The Holden Racing Team’s James Courtney is today undergoing electrical pulse treatment amid efforts to return to action at the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 next month.

Courtney has been on the sidelines since a freak accident saw him fracture five ribs and puncture a lung in the Sydney Motorsport Park pitlane on August 21.

Despite the severity of the injury, the HRT remains optimistic that its star driver is a chance to return to action at the October 8-11 Bathurst event.

Courtney has been entered for the event alongside co-driver Jack Perkins, with substitute Russell Ingall on standby should he be required.

The team says it is prepared to wait until as late as Thursday of the event before making a final call on its line-up.

The severity of the injury has meanwhile seen Courtney in continued pain as he attempts to recover at his Gold Coast home.

According to a HRT statement, “today’s procedure will see pulsed radio frequencies (electrical pulses) put into Courtney’s ribs and the nerve endings ‘numbed’ to provide pain relief and assist recovery”.

The driver hopes that a successful procedure will mark an important step in his recovery.

“I went into hospital last week and had a procedure to see if this would work and it was quite successful, so I’m confident today’s operation will get the pain under control and I can come off a lot of the medication I have been prescribed,” Courtney said.

“Hopefully, I walk away pain free from it which will allow me to really focus on getting back behind the wheel of my HRT Commodore at Bathurst.”

Courtney’s trainer Phil Young confirmed to Speedcafe.com that the former V8 Supercars champion’s ability to compete at Bathurst remains in the balance.

“We are doing all we can to make sure he is ready for Bathurst,” said Young.

“It could change in a week so I wouldn’t like to put a percentage on what his chances are, but he has a chance for sure.

“It’s just really racing against time and how quickly the body heals that will determine whether he will make it or not.”

The HRT says it will provide another update on Courtney’s condition on Wednesday, September 30.