JAMES COURTNEY had a lucky escape after his Ford Mustang burst into flames while in the pit lane at Albert Park.<br /><br />The V8 supercar driver spotted the flames as he rounded the final two turns in Melbourne, leading him to take the car to the pit.<br /><br />As he entered the pit lane, the flames started to grow and in a short time, the car was engulfed in the fire.<br /><br />Luckily the 42-year-old managed to exit the car as black smoke could be seen bellowing away from it.<br /><br />The crew was quick to their feet with fire extinguishers to try and contain the fire.<br /><br />Despite the terrifying moment, the Tickford Racing driver seemed fairly calm as he spoke to the media afterward.<br /><br />He told Fox Motorsport: "I saw the flames and said to the guys I could smell something from the front left corner.<br /><br />"Then I could see the flames. I just tried to get to the pits.<br /><br />"They’ve got all the fire stuff to try and save the car."<br /><br />The reporter then pointed out that the incident is similar to Nick Percat's Ford Mustang also suffered the same fate the day before.<br /><br />Courtney said: "Seems like it is the same spot, so yeah, it is not good."<br /><br />Percat was forced to retire from the Super sprint race on Friday and afterward revealed the moment he was shocked to discover the fire.<br /><br />He told Fox Sports: "I know what I have on clothing wise I’m going to be safe, I don’t know what happened.<br /><br />"I thought I could smell something down the back straight, maybe the exhaust or something.<br /><br />"Next thing I’m like, 'Oh my god, I’m on fire'."<br /><br />The incidents have happened just a day before the Australian Grand Prix.
