Davison ‘made statement’ with Adelaide pace

Will Davison has hailed a strong start to his 2020 campaign at the Superloop Adelaide 500, despite disappointment at missing out on a trophy.

Having topped the BP Ultimate SuperTest at The Bend on Tuesday of race week, the #23 Milwaukee Mustang was among the pacesetters all weekend in Adelaide.

In a remarkable run of consistency, Davison was in the top five in all nine sessions of the weekend, starting with third, second and third in the three practice sessions.

He converted fifth in regular Saturday qualifying into third in the Shootout and fifth in the race, before recording fourth in all three of the corresponding sessions on the Sunday.

That netted equal fourth in the standings with Tickford teammate Cameron Waters, who has been widely touted as the team’s new leader following Chaz Mostert’s departure.

“Definitely a really good week from the test day all the way through here,” surmised Davison, who is in his second season as part of the four-car Tickford group under the 23Red banner.

“It’s good to be right up the front and make a statement about the year.

“I’m happy but I’m naturally disappointed not to get any silverware over the weekend.

“We didn’t quite execute in the race, we had a few little issues in the pit sequence.

“I’m obviously a little bit disappointed, but having said that it’s all pretty positive.

“We learned a lot over the weekend, the car was really fast in qualifying, we’re not quite as strong in race trim, but certainly it’s been a really positive weekend.

“To leave here with a straight car and a haul of points, it’s a good start.”

Tickford’s four-car force

Although Waters’ third on Sunday was Tickford’s only podium of the weekend, it was an encouraging weekend for all four of the squad’s entries.

Lee Holdsworth is seventh in the championship after improving throughout the weekend to be sixth in the Sunday race.

Off-season recruit Jack Le Brocq was 12th on Sunday and is now 15th in the standings, leaving team principal Tim Edwards pleased.

“To first come out of Adelaide with no major damage to any of our cars, and secondly to have all four in the top 12, it’s a really good start for us on the whole,” he said.

“Cam and Will were excellent all weekend, Lee made serious progress on his car, and Jack is making steady gains in getting up to speed in the Supercheap Auto car.

“We have a bit more speed to find, but half of the top six [on Sunday] were our cars. We’re pretty happy about that.”