Davison’s TEKNO debut

Will Davison will have his first opportunity to navigate Bathurst as a TEKNO driver today – but in a different beast to what he will tackle this year’s V8 Supercars season in.

The Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour provides Davison a chance to work with some of his TEKNO crew at Australia’s most spectacular circuit this weekend.

Practice kicks off today, with Davison steering a McLaren 650S he’s sharing with Robert Bell and Andrew Watson. It’s his first drive of the season, before jumping back in a Holden Commodore for the first time since 2010 when he tests his new V8 Supercar in a fortnight. 

“It’s good because with TEKNO McLaren I’m working with my engineer for the year [Dr Geoffrey Slater] and the mechanics from Tekno are here,” Davison told v8supercars.com.au.

“Obviously we’re working with everyone from McLaren as well. But that’s probably the biggest benefit from this weekend – actually working through a whole race weekend with them, so come next week, we’ll be so far developed compared to what we are now.

“We will go to Clipsal and we’ve all worked together in a racing environment. Certainly from that aspect it’s very beneficial.”

Driving the other TEKNO McLaren entry, along with Alvaro Parente are Jonathon Webb and Shane van Gisbergen, Davison’s new team boss and Triple Eight stablemate.

With TEKNO’s relationship with Triple Eight, Davison and van Gisbergen will collaborate during the season and this marks the first opportunity to work together on that level.

“We’ll all enjoy ourselves, we’re in separate cars but it’ll be cool – we’re all in a different environment to our normal one, so it’s quite a fascinating chemistry.”

Davison and van Gisbergen had an exciting battle in the closing stages of the 2014 Bathurst 12 Hour fighting for third position. 

Battles like that are why Davison wants to be part of the 12 Hour. He took the podium finish that year. 

“It was very exciting – I was chatting about that with Shane in the middle of our track walk, walking down Conrod Straight and we started talking about the end of the race two years ago,” Davison said. 

“I had a wounded car so it was very slow across the top of the mountain but very good straight line speed, so he couldn’t get around me.

“It was cool talking about the strengths and weaknesses of these cars and that’s the fascinating part of GT racing – one car’s very quick and straight but may not have the best downforce and vice versa. They’re all very different.”

Davison is a Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 winner, but it’s the chance to do something different that excites him about this weekend. He’s one of nine full-time V8 Supercars drivers taking the opportunity, with a number of regular enduro co-drivers also on the grid.

“Anytime you’re driving is an opportunity to, firstly, just enjoy yourself because it’s out of your comfort zone.

“New surroundings, new car – anytime you put yourself in that position it just doesn’t hurt. It keeps you sharp, keeps you on your toes and it’s very enjoyable … they’re beautiful cars and a completely different style of racing – when you do the one type of racing for so long any opportunity to do something different you jump at it.

“There’s amazing teams and drivers here and it’s just a no brainer I think, putting ourselves out there and up in other cars against the world’s best. It’s a great challenge and can only help you if you do well.”

It’a a bit of a blast from the past for Davison too, who raced in Europe for several years looking for a path to Formula One.

“There’s some guys here – like Rob Bell who I’m sharing with, was my teammate back in British Formula Renault. So 13 years have gone by and it’s like yesterday we were seeing each other, it’s quite fascinating. We were close, and competitive teammates and it’s really cool to work with him here in Australia,” he said. 

“Same with Alvaro Parente, he’s in the other car – guys I’ve known for a long time are here. Steven Kane was one of my best friends and competitors and he’s here in a Bentley.

“It’s funny how everyone’s ended up her at Bathurst – it’s quite strange but I really enjoy it.”

Practice runs today with qualifying tomorrow and race day Sunday. See the Bathurst 12 Hour website for all the details.