V8 champion Courtney leaves DJR

V8 Supercar champion James Courtney's anticipated departure from Dick Johnson Racing
was confirmed on Monday.
The 30-year-old, who claimed his first V8 title on the streets of Sydney's Olympic
Park earlier this month, is believed to have signed a deal to race with the Holden
Racing Team next season.
While Courtney is yet to confirm the switch, if he does join HRT it means for the
second year in a row Ford will lose the champion driver to Holden.
"Winning the championship with Jim Beam Racing this year is obviously one of the
greatest highlights of my career so far," Courtney said in a statement.
"We've had some amazing highs and some lows in my two seasons with Dick's team - but
we came out on top and delivered a championship by taking on the 'big guys' and
beating them.
"But I never like sitting still and really feel it's time for a new challenge -
which will be revealed in the very near future. And it's important to note that
Dick, the team and myself have ended our professional relationship still with
genuine mutual respect and a continuing real friendship ... which is pretty unique
in this sport."
Courtney's title win came despite an ownership struggle within the team between
legendary ex-driver Johnson and co-owner Charlie Schwerkolt.
While Schwerkolt has since sold his share in the team to leave Johnson as a majority
owner, the dispute is believed to have made up Courtney's mind to seek a new home in
2011.
He was rumoured to have signed a deal to race under Schwerkolt in a fourth Ford
Performance Racing Falcon but that move has fallen through with the revelation he's
chosen to jump to join 2007 champion Garth Tander at HRT.
Johnson said that the while he was disappointed to lose the services of Courtney, he
wished him all the best for the future.
"It's a shame to see the winning combination broken up, however James has decided
that moving on is the best thing for him and his family and I respect that
decision," the three-time Bathurst champion said.
"The history books will show that James Courtney won the 2010 driver's championship
with Jim Beam Racing.
"He's added something wonderful to the team's history and for that we will always
hold him in the highest regard."
Johnson says Courtney's replacement in the team's No.18 Falcon will be announced
shortly although former FPR driver Steven Richards is considered the man most likely
to pick up the drive.