It was a horror crash that had all the hallmarks of a tragedy.

When Alex Premat’s Holden veered off the Phillip Island circuit on Saturday, through the gravel with no chance of stopping, it wasn’t a matter of if, but who he would hit.

James Courtney was the unfortunate V8 Supercars rival driver that happened to be in the way.

The two Holdens collided at high speed – with Premat’s rear impacting squarely on Courtney’s door, throwing the two cars in the air and scattering debris everywhere.

Premat responded instantly, helping extract Courtney through the passenger’s side of his car.

Courtney was eventually able to limp away with assistance and later the medical team cleared him of serious injuries.

He was in good spirits and forgiving of Premat’s misdemeanour.

“I didn’t see Alex coming, so I couldn’t brace myself,” Courtney said of the incident in the opening race of the weekend’s penultimate round of the championship.

“I spoke with Alex in the medical car and said he had a tyre go down. He didn’t mean to do that, no one would, so it’s just unfortunate.”

And while Courtney will fight another day, his car will not.

“I think that may have ended it for my car though, its had a few big hits over the last three events.”

“I think that was the end, the final nail.”

Courtney can spend Saturday night nursing his wounds and celebrating Holden Racing Team teammate Garth Tander’s win.