Courtneys manager Gow who says 2 options in Japan, 2 in Australia, no decision yet.

ironside · 26 Oct 2005, 07:25 (Ref:1443625)

Quote:

Originally Posted by spectator22

MN today says NO DEAL on Courtney, yet. Quotes Courtneys manager Gow who says 2 options in Japan, 2 in Australia, no decision yet.

Gow also said that our V8's were dinosaurs and would be dead by the year 2000.

So he's hardly an impeccable source of information.

As Courtney's manager he is compelled to do what's right for James and the team he has signed to and as such it might simply not be either's desire to make an announcement just yet.

Courtney's Japanese drives might be 'options', but there's no signed contract as yet.

I'd suggest that Gow and SBR need to keep everyone guessing and if Gow said that Courtney had no options in Japan then it certainly limits speculation considerably on what he'd be doing next season.

I also think that the '2 options in Australia' is a big smokescreen.

He'll be in an SBR car next season, mark my words...

billy bigtime · 26 Oct 2005, 00:25 (Ref:1443497)

I believe Dave Moy(ironside) is correct.

Peregrine · 26 Oct 2005, 23:58 (Ref:1444610)

Perhaps Courntney's move to SBR is part of a "grand plan" for Toyota to join the series with SBR (once their Ford contract runs out). By this time Courtney should be a well established star and perhaps even have the #1 to put on the side of his shiny new SBR Avalon V8 Supercar ?

dynamik gal · 28 Oct 2005, 07:07 (Ref:1445741)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peregrine

Perhaps Courntney's move to SBR is part of a "grand plan" for Toyota to join the series with SBR (once their Ford contract runs out). By this time Courtney should be a well established star and perhaps even have the #1 to put on the side of his shiny new SBR Avalon V8 Supercar ?

I doubt that SBR would go to Toyota, they would then make Toyota engines and I doubt that all the teams they are contracted to build engines for would also want to run Toyota engines, or advertedly Toyota wouldn't want SBR to continue building Ford engines for everyone else.

billy bigtime · 30 Oct 2005, 07:49 (Ref:1447281)

Tricky said it would be Courtney a month ago on Central. Where does he get his info. from

KE30MAN · 26 Oct 2005, 01:22 (Ref:1443510)

James should persue his international aspirations. He has more potential than Briscoe in my opinion.

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