V8 Supercar: Courtney hurt in freak incident

Holden driver James Courtney has been hospitalized following a freak, off-track incident during the first day of the V8 Supercars event at Sydney Motorsport Park. (Scroll down for video footage of the incident.)

The 2010 champion was struck in the ribs by a piece of pitlane equipment that was dislodged during an entertainment session featuring a Navy helicopter flyover. He was taken to Sydney's nearby Westmead Hospital for tests.

"I think the Navy helicopter was hovering over pitlane and [the pilot] has probably come too close and created a bit of a downdraft and a bit of a swell," Walkinshaw Racing boss Adrian Burgess explained during the event telecast. "A piece of debris has come across at [Courtney] and he put his arm up to cover his face as a natural reaction and it's hit his rib cage quite hard.

"His ribs are fine but we are not quite sure about the condition of his lungs. He's stable, he's fine, he's not going to die on us but there is a bit of damage there.

"Obviously, we need to make sure we do the right thing by him, so he's gone to the hospital to have some proper tests."

Jack Perkins – Courtney's co-driver for the upcoming Sandown, Bathurst and Gold Coast endurance races – drove the Commodore in the second practice session, and V8 Supercars has confirmed an investigation will take place.

"I can't say more than maybe it is something that was going to happen at some point," Burgess added. "We should have seen the writing on the wall. It's done.

"We are not going to blame anyone, we have just got to make sure we do the right thing by James and the preparation of the team for the weekend."

Ford driver Chaz Mostert topped Friday practice, ahead of Tim Slade, Shane van Gisbergen, Nick Percat and championship leader Mark Winterbottom.

Originally on Autosport.com