Will in fight to find drive
SUPERCARS star Will Davison is in a battle to remain on the grid next year despite his status as the reigning Bathurst 1000 champion.
Davison’s two-year deal with Tekno Autosports expires at the end of the season and issues surrounding sponsorship appear set to restrict the one-car squad’s 2018 budget. The Yatala-based team are on the hunt for a title sponsor with Woodstock out of contract.
Talented rookies Jack Le Brocq and Todd Hazelwood – both of whom can bring financial backing with them – have been linked to Tekno for next year.
Industry sources describe Davison as a quality driver but hold fears that he may be on the sidelines in 2018 with seats at rival squads quickly filling up.
The 35-year-old himself admitted his chances of staying at Tekno “could be out of my hands”.
“I am in the market now so certainly talking to people and have got potential options,” he said.
“Obviously I have made it clear to Tekno that I’d like to talk to them as well so there’s not much more to report really. I’m certainly in the market and out of contract.”
Davison’s 12-year full-time Supercars career has already been spread across five teams: Dick Johnson Racing, Walkinshaw Racing, Prodrive Racing Australia, Erebus Motorsport and now Tekno.
“Continuity is important to me; first thing is first, I’m keen to make sure I’m driving and then you have got to do what you got to do,” he said when asked about the prospect of another move.
“Fingers crossed as I said that we can continue where we are but it could be out of my hands.”
The 19-time race winner, who was runner-up to Jamie Whincup in the 2009 championship, would likely need a sixth team to house him if Tekno cannot. DJR, Walkinshaw and Erebus have no seats available while Prodrive have drivers contracted for all but their fourth car.
Davison enjoyed a standout 2016, placing fifth overall including his second career victory at ‘The Mountain’, but has endured a difficult campaign this year.
His and Tekno’s Sandown was unravelled by co-driver and boss Jonathon Webb’s accident during qualifying, though the pair recovered to finish 12th in the 500km race.