It felt great to win the final race of the V8 Supercar Championship in
Sydney last Sunday (December 6), especially at such a big event.

The new Sydney 500 at Homebush was a huge success, attracting 184,856
spectators to watch us race on the streets around the 2000 Sydney
Olympic Games stadium.

I led 54 of the 74 laps in the second race and my win was very
satisfying for everyone at Jim Beam Racing, and my personal sponsors
JELD-WEN and I, because we have all worked extremely hard this year.

The victory helped make up for some of my disappointment the previous
day for finishing 17th in the first race at Homebush.

I was a comfortable third mid-race, but then a door latch broke on my FG
Falcon and I had to make two extra pit-stops for repairs and dropped
back in the field.

My results in the two 250km races were worth a total of 204 points,
which lifted me from eighth to seventh in the championship.

V8 Supercars Australia spent many years lobbying the NSW Government for
a street race in Sydney, and the event proved to be a 'win-win' for both
parties.

It provided V8SA, plus the teams and their sponsors with an opportunity
to showcase our sport to a wider audience and bigger crowds than before.

For example, the spectator figure over three days at Homebush was much
bigger than we had in 2008 championship events at permanent Sydney
tracks Eastern Creek (28,511) and Oran Park (59,140).

Since the Olympic Games nine years ago the facilities at Homebush have
not been used that often, apart from football and other events at ANZ
Stadium.

From what I've heard the NSW Government were pleased the final event of
the V8 Supercar Championship created new business for both the complex
and the surrounding areas.

The indoor pit area at Homebush was an amazing set-up that created a
point of difference compared to our other events.

It was popular with the fans because they could see the teams working on
cars more than usual, and it was also more comfortable for them being
inside and out of the sun.

The 3.4km track was designed to create exciting racing and it achieved
that. In my opinion this was arguably the toughest circuit we raced on
all year because it had no real flow and tested the concentration of the
drivers.

During the event there were many incidents at Turn 8. I glanced it a few
times, but fortunately I didn't bury myself in it like many others.

I was reasonably confident of being competitive at Homebush after
winning a race on the new Townsville street circuit in July.

In qualifying before race one I was third fastest, but in the Top 10
Shoot Out I dropped back to eighth after we ran with a 'used tyre'. We
thought this would be the best option, but it wasn't.

I dropped some positions in the opening laps of the first race, but then
started moving forward. By lap 50 I was third, behind Garth Tander
(Holden Racing Team) and Mark Winterbottom (Ford Performance Racing).
Then I had the problem with the door which ended my podium chances.

The first race was a challenge for me because I arrived at the track
with a sick stomach. I visited the Medical Centre which helped settle
things. During the race I had drunk everything in my fluid bottle with
20 laps to go. Usually I only drink half that much.

The next day I qualified second for race two with a quick lap near the
end of the session.

On the first lap I of the second race I was initially second behind Lee
Holdsworth (Gary Rogers Motorsport Commodore), but I was able to pass
him and take the lead.

Lee seemed to have a fast car, but then he crashed. Jason Bright
(Fujitsu Falcon) passed me after a Safety Car period because we were
struggling to get heat into the tyres.

However, he had to make an extra pit-stop after making contact with
another car in pit-lane, which put me back in the lead again. Michael
Caruso (Gary Rogers Motorsport Commodore) chased me to the finish, but I
managed to stay in front and take the win.

My wife Carys and daughter Zara were at the track so it was great they
were able to share the 'winning feeling' with me.

Before Homebush I travelled to England with Carys to attend the wedding
of my good friend, Marino Franchitti, to Holly Mason, daughter of Pink
Floyd drummer Nick Mason.

Marino is the younger brother of Indycar champion and 2007 Indy 500
winner Dario Franchitti, and was my best man when Carys and I were
married in 2005.

The wedding in England was amazing. The reception was held at Nick
Mason's airfield. They had an air show with 'wing walkers' doing display
routines.

Nick Mason also collects all types of cars. Among them is a 250 GTO
Ferrari which raced at Le Mans in the 1960s - apparently it's worth many
millions of dollars, and Marino drove away from the wedding in it.

Now that the V8 Supercar season has finished I'm looking forward to
relaxing at home over the next few weeks.

Carys and I are expecting our second child in February so we are looking
forward to that. The 2010 season will start in February with an overseas
double-header in Abu Dhabi and Bahrain so it's going to be a busy time.

Finally, thanks to everyone for their support during the past year, and
best wishes for Christmas and the New Year festive season period.

Keep smiling.

JC

SYDNEY RESULTS - JAMES COURTNEY
EVENT 14, V8 Supercar Championship, (December 4-6)

Qualifying - Race 1: 3rd
Top 10 Shoot Out: 8th
Race 1 Result: 17th
Qualifying - Race 2: 2nd
Race 2 Result: 1st

CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS (after event 14): Jamie Whincup (Ford) 3,349; Will
Davison (Holden) 3,044; Garth Tander (Holden) 2,916; Craig Lowndes
(Ford) 2,592; Mark Winterbottom (Ford) 2,414; Steven Johnson (Ford)
2,255; James Courtney (Ford) 2,192; Rick Kelly (Holden) 2,162; Russell
Ingall (Holden) 2,048; Lee Holdsworth (Holden) 2,006