Courtney joins Holden Racing Team

2010 V8 Supercar champion James Courtney will drive for the Holden Racing Team in a multi-year deal, the team has announced.

Courtney's future had been the subject of strong speculation after a change in ownership looked set to occur at Jim Beam Racing around the time of the Bathurst 1000 endurance event.

That deal fell through, but with Charlie Schwerkolt selling his stake in the team last week, Courtney's contract with Jim Beam Racing was no longer in effect and he took the opportunity to sign for the factory Holden team.

It is the second year in a row that a Holden will carry the #1 on the door after the driver won the title in a Ford, Jamie Whincup carrying #1 this year after Team Vodafone switched makes at the start of the season.

It will also be the second time in four years that a Holden Racing Team car has carried the #1 on its door after the driver won the title at another team, Courtney's HRT team-mate Garth Tander doing the same in 2008 after winning the title in 2007 with the Toll HSV Dealer Team.

Courtney will replace another former Jim Beam Racing driver at HRT, Will Davison, who struggled throughout 2010 after nearly winning the title in his first season with HRT in 2009.