Will Davison
A smooth and calculated driver who etched his name twice on the Mount Panorama podium, mastering Australia's most grueling motor race.
Born 1982 (age 44)·Australian racing driver·Birthday: August 30·Millennials
Biography
Will Davison carries the legacy of Australian motorsport in his blood, yet has carved a distinct path defined by precision and big-race temperament. The grandson of four-time Bathurst 1000 winner Lex Davison, he entered the Supercars championship with expectation and quickly proved his mettle. Davison's driving style is often noted for its clean, technical efficiency rather than outright aggression. This approach bore ultimate fruit at Mount Panorama, where he first conquered the Bathurst 1000 in 2009 with Garth Tander for the Holden Racing Team, in a dramatic rain-affected finish. He proved it was no fluke by winning the great race again in 2016, this time co-driving with Jonathan Webb. His career has seen him pilot for powerhouse teams like Dick Johnson Racing and Tickford, consistently fighting at the front and securing numerous race wins. Beyond the cockpit, Davison is known for his thoughtful, analytical perspective on the sport, making him a respected voice in the paddock.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Will was born in 1982, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Will Was Born
The biggest hits of 1982
#1 Movie
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Best Picture
Gandhi
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Will's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1982Born
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1987Started school
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1995Became a teenager
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1998Could drive
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2000Could vote
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Turned 21
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2012Turned 30
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2022Turned 40
Russia invades Ukraine; Queen Elizabeth II dies
Gas: $3.97/galHome: $348,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"As It Was" — Harry StylesBest Picture: Everything Everywhere All at Once
2026Age 44 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the Bathurst 1000 twice, in 2009 (with Garth Tander) and 2016 (with Jonathan Webb).
- Finished as runner-up in the Supercars Championship drivers' standings in 2009 and 2016.
- Secured pole position for the prestigious Bathurst 1000 in 2021, demonstrating enduring speed at the circuit.
- Has accumulated over 20 race wins in the Supercars Championship across his long career.
Did You Know?
His grandfather, Lex Davison, is a four-time winner of the Australian Grand Prix, a race that was then for Formula Libre cars.
Davison briefly pursued a career in European single-seater racing before returning to Australia to compete in Supercars.
He and his wife, Riana, are actively involved in charity work, particularly supporting children's health initiatives.
He drove the #17 Ford Mustang for Dick Johnson Racing, a number historically associated with the team's founder and legend Dick Johnson.
“You have to be inch-perfect to win at this level.”
