‘My life was falling apart’: V8 Supercars champion James Courtney admits learning his ex-wife had moved on with publican playboy Stu Laundy almost destroyed him – as he finds love again and chases a championship
- James Courtney opened up on his split with wife Carys after 16 years of marriage
- The split sent Courtney into a battle to save his career and be able to see his kids
- The 39-year-old said the past few years have been ‘easily the hardest of my life’
- He has moved on with Alexandra Elms and is keen to race again after COVID-19
- Courtney will line up in the Ford Mustang at the Sydney Super Sprint on Saturday
James Courtney has revealed the heavy toll his 16-year marriage breakdown took on his life and career behind the wheel and moving on with his new love.
The 2010 V8 Supercars champion has opened up on his highly publicised split with ex-wife Carys after the New Zealand leg of the 2017 season.
The split sent the 39-year-old into a manic battle to be able to see his two children Zara and Cadel and save his career while maintaining a brave face in the public eye.
‘The last couple of years have been easily the hardest of my life,’ Courtney told The Daily Telegraph. ‘I was trying to perform in the spotlight while my life was falling apart.’
Courtney and Carys were teenage sweethearts, with the Gold Coast native left blindsided when she said it was over in the worst season of his driving career.
James Courtney has opened up on his highly publicised split with former wife Carys (pictured together at the Men’s Health MAN Gala event at Simmer on the Bay in March 2015)
Their split became public in July when it was revealed Carys was dating pub-baron Stu Laundy, putting Courtney in the spotlight on the track for all the wrong reasons.
‘It got very unpleasant and there were things that were being dealt with at the track that should have been dealt with earlier in the week,’ he said.
‘Things were aired at the wrong time and it was tough. I was lucky the guys in the team understood what I was going through and they understood if I needed some time to myself.’
Courtney endured a brutal two-year court battle to keep his assets and equal custody of his children while in the crossroads of his driving career.
Courtney celebrates with ex-wife Carys after winning the 2010 V8 Supercar Championship at Sydney Olympic Park in December 2010
The two-time world karting champion said he was doing it tough for a few years and tried to hide his personal battles and maintain an image of strength in public.
The V8 Supercars will return to racing at Sydney Motorsport Park on Saturday for the Sydney Super Sprint races after a 107 day break from the coronavirus lockdown.
Courtney will line up in the Ford Mustang with a smile on his face after revealing he has moved on with a new love in marketing manager Alexandra Elms.
The 33-year-old moved from Melbourne to be with Courtney on the Gold Coast earlier this year, with the couple meeting the same weekend Courtney learned of his split from Carys.
Courtney said he is still mates with his ex-wife and is excited to get back on with a fresh start track this weekend.
‘I couldn’t be more-clear headed then I am now,’ he said. ‘I am in a very good position and super happy with all aspects of life and ready to get on with it.’
Courtney has moved on with a new love in Alexandra Elms (pictured together) and is keen to race again after COVID-19 at the Sydney Super Sprint on Saturday