James Courtney's Options

[overflow]

With Toyota backing him is it in the realms of possibility that he could be given a spare seat at Minardi , similar to what Webber , Alonso & Wilson did or go to Formula Nippon for 2004......

[Adam43]

Good driver, but I'd be surprised if Toyota backroll him into Minardi. I suppose it might happen.

And will he get any F1 testing this year? Toyota already have Ricardo and Ryan.

It is possible this might be better served in Single Seaters, where there might be a better knowledge base. See how it goes.

[climb]

The most important thing is having got such support from Toyota (despite having lost Macau for a puncture, he proved the best).
After that, well, spending one more year here or there is not that important to me.
2005 should be the year of thruth, and I wish him all the best.

[darcym]

James, has a good ammount of F1 Experience, he has good F3 exp, 2 years in British and 1 year in Jap, he has a little Nippon, with that sort of CV, he either needs

a.) A test role with a BIG team (doubftul to happen)
b.) A full seasons Nippon which he must finish 1st or 2nd really to back up his previous exp
c.) A Drive at Minardi to prove his racing ablity in F1
d.) A drive with ANY F1 team (unlikly at the moment)

Another year of F3, or Testing for a low end team will not really further his career.

[overflow]

If not into F1 , either as a driver or tester , then what are his options...couldn't stay another year in F3 , a complete waste of talent & time...any other suggestions out there

[darcym]

I did say Nippon too

[alonso11]

Courtney stays in Japan for 2004.He will drive Team LeMans' Lola B3/51 in Nippon and a Toyota Supra in the Japanese GT championship (also for Team LeMans).


At the same time Briscoe won't race anywhere in 2004 and will concentrate on his F1 testing duties that will include occasional friday testings also (not on every GP's friday)

[mac]

I'd love to see Stoddy give Courtney a shot, but as previously mentioned, he would need Toyota to bankroll him (much like Renault did Webber), as he brings absolutely nothing in dollar terms.

alonso11 is right - Nippon and Jap GT.

[Russfeld]

I think his Toyota 'support' is a little overexaggerated.

With a lot of money, and equal amounts of luck, he might be able to pull off a Firman in a few years. And Firman was a Brit F3 and Nippon champ.

[high contrast]

I've watched JC since he was in go-karts hes good but not anything special, he also has a rival 'in' at Toyota in the shape of Ryan Briscoe.

I don't think Stoddard with his lack of budget to develop his car is the place to be for a young driver to prove anything to anyone at the moment! Mores the pity as his team has played an important part as a nursery team for fresh talent in the past.

[BootsOntheSide]

Originally posted by high contrast
I don't think Stoddard with his lack of budget to develop his car is the place to be for a young driver to prove anything to anyone at the moment! Mores the pity as his team has played an important part as a nursery team for fresh talent in the past.

Minardi have had similar problems in the past, and drivers who've gone there have proved themselves - Alonso, Webber and Wilson certainly have. Yoong, Davidson and Marques didn't, but perhaps they weren't up to the task.

If the team's struggling, people's perceptions of how it will do are lower than they ought to be, which can make a yougnster look more impressive, especially if he's matching or beating an experienced team-mate.

[sonic]

I can't believe i'm reading the names Yoong, Davidson and Marques in the same sentence...sigh. anyway.

I think the issue faced by Courtney is one faced by many young drivers since the demise of IndyCar proper.

In a recent 'ask nigel' on autosport Roebuck suggested that he felt testing with an F1 team was the only real option.

F3000s - don't have enough grip / downforce
F3 - well hes done F3 now really hasn't he
IRL - err 'nuff said.

Frankly if I was lucky enough to be in Courtney's position I'd go and race NASCAR - make millions of dollars and then retire to Oz to race at Bathurst once a year!

[Russfeld]

The problem with F3k isnt the grip level, but that you dont learn anything new. When F3k had its glory year of 99 with the 40 cars or whatever, it was excellent because you could see who was of mighty talent. Not with 16 cars, and even in the years with 22-24, there's just no point. If you havent done enough by the end of your F3 career, there's nothing you can really do in F3000 to make up the difference.

[BootsOntheSide]

Originally posted by sonic
I think the issue faced by Courtney is one faced by many young drivers since the demise of IndyCar proper.

I'm not sure about the 'demise' of CART. It may have a reduced schedule and a new name for 2004, but I'm confident something will be out there, although tehre may not be many topline rookies getting a chance other than Wirdheim at Patrick. In 2003 Manning and Bourdais have improved their CVs, as have Haberfeld and Montiero to an extent, so don't write it off yet.

Besides, CART isn't a traditional route into F1. The problem has been the demise of F3000 over the last decade, particaularly the last 5 years. The amount of rival championships, coupled with the fact that F3000 cars are so different to F1 and the racing isn't simialr enough, with little testing time and too much of a premium on experience, means that teams are reluctant to sign its ebst drivers - even the champions.

IRL would be useless as a stepping stone to F1, in the short term. However, it's a great career option in itself now, and don't forget that they expect to have 4 road courses (more if CART/OWRS does fold) for 2005.

[sonic]

Originally posted by BootsOntheSide
I'm not sure about the 'demise' of CART.

