Supercars 2022: James Courtney breaks silence on secret wedding with partner Tegan Woodford

Just a week out from the biggest race of the year, James Courtney has opened up on a busy month, after secretly eloping with partner Tegan Woodford before their baby arrives.

James Courtney has revealed he and partner Tegan Woodford have married, just a week out from the Bathurst 1000. Picture: Tim Hunter.

Supercars star James Courtney has told of his personal bliss after revealing he secretly wed partner Tegan Woodford in what shapes as a “massive month” for the expectant parents.

Just a week out from the biggest race of the year at Mount Panorama for the Bathurst 1000, Courtney confirmed his secret September nuptials on social media on Tuesday.

The 2010 V8 champion “eloped” to marry Woodford at the Brisbane registry on September 6 in front of just a few close family, including Courtney’s two children, Zara, 14, and Cadel, 12.

The marriage for the Gold Coast-based pair comes as they prepare for the arrival of their first child together next month.

The baby – a boy who is already nicknamed “Brian” – is due to arrive between the Bathurst 1000 and the Gold Coast 500, which starts in late October.

Courtney said it was an exciting time for the couple, who were engaged in January this year.

“It’s going to be a massive month,” Courtney told News Corp.

“We’ve got married, Bathurst and then the little guy (arriving). So, it’s going to be a little busy period but it’s awesome, but we couldn’t be happier.”

James Courtney has revealed he and partner Tegan Woodford have married, just a week out from the Bathurst 1000. Picture: Tim Hunter.

Courtney said the couple planned to have a bigger celebration with family and friends in the future, but had wanted to get married before their baby’s arrival.

“The little bloke is arriving very soon and we wanted to do it the right way and be married when he arrives,” Courtney said.

“So, we just thought we would do it under the radar and slip in (to the registry).

“We kept it quiet for a while then it started being not so quiet so I thought we better say something. It was just us two, the kids, Zara and Cadel, my parents and Tegan’s mum.

“You need to have witnesses there so we figured our mums would be the witnesses and we wanted the kids there because they are a big part of everything.

“It was an exciting day, we had a great time. Life’s good at the moment. Life’s great.”

Courtney is hoping the baby, which has an official due date of October 21, does not decide to make an early arrival while he’s behind the wheel at the Bathurst 1000.

“It’s not like a footy team where we have got guys on the side waiting, so hopefully little fella holds on until dad gets home and I can be there,” Courtney said.

“Unfortunately, if I want to put food in the little guy’s mouth I have got to work.

“If he comes early, I will be trying to switch the stints around so I do the second last one and I can then start driving home or get an earlier flight possible out of there.

“But my daughter Zara keeps telling us ‘Don’t worry’, she will take care of everything if I am away working.”

Courtney and Woodford are also due to welcome a son into the world in the coming weeks. Picture: Tim Hunter.

Courtney, 42, will team with Zane Goddard for the Great Race at Mount Panorama next week after finishing seventh with Tickford Racing teammate Thomas Randle last year.

His best finish in the Bathurst 1000 was second in 2007 and one the Supercars veteran is still craving to win.

“I always love going to Bathurst, it is a cracking event …. it’s the only big event that I haven’t won so definitely one I want to check off the list before it is all over,” Courtney said.

“Obviously I am getting towards the end of that time so I have got to try and get it done, so hopefully we can get it done this year and have a great one.

“The car has been super quick and I’ve got Zane, who I have known since he was a kid, in the car with me so that’s pretty cool as well.”

Originally published as Supercars 2022: James Courtney breaks silence on secret wedding with partner Tegan Woodford