Latest news with #Erebus
Courier-Mail
9 hours ago
- Automotive
- Courier-Mail
Supercars Darwin: Barry Ryan's frank verdict on fall of Erebus
Don't miss out on the headlines from Motorsport. Followed categories will be added to My News. Erebus chief executive Barry Ryan has offered a frank reflection on a crippling 18 months that has seen his title-winning team slip to last in the Supercars standings. After a fairytale start to the Gen3 era, which saw Erebus win both the drivers' and teams' titles in 2023, the squad has endured a string of well-publicised internal struggles. Will Brown defected to Triple Eight at the end of 2023, while reigning champion Brodie Kostecki missed the start of the 2024 season while in dispute with the team, which coincided with big name sponsors such as Coca-Cola walking away. Kostecki would later return and win the Bathurst 1000, however left to Dick Johnson Racing at the end of last season – along with both Erebus race engineers George Commins and Tom Moore. Will Brown left Erebus at the end of 2023. Picture: Brendan Radke Brodie Kostecki was another high-profile departure. Team principal Brad Tremain also left the squad at the end of 2024 with plans to pursue an opportunity in IndyCar in the US. That has prompted a significant, and ongoing, internal rebuild, highlighted by Ryan himself needing to take the race engineer role on Jack Le Brocq's car. It's been tough going for Le Brocq and rookie teammate Cooper Murray, too, with Erebus slumping to last in the teams' standings ahead of this weekend's Darwin Triple Crown. 'There's no hiding behind it; the last 18 months have been really hard on our team. Really hard,' said Ryan at Hidden Valley on Friday. 'Losing key people … our last rebuild was 2021 and we got Brodie and Will and no one believed, really, in that. And we won a championship two years later, and we won Bathurst the year after. X SUBSCRIBER ONLY 'We've gone back to where we were [in 2021]. 'It's hard on the team. To replace people like George, Tom and Brodie is really hard. Brad Tremain is going to kick goals in America. That's four key people out of the team, it's really tough to replace that. 'It's going to take time. We can't hide behind that. I can only do so much and the boys that I've had there for six, seven years can only do so much. 'Unfortunately I'm still race engineering, and I say that because I shouldn't be. I should be running the business. But until we can get the right person to do that role; we're trying to self-promote from within, we're trying to find an engineer we can just put in and be really successful. Cooper Murray was 11th in the second practice session in Darwin. 'It's a balancing act and I can't say I'm really enjoying it. We got to a point where we were beating Triple Eight and we wanted to be that team that was the best year in, year out. 'Massive respect to Roland Dane for what he did for that whole time he was there, and what they're still doing. We got there and we just couldn't keep the momentum. 'No matter what everyone thinks the reason is why. We just couldn't keep that momentum that teams like that can do. 'Anyway, it's a lesson learned, this whole situation. We'll try not to go through it again. 'We'll get there again. We're confident in our team. We've got a great bunch of loyal staff that want to stay on and want to see us get there again and win championships and Bathursts. 'We're still going to go to Bathurst trying to win there this year. We'll have the belief and we'll have the drivers than can do it.' Erebus showed signs of improvement on track on Friday, with Murray 11th in the second practice session and Le Brocq in 19th as Andre Heimgartner led the way for Brad Jones Racing ahead of Ryan Wood and Will Brown. This story was written by Speedcafe Originally published as Supercars Darwin: Barry Ryan's frank verdict on fall of Erebus
Daily Telegraph
14 hours ago
- Automotive
- Daily Telegraph
Supercars Darwin: Barry Ryan's frank verdict on fall of Erebus
Don't miss out on the headlines from Motorsport. Followed categories will be added to My News. Erebus chief executive Barry Ryan has offered a frank reflection on a crippling 18 months that has seen his title-winning team slip to last in the Supercars standings. After a fairytale start to the Gen3 era, which saw Erebus win both the drivers' and teams' titles in 2023, the squad has endured a string of well-publicised internal struggles. Will Brown defected to Triple Eight at the end of 2023, while reigning champion Brodie Kostecki missed the start of the 2024 season while in dispute with the team, which coincided with big name sponsors such as Coca-Cola walking away. Kostecki would later return and win the Bathurst 1000, however left to Dick Johnson Racing at the end of last season – along with both Erebus race engineers George Commins and Tom Moore. Will Brown left Erebus at the end of 2023. Picture: Brendan Radke Brodie Kostecki was another high-profile departure. Team principal Brad Tremain also left the squad at the end of 2024 with plans to pursue an opportunity in IndyCar in the US. That has prompted a significant, and ongoing, internal rebuild, highlighted by Ryan himself needing to take the race engineer role on Jack Le Brocq's car. It's been tough going for Le Brocq and rookie teammate Cooper Murray, too, with Erebus slumping to last in the teams' standings ahead of this weekend's Darwin Triple Crown. 'There's no hiding behind it; the last 18 months have been really hard on our team. Really hard,' said Ryan at Hidden Valley on Friday. 