Alex Davison has emerged as a serious contender to drive the fourth Ford Performance Racing-prepared Falcon in next year’s V8 Supercars Championship.

The 2013 expansion of the factory Ford operation comes courtesy of forklift tycoon Charlie Schwekolt, who confirmed in late June that he will shift his Racing Entitlements Contract from Dick Johnson Racing to FPR next year. The move is set to leave DJR to operate as a three car team, with Norton-backed driver James Moffat expected to make the switch to Kelly Racing’s soon-to-be-rebranded Nissan Motorsport outfit.

Schwerkolt insists that he is keeping an open mind on who will drive his entry next year, although Davison and FPR’s current Dunlop Series driver Chaz Mostert are the two names being most heavily linked to what is a highly sought after drive.

“I just want to keep seeing what everyone is up to out there,” Schwerkolt to Speedcafe.com of his progress on locking in a driver.

“There are a couple of guys who are running the enduros (that I’m looking at), so I need to carefully plan what I’m doing and where I’m going.

“Alex is a good steerer, and he’s a good guy as well, so he’s certainly in the mix,” he added when asked of Davison.

“Chaz is in the mix too. Unfortunately, he’s not running in the enduros, but I’m watching every Development Series race with interest.”

The older brother of current FPR driver Will Davison, Alex has four previous V8 Supercars seasons to his name with Perkins Engineering (2005) and Stone Brothers Racing (2009-2011).

Competing in the Carrera Cup this year, Davison told Speedcafe.com that he’s firmly focussed on returning to the V8 Supercars Championship in 2013.

“There are some good opportunities but a few of those seats I think will require the drivers to bring some budget,” said Davison of his chances of returning a full-time ride.

“For me, it (the FPR drive) would be fantastic to get for next year as I’ve got a lot of unfinished business in V8s.

“I’ve never been more motivated to get back into the category and there are opportunities out there, but until something is officially signed I’m not getting too excited.”

Davison’s 2012 duties also sees him competing in the Schwerkolt/DJR Ford alongside Moffat at Sandown and Bathurst.

Mostert meanwhile told Speedcafe.com at Sandown that he remains hopeful of impressing Schwerkolt and the FPR team over the remaining events of this year’s Dunlop Series.