Personal Biography
Jon Deakin Davison

Jon was educated at Xavier College and rowed in two Head of the River crews, four championship athletic teams and represented Portsea Surf Life Saving Club in the Australian Senior Surf Boat Championships. Jon studied economics at Monash University, is a qualified private pilot, a member of the Portsea Surf Life Saving Club Foundation, the Scotch College Foundation, the Melbourne Cricket Club, the Victorian Racing Club and has been a member of the Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine (U.S.A.).

   Since 1980, Jon has conducted over 2,000 public presentations throughout Australia and New Zealand, representing the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Road Trauma Committee and studied Road Accident Reconstruction techniques at Northwestern University in Chicago. These activities were sponsored by Mercedes Benz, BMW and A.A.M.I. Jon has also had extensive experience within the Australian Legal system, providing over 1,000 opinions to Queens Council, Barristers and Solicitors on matters pertaining to Culpable Driving, Coronial Inquests, Vehicle and Road Design and Driver Education. In 1988 Jon was nominated for the B.H.P. Award for Excellence in the field of Community Service.

   In November 1990, Jon with the endorsement of the Melbourne Racing Club (MRC), acquired control of Sandown International Motor Raceway and rebuilt the sponsorship base, including selling of signage and event naming rights, Sandown reintroduced Special Broadcasting Services (SBS) to Australian Motorsport which included a five (5) year contract to televise live two (2) major motorsport events, one being the famous Sandown 500. Sandown under Jon’s control was recognised as one of Australia's most progressive and professionally managed circuits and was renowned for its presentation, attention to detail, community spirit and innovative marketing.

   During the seventeen (17) years as Sandown's Promoter, Jon successfully changed the City of Greater Dandenong permit thereby enabling a greater range of motor racing and car club events and renegotiated the lease agreement with the Melbourne Racing Club. In 2001 Jon concluded negotiations with Australian Multi-Millionaire Ross Palmer to stage the famous Sandown 500 for the Nations Cup category which included Ferrari’s, Lamborgini’s, Dodge Viper’s, Porsche’s and Ford Mustang’s. However in 2003 the event reverted back to V8 Super Cars and was promoted in a joint venture with IMG. In 2007 the license agreement expired and the control of the circuit reverted back to the owners of the track - Melbourne Racing Club. In the same year Jon was awarded the Confederation of Australian Motorsports Award of Merit for his contribution and services to motorsport and Sandown in particular. In 1997 Jon developed the EASTERNATS Auto Spectacular into one of Australia’s largest street machine events, with entries exceeding 700 vehicles and crowds in excess of 30,000 patrons. The event is sponsored by Repco who became famous when they built the engines that powered Jack Brabham and Denny Hulme to world championships in 1966/67.

   Jon competed in nine (9) Australian Grand Prix driving a Formula 5000 Lola and is experienced in negotiating sponsorship with a large number of Australian and International companies. In 1988 he was influential in introducing the Board of CART to racing in Australia which resulted in the famous Indy Car Grand Prix on the Gold Coast. Jon is 60 years of age and has two sons, Charles 24 and James 22. He travels extensively to the United States to follow his son James in the Firestone Indy Lights.
 

Motor Racing & Business Career
 

1969

Jon is the son of the late Lex Davison four times winner of the Australian Grand Prix who was killed at Sandown whilst practising on 20th February, 1965. Jon commenced racing in a Formula 3 Brabham and competed in the Joseph Lucas - Lex Davison Series at Calder Park Raceway and other events at Mallala, Sandown and Warwick Farm.

1972-74

Rear of Jon Davison's Birrana Formula Ford, 1973

Competed in the TAA - Formula Ford Driver to Europe Series in a Birrana which was built by Tony Alcock who was employed by Graham Hill
in 1973-74. Purchased Matich A50 Formula 5000 and competed with this vehicle in the Australian Drivers Championship (Gold Star) and Tasman Series during 1974,75,76,77.

1974-77

Expert commentator for the Seven Network at Calder Motor Raceway, Hardie Ferodo 1000, Amaroo Park, Sandown International Motor Raceway and Adelaide International Raceway.

1975-81

Commentator for motor sport activities on Radio Station 3DB and 3AW. Represented motor sport on GTV9 - 3AK Yooralla Sportmans Committee raising money for disabled children. Jon sponsored three (3) girls in the money raising section, the entrants finishing third, second and first respectively over a three year period.

