DJR boss sheds light on Davison call, co-drive offer

Dick Johnson Racing CEO David Noble has opened up on the timeline of events that led to Will Davison parting ways with the team at the end of the season.

It's been a difficult 2025 campaign in general for Davison, however there have been glimpses of speed, including a runner-up finish in New Zealand and a top three qualifying performance in Townsville.

However, a difficult Ryco Enduro Cup campaign with veteran Tony D'Alberto has seen the two-time Bathurst winner plummet to 19th in the standings.

Despite being contracted through to 2026, Davison and DJR decided to part ways following the Gold Coast, with the 43-year-old now on the co-driver market with all 24 full-time seats locked away for next year.

Noble revealed that the situation moved quickly in the aftermath of the Boost Mobile Gold Coast 500, with DJR signing Super2 Series leader Rylan Gray in a "strategic shift" towards youth.

Speaking to media at Sandown, Noble stated that the sands started to shift at: "Probably Gold Coast really, the timeframe of notification for Will and the conversations he had with the owners occurred around that time.

"We assess every week, every round. You look at what the options are, you're looking at the competition and what's coming through, what's trending through the youth.

"Like I said before, you're constantly ongoing, but then you need to make a qualified, informed opinion, then you've got to inform the driver.

"So that becomes tricky, they were difficult conversations to have with the owners, but that was the timeframe."

Noble also revealed that a co-driving future for Davison with the team had been discussed, however both parties decided to go their separate ways: "It was always in the conversation. I wasn't privy to those high levels of conversations, but that was always in the plan.

"For whatever reason that hasn't worked out, we go our separate ways, but we thank him enormously for what he's done."

Noble also praised Davison for contributions to the team during Noble's three-year tenure, which also comes to an end as he explores new ventures.

The former AFL coach also defended the veteran, saying that a difficult final year with DJR shouldn't outweigh his significant successes throughout his career.

"I just want to recognise and pay homage to Will and thank him on behalf of our organisation for what he's brought," Davison said.

"The mark of a champion to me is to perform at a high level consistently over a long period of time, and he ticks all of those boxes.

"I've extremely enjoyed working with him over the last three years, the quality of the athlete that he is and to prepare and present himself as he does.

"He jumps in the car every single session wanting to improve, whether it's a hundredth, a tenth, and that's just credit to himself and the condition that he's in.

"There aren't many fairytales in sport. Ash Barty is one, Joe Daniher, Oscar McInerney, that have won the flag and then go out in their own manner.

"But that moment shouldn't discount his career, what he's done and how we should applaud his career, not just for what he's done for us but also the competition, and I want to thank him personally and on behalf of DJR."