A growing list of motor racing disciplines in Asia is placing the region as a burgeoning option in the plans of aspiring Australian racers.
Charles Davison now fronts up the commercial department of the Asian Le Mans Series and believes the direct path for Australians wanting to break into Europe or America is becoming too prohibitive.
Davison is the older brother of James Davison who sacrificed everything to move to the US seven years ago and who recently made the most of a one-off drive in the Indy 500 to finish a highly meritorious 16th.
“The opportunities in Europe and America are becoming increasingly difficult ,” Davison, the grandson of four-times Australian Grand Prix winner Lex Davison told Speedcafe.com.
“You just need to speak to my brother in America just to see how hard it is.
“The Asian Le Mans Series provides a good springboard to cater for those Aussie and New Zealand drivers who want to advance their careers towards endurance/Le Mans-type sports car racing in Europe.
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“So Asia acts as a good platform now in an environment that is expanding in a number of genres of motorsport from sports car to open wheelers.”
Star Red Bull F1 signing Daniel Ricciardo used the Formula BMW Asia Championship in 2006 to help nurture his European path, at the time finishing third in the final standings behind Kiwi ace Earl Bamber.
More recently decorated Carrera Cup runner Craig Baird and fellow Gold Coast-based racer Warren Luff have had starts in the GT Asia series.
Davison, the son of former colourful Sandown promoter Jon Davison, said that Asia has become fair ground for significant championships and is becoming a relevant option for Australian competitors seeking international careers.
“Motorsport in the last couple of years has really started to take off here,” Davison said.
“Whereas when I first started working in China in 2008 it was not at the level that it is now.
“You have F1, a WEC round, Asian Le Mans Series, GT Asia, the China Touring Car Championship, Formula Masters China Series, German DTM is coming and the World Touring Cars are here as well.”
Davison secured his position with the Asian LMS last month, following his motorsport passion after having worked as a broker in commercial real estate and serving as an interpreter for the FIA WEC at Shanghai last year.
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