'Losing key people … our last rebuild was 2021 and we got Brodie and Will and no one believed, really, in that. And we won a championship two years later, and we won Bathurst the year after. 'We've gone back to where we were [in 2021]. 'It's hard on the team. To replace people like George, Tom and Brodie is really hard. Brad Tremain is going to kick goals in America. That's four key people out of the team, it's really tough to replace that. 'It's going to take time. We can't hide behind that. I can only do so much and the boys that I've had there for six, seven years can only do so much. 'Unfortunately I'm still race engineering, and I say that because I shouldn't be. I should be running the business. But until we can get the right person to do that role; we're trying to self-promote from within, we're trying to find an engineer we can just put in and be really successful. Cooper Murray was 11th in the second practice session in Darwin. 'It's a balancing act and I can't say I'm really enjoying it. We got to a point where we were beating Triple Eight and we wanted to be that team that was the best year in, year out. 'Massive respect to Roland Dane for what he did for that whole time he was there, and what they're still doing. We got there and we just couldn't keep the momentum. 'No matter what everyone thinks the reason is why. We just couldn't keep that momentum that teams like that can do. 'Anyway, it's a lesson learned, this whole situation. We'll try not to go through it again. 'We'll get there again. We're confident in our team. We've got a great bunch of loyal staff that want to stay on and want to see us get there again and win championships and Bathursts. 'We're still going to go to Bathurst trying to win there this year. We'll have the belief and we'll have the drivers than can do it.' Erebus showed signs of improvement on track on Friday, with Murray 11th in the second practice session and Le Brocq in 19th as Andre Heimgartner led the way for Brad Jones Racing ahead of Ryan Wood and Will Brown. This story was written by Speedcafe Originally published as Supercars Darwin: Barry Ryan's frank verdict on fall of Erebus
News.com.au
15 hours ago
- Automotive
- News.com.au
Supercars Darwin: Barry Ryan's frank verdict on fall of Erebus
Erebus chief executive Barry Ryan has offered a frank reflection on a crippling 18 months that has seen his title-winning team slip to last in the Supercars standings. After a fairytale start to the Gen3 era, which saw Erebus win both the drivers' and teams' titles in 2023, the squad has endured a string of well-publicised internal struggles. Will Brown defected to Triple Eight at the end of 2023, while reigning champion Brodie Kostecki missed the start of the 2024 season while in dispute with the team, which coincided with big name sponsors such as Coca-Cola walking away. Kostecki would later return and win the Bathurst 1000, however left to Dick Johnson Racing at the end of last season – along with both Erebus race engineers George Commins and Tom Moore. Team principal Brad Tremain also left the squad at the end of 2024 with plans to pursue an opportunity in IndyCar in the US. That has prompted a significant, and ongoing, internal rebuild, highlighted by Ryan himself needing to take the race engineer role on Jack Le Brocq's car. It's been tough going for Le Brocq and rookie teammate Cooper Murray, too, with Erebus slumping to last in the teams' standings ahead of this weekend's Darwin Triple Crown. 'There's no hiding behind it; the last 18 months have been really hard on our team. Really hard,' said Ryan at Hidden Valley on Friday. 'Losing key people … our last rebuild was 2021 and we got Brodie and Will and no one believed, really, in that. And we won a championship two years later, and we won Bathurst the year after. 'We've gone back to where we were [in 2021]. 'It's hard on the team. To replace people like George, Tom and Brodie is really hard. Brad Tremain is going to kick goals in America. That's four key people out of the team, it's really tough to replace that. 'It's going to take time. We can't hide behind that. I can only do so much and the boys that I've had there for six, seven years can only do so much. 'Unfortunately I'm still race engineering, and I say that because I shouldn't be. I should be running the business. But until we can get the right person to do that role; we're trying to self-promote from within, we're trying to find an engineer we can just put in and be really successful. 'It's a balancing act and I can't say I'm really enjoying it. We got to a point where we were beating Triple Eight and we wanted to be that team that was the best year in, year out. 'Massive respect to Roland Dane for what he did for that whole time he was there, and what they're still doing. We got there and we just couldn't keep the momentum. 'No matter what everyone thinks the reason is why. We just couldn't keep that momentum that teams like that can do. 'Anyway, it's a lesson learned, this whole situation. We'll try not to go through it again. 'We'll get there again. We're confident in our team. We've got a great bunch of loyal staff that want to stay on and want to see us get there again and win championships and Bathursts. 'We're still going to go to Bathurst trying to win there this year. We'll have the belief and we'll have the drivers than can do it.' Erebus showed signs of improvement on track on Friday, with Murray 11th in the second practice session and Le Brocq in 19th as Andre Heimgartner led the way for Brad Jones Racing ahead of Ryan Wood and Will Brown.
