News
James Davison set for Australian S5000 debut at Albert Park
Ahead of his sixth attempt at the Indianapolis 500, James Davison will make his debut in the Australian S5000 Championship, competing at the Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix next month.
James, part of a dynasty of Davisons that have raced at the forefront of local and international motorsport, will drive a Team BRM-prepared S5000 at Albert Park against former Formula 1 star Rubens Barrichello, reigning Bathurst 1000 champion Alex Premat, and a strong group of young Australian and New Zealand challengers.
Davison started his career in Australian Formula Ford before heading to the United States where he raced in various single seater championships, sports cars and NASCAR.
This year will mark James’ fifth attempt at the Indianapolis 500. Last year, he scored his best finish in the world-famous race, finishing in 12th place overall.
His father, Jon, a long-time promotor of motorsport at Sandown Raceway, was one of the heroes of the Formula 5000 era in Australia that the new S5000 cars herald back to.
James’ late grandfather, Lex, was a four-time winner of the Australian Grand Prix.
Davison’s entry will be supported by USA-based grounds maintenance providers BYRD Enterprises, as well as Melbourne backers Sergi Mobile Crane Solutions.
Davison will get his first opportunity to test the Team BRM S5000 at Winton, alongside Rubens Barrichello, prior to the March 12-15 event at Albert Park.
QUOTES
James Davison
Driver, S5000
“I’ve been a fan of the S5000 series from it’s inception, as it brings back some of the magic of the Formula 5000 era of the 70s that my father drove in,” said Davison.
“The class really gives modern Motorsport fans what they want. The horsepower, big rear tyres and limited grip. It is going to be be a fun new challenge for me.
“Racing S5000 around Albert Park against Rubens Barrichello will be a fantastic experience and will no doubt attract interest from the F1 fans.
“I personally love the Albert Park layout and should make for some great racing.”
Chris Lambden
Category Manager, S5000
“James is one of the top Australians in US professional motorsport and will be a top contender at Albert Park,” said Lambden.
“Why he loves the Albert Park layout is because, a few years ago, he actually drove the Lola Formula 5000 car once raced by Alan Jones (and owned by his uncle, Richard Davison, at the time) in the historic F5000 event, and blew everyone away …
“He has thus experienced big horsepower at the place where S5000 will kick off its 2020 championship. Since then, he has carved out a great career in the States and so will be right in the thick of it.”