The Toll Holden Racing Team has confirmed that Will Davison will make his last start for the factory Holden team at next week’s season-ending Sydney Telstra 500 at Homebush.
After finishing second in last year’s V8 Supercars Championship Series and winning the coveted Barry Sheene Medal (V8’s best and fairest), Davison’s second season with Toll HRT has been nothing short of a disaster.
Things looked promising in the first race of the year in Abu Dhabi. Davison was running in third place, but an engine detonation set the tone for the rest of the year, which has gone on to include poor results, crashes and mechanical failures. He currently sits 21st in the championship.
Davison is set to switch from the factory Holden team to the factory Ford outfit, replacing Steven Richards in the #6 Ford Performance Racing Falcon FG.
According to the team, a replacement for Davison will be confirmed in the coming weeks. While championship leader James Courtney has been linked to the team, Speedcafe.com.au spoke to Kiwi hero Greg Murphy, who confirmed his desire to race for the factory squad. CLICK HERE for that story.
Toll HRT Managing Director Craig Wilson offered Davison his best wishes for the future.
“Since joining us, Will has been a highly valued member of the Toll HRT,” he said.
“He was offered a contract extension, but after what has been a difficult season for us all Will has elected to continue his V8 Supercar career elsewhere in 2011,” Wilson said.
“He will be leaving with our best wishes. Before then we are looking for him to finish the year on a high in Sydney.”
Davison’s 2010 season has tarnished what was a brilliant debut season with HRT in 2009. He scored a podium at the season-opening Clipsal 500, took his first career pole and first race win for the Toll HRT at Sandown and went on to clean sweep the V8 endurance races at Phillip Island and Bathurst.