NZ Herald
a day ago
- Business
- NZ Herald
Mahi with Māori: commercial development projects that succeeded, struggled or failed
They show situations where developers either worked with tangata whenua, or places where there was trouble. At the end, two experts offer commentary on what they see as guides for success and what must happen for projects to work. Precinct and Ngāti Whātua Ōrakei - Pumanawa Downtown West The twin tower development is guided by tīkanga Māori, the developers said when they released plans this year. Photo: Supplied / Precinct Properties NZX-listed Precinct Properties and Ngāti Whātua Ōrakei formed a partnership which could see the pair go sky high. Two towers, one a quarter of a kilometre high, are being planned in a multibillion-dollar exercise. Ngarimu Blair, Ngāti Whātua Ōrakei Trust board deputy chairman, says the two have a shared goal to create a great CBD in the city and region. Ngarimu Blair tells why the relationship works. Photo / Mike Scott 'Precinct, like us, are invested in the waterfront and the CBD,' Blair says. Luxury golf courses at Te Arai: Te Uri O Hau and Ngāti Manuhiri Developers John Darby and George Kerr did the initial work. Then American billionaire Ric Kayne built golf courses north of Auckland on land which tangata whenua owned. Ric Kayne - success with iwi. Photo / Michael Craig In 2012, Ric and Suzanne Kayne struck a deal with Te Uri o Hau. In 2002, the hapu got the land as part of a Treaty settlement and it has negotiated to sell 230ha of the forest to Kayne. In 2020, Kayne did a deal with Ngāti Manuhiri, who bought the Mangawhai south forest as part of their commercial redress under their Treaty of Waitangi settlement. The result has brought world praise for new golf courses there. Ihumātao: how not to do it After years of protest, Fletcher Building sold this Māngere site to the Crown for $29.9m five years ago. It ditched plans to build 480 homes on the land, once confiscated, becoming a lightning rod for protest, drawing the Soul (Save Our Unique Landscape) group led by the charismatic Pania Newton. Ihumātao activist Pania Newton. Photo / Jason Oxenham A memorandum of understanding (he pūmautanga) was signed by the Kiingitanga, the Crown and the Auckland Council, setting out how parties were to work together to decide the future of the land. A steering committee, or rōpu whakahaere, was established with three ahi kaa representatives supported by the Kiingitanga, one Kiingitanga representative and two Crown representatives. Plans to move ahead have stalled. Mataharehare, Parnell - no Erebus memorial Dove Myer Robinson Park became a site of protest by some in Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei when Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage wanted to build the Erebus memorial there. Protestors fought against this planned memorial in Parnell, since ditched. Photo / Dean Purcell But it was storms, not the protests, which resulted in that being ditched. Papatūānuku had spoken, some said. A large slip in the lower part of the park into Judges Bay caused by the 2023 Auckland Anniversary floods raised concerns about cantilevering the concrete and steel structure over the park. Putuki Bay - built but at great cost Tony Mair and Kitt Littlejohn completed and opened their 181-berth marina, despite weeks of stopwork and much protest. Trouble hit when protestors and security guards fought each other mid-winter on a slippery pontoon. Pūtiki Bay, Kennedy Point on Waiheke Island earlier this decade when protestors came out in force. Photo / Dean Purcell By July 2021, protesters had been occupying the site for more than 120 days, saying work endangers a nearby kororā (little blue penguin) colony, disputing the resource consent and saying they had mana whenua. Summerset with Ngāti Whātua at Bayswater This retirement village developer bought land on Auckland's North Shore which the hapū had bought under its 2013 treaty settlement. Summerset worked long and hard on the 5.7ha deal, said to have gone for $70m but that was never confirmed by either party. Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei received shares in Summerset and won education and employment opportunities at the planned village. Marutūāhu-Ockham Group A true collaboration between a prominent Auckland apartment development business, previously fronted by Mark Todd, and the collective of five iwi, Ngāti Maru, Ngāti Pāoa, Ngāti Tamaterā, Ngāti Whanaunga and Ngāti Rongoū. Back in 2021 at the opening Kokihi in Waterview: Paul Majurey, the now-ex Housing Minister Megan Woods and Mark Todd. Photo / Alex Burton This successful partnership is nearing completion on yet another apartment block: Toi on ex-Unitec land near the heritage Carrington Hospital. But work has certainly slowed now for the development business, which got a Crown guarantee on the new project. Douglas Links golf course near Levin Xero co-founder Hamish Edwards expressed frustration about development, even though he won consent for the golf course. Xero co-founder Hamish Edwards at Douglas Links, the golf course he is constructing at Ohau, near Levin. Photo / Mark Mitchell 'The process is so long, overly complicated and the involvement of iwi makes the decision to invest in these projects questionable. If I knew then what I know now, I would not have bothered to even start this investment,' he said. But he won't provide the document sent to Cabinet ministers Chris Bishop and David Seymour, saying what must change. The Douglas Links golf course under construction at Ohau, near Levin, in April. Photo / Mark Mitchell It was reported elsewhere that his company being called Grenadier upset some. Calling the course Douglas Links when the whenua already had a name for it was distressing too. It was the site of a pre-1900 pā, Tirotirowhetū. Engagement with tangata whenua was criticised by Ngāti Tukorehe Trust chairperson Tina Wilson as 'tokenistic', leaving a deep sense of sadness and anger. Media referred to activities being the 'act of the coloniser'. How to engage successfully Paul Majurey, a prominent Auckland lawyer, has been part of a number of longstanding commercial relationships: the Pouarua Farms partnership with Southern Pastures, Marutūāhu working with Ockham and Fletcher Living projects. Paul Majurey. Photo / Dean Purcell He also chairs Te Puia Tapapa, the iwi-led $115m investment fund which is a preferred co-investment partner of the NZ Super Fund. 'The key to these partnerships is mutual respect and taking a long-term approach. When Pakeha organisations have engaged with Marutūāhu in that way, it has been the basis for successful commercial partnerships.' Māori are long-term investors and looking for arrangements with entities which also reflect the te ao Māori world view, Majurey says. Investment periods of 15-20 years plus are sought. 'We like assets where we can own the asset for the long term, and prefer sectors like property, infrastructure, and the primary sector,' he says. Expert on rules of engagement Grey Lynn-based consultant Mike Dreaver describes himself as being 'comfortable in uncomfortable spaces'. Mike Dreaver is a consultant who works with iwi, the Crown and others. For 30 years, he has worked with iwi and hapū, the Crown and the private sector, involved in negotiating Treaty settlements, on governance and partnership arrangements for natural resources and many infrastructure projects. 'I've probably been involved in working on negotiating about 40 to 45 Treaty settlements, most for the Crown side but several on behalf of iwi.' He was involved in negotiating the Mahi Ngatahi Agreement with iwi of Auckland which gave them development rights for housing on Crown land - 'the trigger for the Marutūāhu-Ockham, Avent-Te Akitai, and Unitec arrangements'. Ihumātao - how not to do it. He has negotiated partnership arrangements between Waka Kotahi and iwi in north Taranaki, Manawatū/Tararua and Horowhenua and is now helping offshore-based wind developer Parkwind to build partnership arrangements with iwi in south Taranaki. Dreaver has assisted in building relationships between iwi and hapū and developers for projects on commercial land, golf courses and research institutes. He describes himself as a specialist in facilitation, negotiations and policy design development, 'committed to genuine change in the way we do things'. Asked to list some important lessons from his work, Dreaver provided what he sees as some of the principles or rules of effective engagement. Back in 2021: Protestors at Putiki Bay, Kennedy Point on Waiheke Island. Photo / Dean Purcell He emphasised this is only a starting point and there's so much more to relationships which form true partnerships. Dreaver's advice for developers working with Māori: Start early and invest time in developing genuine relationships. Understand your partner-representatives, role of those on the ground as well as those in the organisation and iwi/hapū dynamics. Appreciate and value what mātauranga Māori brings to your project – knowledge, experience, connections, relationships. Respect cultural intellectual property. Listen more than you talk. Recognise iwi and/or hapū have competing demands and you are not necessarily their top priority. Frame discussions around people, place and project. Recognise the commercial value of partnership or collaboration at value – land, opportunities, relationships, mātauranga and efficient processes. Don't promise what you can't deliver. Write things down. Record agreements and stick to them. Implement your commitment to the right relationship throughout your organisation. The first element stressed the need to begin at the project conception via building trust, he said. 'Doing this shows it's more than a tick-box exercise. Don't start when you prepare your resource consent application. Starting early allows you to build relationships over time and look at the range of different ways you can work together.' For Dreaver, there is no one model or off-the-shelf advice that would work. But for him, the need to emphasise people, place and project is a key to successful relationships. Anne Gibson has been the Herald's property editor for 25 years, written books and covered property extensively here and overseas.
