Superior brake parts cleanerSuperior brake parts cleaner

Brothers Davison unite for Erebus Enduro tilt

V8 Supercars

V8 Supercars1:23pm 15 April 2014

Brothers Will and Alex Davison will drive together for the first time in this year’s Pirtek Enduro Cup, for Erebus Motorsport.

The Davisons, who have previously raced in the same V8 Supercars team but never before as co-drivers, will continue their family’s steep motor racing traditions when they team up in the #9 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG at this year’s endurance events at the Wilson Security Sandown 500, Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 and the Gold Coast 600.

The pairing of the Davison duo is just the second time in V8 Supercars history two brothers have joined forces as co-drivers, following on from Todd and Rick Kelly in 2006.

The Davisons said it had been a lifelong dream to drive together as they continue to follow in the footsteps of their father Richard, who was a Formula 2 championship winner in the early 1980s, and their famous grandfather Lex, who won the Australian Grand Prix four times in the late 1950s.

“It definitely makes dad’s job a bit easier,’’ joked Will, the younger of the duo at 31 years of age.

“Certainly the family is incredibly proud, it’s something you dream of to be able to stand on a podium together and it’s not every day you get this chance.

“We’ll push each other and support each other – it’s going to be a lot of fun.’’

Speaking of his family’s reaction to the appointment, 34-year-old Alex laughed: “They’ll be proud if we do well, if we’re wobbling around down the back of the field, they won’t be very proud.’’

“Obviously we started out racing karts and did that together as a family, travelled to all the races. We’ve supported each other all through our careers but have never had the opportunity to share a car together.

“The way it worked out, it wasn’t planned by either of us, but it was a good option that presented itself from both sides and the fact that we are driving together is a bonus, it will be good fun.’’

Erebus Motorsport Team Manager David Stuart has had a long association with both drivers in the past and said the Davison duo would form a strong combination for the long-distance classics.

“It’s a real thrill for me to have Alex join Will for the Pirtek Enduro Cup. They are both very accomplished drivers and we should be a real chance of achieving some positive results throughout the series,’’ said Stuart.

“With Alex missing out on a full-time drive in the V8 Supercars Championship this year, it afforded us the opportunity to have him partner Will for the endurance events.

“Coming off the back of the team’s fifth placing in last year’s Pirtek Enduro Cup combined with our strong start to 2014, we look forward to progressing with our development and challenging for results when the endurance events start in September.’’

Will has enjoyed an encouraging start since joining Erebus Motorsport this season, with five top 10 finishes from the first nine races of the year, while Alex finished 13th in the V8 Supercars Championship last year.

Alex, a former Carrera Cup Champion, previously raced for Stone Brothers Racing for three years from 2009 to 2011 prior to the team’s switch to Erebus Motorsport at the end of the 2012 season.

“I had a really good relationship with everyone in the Stone Brothers days when I was driving here and most of the guys are still here,’’ reflected Alex.

“It’s great catching up with a lot of my old friends and it feels like I never left, it’s literally feels like it was only yesterday.

“Janelle Navarro, who was one of my mechanics last year, she’s in the team as well so that part of it is fantastic because I don’t have to re-learn a new team like you often do when you join a team for the first time.’’

Despite being the older of the Davison duo, Alex said he admired what his younger brother had achieved in V8 Supercars and was out to learn as much as he could from Will when they team together.

“I’m just the lackey this time around, I’m just the co-driver,’’ joked Alex.

“Will’s got a CV that lots of people would love to have – I’d love to have his CV. He’s done lots of cool stuff and particularly in V8 Supercars, he’s been ultra-successful and done everything bar win the championship.

“He’s definitely up there in the top two or three guys in the championship and he’s had a lot more consistency and success in V8 Supercars than I have, so I’m in a position where I will be trying to learn as much as possible during the year.’’

Will said he believed Alex deserved a regular drive in the V8 Supercars series based on his career achievements to date.

“Obviously Alex has done some cool stuff internationally with the GT side of things, which many people dream of doing,’’ said Will.

“He’s been successful in V8s, it’s just circumstantial the way these things unfold, why you’re not on the grid, and continuity is really important.

“Anyone that has had pole positions and podiums, which he did late last year, should be on the grid.

“No doubt I think we bounce off each other, we learn off each other all the time and we know each other better than anyone else.’’

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You may use these HTML tags and attributes: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong>

Pukekohe smash claims life of Wall’s DJR Falcon

1:12pm 29 April 2014

V8 Supercars
0

Dick Johnson Racing has begun building up a complete new chassis for the Perth 400 after #17 was involved…  More >

Paul Radisich behind planned Kiwi V8 Supercar team

7:24pm 28 April 2014

NZ Herald
0

It’s looking more likely that in 18 months a New Zealand team on the V8 Supercars’ grid. The Herald…  More >

Flag fly high at Pukekohe

12:05pm 28 April 2014

V8 Supercars
0

The ITM 500 Auckland ended with a thrilling final race, seeing Mark Winterbottom winning the Jason Richards Trophy in…  More >

Frosty and Ford have done it at the ITM 500 Auckland – won the race, the Jason Richards Memorial Trophy…  More >

Drivers call for second New Zealand V8 Supercars round

4:47pm 27 April 2014

Stuff.co.nz
2

Leading V8 Supercars drivers are calling for a second New Zealand race weekend to be added to the series’…  More >

McLaughlin leads Kiwi front row for ITM500 finale

3:06pm 27 April 2014

V8 Supercars
0

20140427_110646__65O8298

Scott McLaughlin has scored his third ARMOR ALL Pole Position for the year, he and his Valvoline Volvo to…  More >

RACE COUNTDOWN

Moto GP

Round 4

Gran Premio de España, Jerez, 4 May

Indycars

Round 4

GP of Indianapolis, 10 May

Formula 1

Round 5

Spanish Grand Prix, Barcelona, 11 May

  • Latest headlines

  • CRC Motornews poll

    Who do you think will be top of the Kiwi in the 2014 V8 Supercars?

      View Results

    Loading ... Loading ...
  • Latest story comments

  • Newsletter icon

    Get the latest motorsport news delivered to your inbox