THURSDAY, MARCH 5: James Courtney has expanded his off-season fitness program in a bid to muscle his way to the front in the 2009 V8 Supercar Championship, which starts later this month.

"I'm feeling very motivated with a new team and I've upped my overall fitness work by about 30-percent compared to past years," said the Jim Beam Racing recruit.

"My weight is up by 2.5kg (to 72.5kg), and it's mostly from building up muscle from everything I've been doing."

Courtney, who drove for Stone Brothers Racing the past three years and finished sixth in the 2008 championship, will make his debut in the Jim Beam Racing FG Falcon in the opening event of this year's series in Adelaide from March 19-22.

During the summer months the 28-year-old from the Gold Coast has fine-tuned his fitness with a mixture of running, cycling 500km a week, plus gymnasium routines.

"It's been full-on, but I'm enjoying it," he said. "I've been busy running and working hard in the gym," said Courtney.

"The cycling has included some long rides, and also going up Mount Tamborine (altitude 525m), which is a tough, steep climb."

"Driving V8 Supercars is not a fitness competition, but the cars are heavy (1,355kg minimum weight) and good physical conditioning helps, especially at races like Adelaide and Darwin where it's hot."

The dual world karting champion and ex-Jaguar Formula One test driver said he expected to be competitive in the two 250km races in Adelaide.

"Speed-wise, Adelaide has been one of my best tracks in the past couple of years, and I can't wait to get started," said Courtney.

"It's exciting going back this year with a new car and new team. I'm up for it, and so is everyone else in our team."

Courtney qualified on pole position for the 2007 Clipsal 500, and finished second and third in the two races. He clocked the fastest lap in both races.

In 2008 he qualified second, and recorded the fastest lap in the first race. He crashed in the second race after contact with Craig Lowndes.

MEDIA ENQUIRIES: Mike Porter - Tel: (0417) 311-997. E-mail: mikep@qldnet.com.au

WEBSITE: http://www.jamescourtney.com.au

PHOTOGRAPHS: 300-dpi jpeg images of James Courtney running on the Gold Coast available for media/editorial use