The Advertiser
08-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Advertiser
Why James Courtney cried after Supercars podium finish
James Courtney has already won a Supercars championship, but it was his third-place finish in Perth that brought him to tears. The 2010 champion finally ended his two-year podium drought with a spirited drive in the final sprint race at Wanneroo Raceway on Sunday. After qualifying 13th, the 44-year-old had found himself in a position to vie for the podium when Erebus rookie Cooper Murray brought out the yellow flag in the final 20 laps of the 200km race. Murray's Chevrolet Camaro had come to a sudden halt after a mechanical failure. Courtney showed his experience in the Blanchard Racing Team car and overtook in-form drivers Cam Waters and Ryan Wood to follow second-placed Matt Payne to the podium. Championship leader Broc Feeney took back-to-back victories, but his feat was largely overshadowed by fan favourite Courtney's first podium since 2023 - claimed at the same racetrack. Courtney was driving for Tickford when he last finished in the top three. His last race win was in 2016. Well aware it's been a long time between drinks, Courtney says his podium finish is made even more special after "head-scratching and soul-searching" following dismal bottom-five results in New Zealand. He gifted Blanchard Racing their first podium result since the team's entry in 2021. Courtney wasn't the only driver to break through for a milestone, with second-year racer Wood claiming his first career win earlier in the weekend. "I couldn't have been prouder of everyone. I got so emotional," Courtney said. "I felt like I probably looked like Woody with his first win, but it was me crying for a third. "It's been pretty dark without the lights on for a while, but we've managed to get the headlights back up and heading in the right direction. "It's like being an alcoholic. You have to admit that, yeah, you've got a problem before you can fix it." Team principal Tim Blanchard was just as relieved. "The last 12 months since going to two cars has been a real struggle," Blanchard said. "We've had some really challenging times. At times, we question why we're doing this. "James kept making me come back." Confident his best hasn't left him yet, Courtney is bent on finishing his final full-time season on a high. The western Sydney product is set for life as a real estate agent after calling time on his career last year. He made his debut in 2005 for Holden Racing Team as a co-driver before joining full-time the following season for Stone Brothers Racing Courtney hasn't ruled out returning to co-driving. "Might just mic drop it and never be seen again," Courtney joked. "To be able to hopefully finish on a high and walk away from it when you're competitive, I don't want to be that guy where everyone's quietly saying, 'You need to pack it in'. "I can pretty comfortably take off my hat at the end of this, happy with what I've done, and don't feel that I haven't achieved or need to do anything more." Supercars heads to Darwin next from June 20 to 22, with Feeney holding a 72-point lead over reigning champion Will Brown. James Courtney has already won a Supercars championship, but it was his third-place finish in Perth that brought him to tears. The 2010 champion finally ended his two-year podium drought with a spirited drive in the final sprint race at Wanneroo Raceway on Sunday. After qualifying 13th, the 44-year-old had found himself in a position to vie for the podium when Erebus rookie Cooper Murray brought out the yellow flag in the final 20 laps of the 200km race. Murray's Chevrolet Camaro had come to a sudden halt after a mechanical failure. Courtney showed his experience in the Blanchard Racing Team car and overtook in-form drivers Cam Waters and Ryan Wood to follow second-placed Matt Payne to the podium. Championship leader Broc Feeney took back-to-back victories, but his feat was largely overshadowed by fan favourite Courtney's first podium since 2023 - claimed at the same racetrack. Courtney was driving for Tickford when he last finished in the top three. His last race win was in 2016. Well aware it's been a long time between drinks, Courtney says his podium finish is made even more special after "head-scratching and soul-searching" following dismal bottom-five results in New Zealand. He gifted Blanchard Racing their first podium result since the team's entry in 2021. Courtney wasn't the only driver to break through for a milestone, with second-year racer Wood claiming his first career win earlier in the weekend. "I couldn't have