Ford Performance Racing’s Will Davison is one of the fastest men in the country though last night he showed he can be slow when he needs to when he challenged Australia’s World Indoor Lawn Bowls Champion Karen Murphy to a few ends in the pit lane at the Ipswich 300 V8 Supercars race.
Davison showed all the finesse needed to quickly read the unique portable green in front of FPR’s garage.
Using custom-designed Taylor bowls engraved with his race number and coloured in his usual orange and blue hue, the championship contender surprised Murphy who was forced to call on her world-beating form to just outwit Davison in the final end.
“I was certainly all show though I have to thank Taylor Bowls for my wicked-looking orange bowls – at least I looked the part,” Davison said.
“I definitely knew the camber of pit lane which maybe helped a little though I think there were a few flukes as the ball often did the opposite of what I wanted it to.
“After seeing Karen do it with ease I can see the finesse involved. Lawn bowls is very different to our sport but the pressure and the controlled aggression required is the same. You have to be so gentle and accurate. I had a lot of fun.”
Self-confessed car nut Murphy – Australia’s most capped player – enjoyed a hot lap with Davison before the game and was overwhelmed by the skill required to drive a V8 Supercar.
“It was awesome,” Murphy said of the lap. “I was very nervous before we did it though I knew Will was going to look after me.
“I had a ball, it was great fun and Will is a real master of his trade. I have a far better respect for what these guys do.
“Will also did pretty well when it came to my sport. He towelled me up a little bit as I think his local knowledge maybe helped him.”
Qualifying and race one of the Ipswich 300 takes place later today with a further qualifying session and race to follow tomorrow.