Do we have a different definition of the word demise or something?! Basically it ain't as good as it was. reduced schedule, reduced manufacturer involvment, and a big rival series to content with. it simply isn't held in as high regard as when Montoya, Villenueve, and Mansell were in it and for a young driver that means it ain't the place to showcase your talent.

So you win CART - so you've beaten big fat old has-been Paul Tracy - so what?

CART isn't a traditional route into F1.

Is there even such a thing these days? big schuey came from Sports cars, Montoya from Indycar, Kimi from Formula Renault, Alonso Nissan, Firman Nippon, Sato and Button F3, etc.

I guess if you had to think of the perfect stepping stone it would have the following ingredients: a combination of quality opposition, subsequent crushing dominance of them, great publicity so everyone gets to hear about it.

[racingdad]

Originally posted by alonso11
Courtney stays in Japan for 2004.He will drive Team LeMans' Lola B3/51 in Nippon and a Toyota Supra in the Japanese GT championship (also for Team LeMans).

Alonso11 is right - this is factual, correct and actual

[The Arbitrator]

I've watched JC since he was in go-karts hes good but not anything special, he also has a rival 'in' at Toyota in the shape of Ryan Briscoe.

As Loathe as I am to get involved, in discussion and debate on forums such as these, there are times when one is spurred into action. This is one of those occasions

EDIT. Attack the post, not the poster. please read the forum rules http://tentenths.com/forum/misc.php?...ge=1#behaviour Thank you.

James Courtney started Karting in Australia as an 8 year old and after winning many Titles and Championships in his homeland was at 14 years old plucked from the relative obscurity of his domestic environment by the Italian Tony Kart factory to participate in the 5 Nations Trophy (Junior World Championship) in Portugal. That was in 1995; from the moment Courtney arrived he was the driver to beat. He topped the time sheets in every practice and qualifying session won and led every lap of the heats, the Pre Final and the Final.

Following his stunning effort in Portugal Courtney was signed to drive for the Italian outfit and made his debut for them as a senior in ‘96. He backed up his junior triumph with a totally dominant victory in the ’97 Formula ‘A’ world Championship held at Salbris in France. Moving to car racing in ’99 Courtney claimed victory in the 2000 British Formula Ford Championships and immediately moved to the British Formula 3 series.

Signed by the outwardly well funded and well supported but inwardly totally unorganized and floundering Jaguar Formula One outfit Courtney seemed on the fast track to F1 stardom. It was just another sunny Italian day at the famous Monza when James Courtney’s world started to unravel Comfortably leading the 2002 British F3 series, his future seemingly assured the looming disaster would have been the last thing on James’ mind as he rocketed toward the Ascari bends at over 320 kilometers per hour in the F1 Jaguar. The drive was his reward for his thus far dominant performance in the Brit F3 series.

Some reward, a rear suspension failure saw James pitched into the safety barriers at over 300 K’s. The injuries he sustained subsequently cost Courtney the F3 title and Jaguar (Ford) decided not to take up there option on his services for 2003.

These events would be enough to seriously dent the resolve and self belief of many but to his credit James Courtney regrouped and found himself a ride in the Japanese F3 series a series he totally dominated. He capped that off with an absolute starring role at the recent Macau Grand Prix where he clearly demonstrated he is the class of the Formula 3 fraternity world wide.

Just where James goes from here is still unsure, let’s just hope that someone out there realizes that he is an extraordinary talent.

“Nothing Special Indeed”

[racingdad]

Take it your a fan then, The Abitrator???

[overflow]

Arbitrator , I await the replies from the doubters with interest...there are a few of us left that recognise genuine talent ....

[aussie_f3]

Love your work Arbitrator!!!....I've tried to say that myself but never so eloquently!!

[Mackmot]

I think Arbitrator is exactly right

[AussieGuns]

A man after my own heart....well said Arbitrator, you are spot on! Go JC!!

[The Arbitrator]

Wow!!!! Never realised that a small bit of personal venting could create such a response. Firstly let me take this opportunity to apologise to the forum for breaking the rules. I must admit that my interpretation of the rules was “to do unto others”. I do and always will accept that making comment in an environment such as this, does and should open you to scrutiny and criticism.

Having said that, after reading the rules (As I should have before I registered) I will accept I broke them.

However given all the above, it still doesn’t change the fact that for anyone to say that a Race Driver that can boast the C.V. that Courtney can is “nothing special” reeks of another form of unjustifiable personal attack. I guess that I felt I was trying to “create some balance grass hopper”

In all of this we should never forget that one of the most gifted drivers ever produced in the land down under is in real danger of never having the opportunity to demonstrate that ability on the appropriate stage. Given Australia’s appalling record in supporting our own in all sports and other fields of human endeavor during the process of “Trying to make it” and the almost obsessive fervor with which we jump on the band wagon when they do!! Maybe it was that philosophy I was really trying to attack

[Mackmot]

When I first met James I didnt know a thing about him, I was then paid to make Van Diemens first website and found out his whole career to that point and I was gobsmacked. His CV was amazing.

[overflow]

Go mackmot....good to see their are still fairminded poms willing to give credit where it is due...btw..England deserved the win in the world cup..they were the better side ....