Crehan excited for Sandown TV return
Pit reporter and new mum Riana Crehan returns at Sandown 500
Crehan and husband Will Davison welcomed son Dash in July
Her last event with Supercars TV team was Tasmania in May
Returning to Supercars broadcast duties will be "exciting but nerve-wracking” for new mother Riana Crehan, who is back in pit lane at Sandown this weekend.
Popular pit lane presenter Crehan will return to the TV team at this weekend’s Penrite Oil Sandown 500 after giving birth to son Dash in July.
Crehan has been absent since May’s NED Whisky Tasmania SuperSprint, and will return to regular duties across Supercars and the Dunlop Series.
It has been a big year for Crehan and husband Will Davison, who will be joined by brother Alex in the #17 Shell V-Power Ford at Sandown and Bathurst.
For Crehan, the initial thought of missing race weekends was a strange thought — but everything changed when Dash arrived.
“In a way it’s flown by, and in another way it feels like forever ago,” Crehan said of Tasmania.
“At first, the thought of missing out on race meetings was strange, because I’ve been so immersed in it for so many years.
“As soon as Dash came along, your thoughts switch to him, how he’s going and being at home with him.
“Obviously I’m still so close to it with Will, I watch every race every session, but my mind has been elsewhere these last 10 weeks with this new chapter of our lives.”
Dash, now 10 weeks old, was born in the days leading to the NTI Townsville 500.
“That first morning was tough with Will leaving — Dash wasn’t even two days old,” said Crehan, who recently returned to the microphone as host of the Gold Coast event launch.
“It was pretty challenging — there were a few tears that morning, and in some ways, it was harder for Will being away.
“It’s that time of the year when everything ramps up, it hasn’t been a quiet time, it’s been very busy for Will which has also had it challenges."
Crehan returns as the season readies for a blockbuster end, with the Repco Bathurst 1000, Boost Mobile Gold Coast 500 and VAILO Adelaide 500 rounding out the year.
A long-time fixture of Supercars broadcasts, Crehan knows the longest races of the year require big effort, and she wouldn’t miss the chance to play a key role in delivering Supercars to households.
Crehan isn’t the only familiar face returning to the broadcast, with four-time Bathurst winner Greg Murphy featuring at Sandown and Bathurst in a special comments role.
Now, however, Crehan and Davison have a new perspective on life, and they will have key support from family and friends this weekend.
“This part of the year is huge, for the sport and for TV, it requires even more effort and time,” she said.
“Dash is coming along, it’s going to be a full family affair. My sister is travelling with us to help out, and being in Melbourne, Will’s family is going to support us as well.
“We’ve got plenty of hands — Jess [Yates] is excited to have Dash trackside, as is Uncle Larko, who recently became a grandfather!
"It's exciting but nerve-wracking for me at the same time, and I’m so excited to be back."