been prouder of everyone. I got so emotional," Courtney said. "I felt like I probably looked like Woody with his first win, but it was me crying for a third. "It's been pretty dark without the lights on for a while, but we've managed to get the headlights back up and heading in the right direction. "It's like being an alcoholic. You have to admit that, yeah, you've got a problem before you can fix it." Team principal Tim Blanchard was just as relieved. "The last 12 months since going to two cars has been a real struggle," Blanchard said. "We've had some really challenging times. At times, we question why we're doing this. "James kept making me come back." Confident his best hasn't left him yet, Courtney is bent on finishing his final full-time season on a high. The western Sydney product is set for life as a real estate agent after calling time on his career last year. He made his debut in 2005 for Holden Racing Team as a co-driver before joining full-time the following season for Stone Brothers Racing Courtney hasn't ruled out returning to co-driving. "Might just mic drop it and never be seen again," Courtney joked. "To be able to hopefully finish on a high and walk away from it when you're competitive, I don't want to be that guy where everyone's quietly saying, 'You need to pack it in'. "I can pretty comfortably take off my hat at the end of this, happy with what I've done, and don't feel that I haven't achieved or need to do anything more." Supercars heads to Darwin next from June 20 to 22, with Feeney holding a 72-point lead over reigning champion Will Brown. James Courtney has already won a Supercars championship, but it was his third-place finish in Perth that brought him to tears. The 2010 champion finally ended his two-year podium drought with a spirited drive in the final sprint race at Wanneroo Raceway on Sunday. After qualifying 13th, the 44-year-old had found himself in a position to vie for the podium when Erebus rookie Cooper Murray brought out the yellow flag in the final 20 laps of the 200km race. Murray's Chevrolet Camaro had come to a sudden halt after a mechanical failure. Courtney showed his experience in the Blanchard Racing Team car and overtook in-form drivers Cam Waters and Ryan Wood to follow second-placed Matt Payne to the podium. Championship leader Broc Feeney took back-to-back victories, but his feat was largely overshadowed by fan favourite Courtney's first podium since 2023 - claimed at the same racetrack. Courtney was driving for Tickford when he last finished in the top three. His last race win was in 2016. Well aware it's been a long time between drinks, Courtney says his podium finish is made even more special after "head-scratching and soul-searching" following dismal bottom-five results in New Zealand. He gifted Blanchard Racing their first podium result since the team's entry in 2021. Courtney wasn't the only driver to break through for a milestone, with second-year racer Wood claiming his first career win earlier in the weekend. "I couldn't have been prouder of everyone. I got so emotional," Courtney said. "I felt like I probably looked like Woody with his first win, but it was me crying for a third. "It's been pretty dark without the lights on for a while, but we've managed to get the headlights back up and heading in the right direction. "It's like being an alcoholic. You have to admit that, yeah, you've got a problem before you can fix it." Team principal Tim Blanchard was just as relieved. "The last 12 months since going to two cars has been a real struggle," Blanchard said. "We've had some really challenging times. At times, we question why we're doing this. "James kept making me come back." Confident his best hasn't left him yet, Courtney is bent on finishing his final full-time season on a high. The western Sydney product is set for life as a real estate agent after calling time on his career last year. He made his debut in 2005 for Holden Racing Team as a co-driver before joining full-time the following season for Stone Brothers Racing Courtney hasn't ruled out returning to co-driving. "Might just mic drop it and never be seen again," Courtney joked. "To be able to hopefully finish on a high and walk away from it when you're competitive, I don't want to be that guy where everyone's quietly saying, 'You need to pack it in'. "I can pretty comfortably take off my hat at the end of this, happy with what I've done, and don't feel that I haven't achieved or need to do anything more." Supercars heads to Darwin next from June 20 to 22, with Feeney holding a 72-point lead over reigning champion Will Brown.
