Motorsport: Win or bust for Courtney at Bathurst

James Courtney's V8 Supercars title hopes are over - so he's going hard this weekend at Bathurst. Photo / Getty Images

His V8 Supercar title defence is in tatters so Holden's James Courtney believes he has nothing to lose going into Sunday's Bathurst 1000 endurance race.

Courtney currently sits 17th in series points after nine of 14 events in 2011, a horror campaign after his big off-season switch from Dick Johnson Racing to the Holden Racing Team.

But the 30-year-old believes his poor year could be the key to a great weekend at Mount Panorama as he chases his maiden Bathurst crown with no title considerations to worry about.

"It has been a difficult year, but this is the weekend we are going to stand up, show all of the hard work we have been doing behind the scenes at the Toll Holden Racing Team and shine," Courtney said.

"As a team I know Cameron (McConville, co-driver) and I can perform and deliver.

"Cameron is cool, calm and collected in the car and he'll do what he has to do without taking any risks.

"We've both had a lot of success at the mountain but haven't won there yet.

"We have every chance to win and there would be no better reward than winning Bathurst and doing that in the Toll Holden Racing Team car it would be pretty special - all the pain from this year would quickly disappear."

Courtney, McConville and the rest of the V8 Supercar field will get their first look at the Mount Panorama circuit on Wednesday before the annual meet-the-public event in Bathurst's city centre from midday.

The action begins on Thursday with three practice sessions before qualifying is held on Friday and Saturday to determine the grid order for Sunday's 1000km classic.

- AAP