James Courtney has been cleared to leave hospital, four days after suffering two fractured ribs and a punctured lung during a pitlane incident at Sydney Motorsport Park.

The 35-year-old will return to his Gold Coast home by road as he remains unable to fly due to the injuries.

Courtney was taken to Westmead Hospital following the accident on Friday afternoon, before spending the last two days in a private facility at Norwest.

The Holden Racing Team star had been the unfortunate victim of a low flying Navy helicopter, from which the downdraft hurled pit equipment into the air.

“Doc said I can get out of here today,” Courtney wrote on social media this morning.

“Thanks so much to all the staff at both Westmead and Norwest Hospitals for putting up with me over the last 5 days.”

Courtney conceded on Sunday that he is highly unlikely to be fit enough to return to the wheel for the September 11-13 Sandown 500.

The Holden Racing Team has commenced a search for a replacement, who would likely join the squad for its pre-Sandown test at Winton on September 3.

The team is understood to be looking for a driver that is available for all three Pirtek Enduro Cup events in case Courtney’s recovery is slower than hoped.

American Patrick Long – a friend of Courtney from the pair’s British Formula Ford days and a former Gold Coast driver for Walkinshaw Racing – has been linked to the seat.

He is however unavailable for Bathurst due to his World Endurance Championship commitments.

US-based Australian Ryan Briscoe has also been in contact with the HRT, having earlier been one of a number of drivers in ultimately unsuccessful talks to join Lucas Dumbrell Motorsport for this year’s Enduro Cup.