Davison bracing for unpredictable 2024 season
Queensland teams on track in pre-season testing on Monday
Will Davison set for 19th full-time season in 2024
DJR veteran has “never, ever” seen such competitive depth
Will Davison has “never, ever” seen such depth up and down pit lane ahead of what looms as one of the most unpredictable seasons in recent memory.
The 2024 Repco Supercars Championship gets underway in less than two weeks at Mount Panorama, with Queensland teams testing on Monday.
The build-up to the new season has recently been dominated by the news that champion Brodie Kostecki won’t race at Round 1.
Kostecki’s absence comes after Shane van Gisbergen’s shift to NASCAR, while drivers and teams enter the new season with revised cars after aerodynamic modifications.
For two-time Bathurst winner Davison, who embarks on season No. 19, the new season could offer fireworks right from the outset.
“It’s really cool, there’s some amazing young talent coming through,” the Shell V-Power Racing Team driver told Supercars.com at Queensland Raceway.
“So many teams have lifted their game, there’s great depth through the whole pit lane. I’ve never, ever seen it like this.
“People probably don’t understand how hard it is, the minute details we go to and how easily you can go from hero to zero.
“I’m still feeling good. I’m still trying to be the best I’ve ever been, young blokes keep you sharp, that’s for sure. It’s going to be a pretty epic year of racing.”
The first season of the Gen3 rules produced 10 different race winners from seven different teams, as well as a first-time drivers’ and teams’ champion.
Davison’s team won courtesy of Anton De Pasquale, but the veteran himself only scored a single podium in 28 starts.
Dick Johnson Racing’s off-season was buoyed by the return of Dr Ryan Story and an engineering reshuffle, which De Pasquale said has already "energised" the Ford squad.
“It’s nice to feel the nerves getting up this morning,” said Davison, who will race with Super2 champion Kai Allen at the enduros.
“We start a new year full of hopes and dreams, all the usual, try and tidy up the weaknesses from last year.
“It’s good to feel nervous again. I prepared hard in the off-season, and I’m excited to go around again.
“Talk is cheap. We have big expectations of ourselves, we always do. We focus on what we’re doing, looking at trying to be better than last year.
“You never stop learning, never stop reflecting on your weaknesses and mistakes, and trying to be better. New year, new sheet of paper.
“I feel really good about the preparation and the work we’ve been doing. It’s all there for us to have a big season, we’ve just got to get on with it."
The Thrifty Bathurst 500 will open the new season on February 23-25. Tickets are on sale now.