1977-82

Purchased ex Alan Jones Racing Lola 332 Formula 5000 and competed in 1977,78,79 Tasman Series and 1977,78,79, 80 Gold Star Series. Jon was runner-up in 1977 and 1980 Gold Star Series. Retired from motor racing in 1982. Committee Member of the Light Car Club of Australia who were the Promoters of the Sandown circuit.

1983-89

Purchased four (4) ATAR Mirage Engines and secured support from the Prime Minister and the Australian Air Force to mount an attempt on the World's Land Speed Record. Inspected Lake Eyre and Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah.

1988-90

Commenced negotiations with John Frasco, President of Championship Auto Racing Teams to secure Indy Car Race for Sandown. Travelled to Detroit to meet with Board to introduce concept and organised inspection of Sandown by CART Director of Operations Mr. Kirk F. Russell.

1990-95

Acquired rights to Sandown International Motor Raceway. Entered into (5) year television agreement to televise the Sandown 500 live and secured significant sponsorship from international companies including Schweppes, NGK, Shell, Dunlop and Ford. During this time the Sandown 500, the Shell Australian Touring Car Championship and the Foster's Historic meeting enjoyed increased attendances and television ratings.

Promoter Jon Davison was rewarded with Network TEN signing a 5 year agreement with a further three year option to televise the event nationally, thereby consolidating the races future and adding to its illustrious prestige. The securing of this important television package combined with the sponsorship from Tickford Vehicle Engineering, which included a 1 hour broadcast of qualifying on Saturday and a 5 hour telecast of the race on Sunday was one of the most important milestones in the events history. The race was eventually won by Craig Lowndes who past Glenn Seton's Falcon with only four (4) laps to go. In 1997 in front of the largest crowd in twenty (20) years, Murphy and Lowndes drove superbly in appalling conditions to win from Larry Perkins and Russell Ingall. In 1998 Larry Perkins finally won his third 500 with co-driver Russell Ingall. In 1999 the event was not held.

In 2000 Jon negotiated the revival of the event with Australian multi-millionaire Ross Palmer, the race being staged for the internationally acclaimed Nations Cup Category which includes Ferraris, Lamborghini’s, the new 2 door Holden Monaro and Ford Mustangs. In 2001, the 500 was narrowly won by John Bowe and Tom Waring in their Ferrari F360 in what was a sensational finish. In 2002 the event was won by Paul Stokell and Anthony Tratt in their Lamborghini Diablo by a 3 second margin from Jim Richards and Tony Quinn in a Porsche GT3. In 2003 a five year agreement was concluded whereby the event will be staged for V8 Supercars and be known as the “Betta Electrical 500” with the contract to sponsor the event renewed until 2007. In 2005 the EASTERNATS attracted a record entry of 707 cars and 40,000 patrons, whilst the Betta Electrical 500 won by Craig Lowndes in a BA Falcon ironically sponsored by Betta Electrical. The event attracted a crowd of 50,000. During 2005 – 08 Jon travelled extensively to the United States where his son James competed in the Champ Car Atlantic Series and finished second in the highly competitive Star Mazda championship.

Jon continues to promote the EASTERNATS which is now recognised as Australia’s premier street machine event.

SANDOWN INTERNATIONAL MOTOR RACEWAY

P.O. BOX 123, KEW. 3101. VIC, AUSTRALIA

Email davo@sandownraceway.com.au

www.sandownraceway.com.au

Melbourne Racing Club to manage Motorsport at Sandown

Melbourne. Wednesday 20th December. Sandown Promoter Jon Davison has received notification that the Melbourne Racing Club (MRC) is to assume control of motor racing at Sandown on the 1st October, 2007.  

“Although I am very disappointed given the hard work and attention to detail that I lavished on Sandown since 1991, I understand the horse racing industry is confronting many challenges, so it was logical that the owners of the venue would ultimately acquire control. This is in the best long term interests of motorsport as it is highly unlikely that any Promoter, would be prepared to commit to the costs of upgrades when they do not own the land”.

“Motorsport at Sandown has offered many challenges including the tobacco debate, the dramatic increase in the number of horse race meetings, significant changes in Occupational Health and Safety, the rise in power of entrants/competitor groups, the disaffiliation of Bob Jane and Calder Raceway, the structural changes within CAMS and the State Government’s devotion to the Grand Prix, have all provided commercial challenges that are separate to those experienced in normal day to day trading”.  

“I leave Sandown proud of my achievements which include the rebuilding of the Sandown 500, the introduction of SBS television, the strong advocacy for the adoption of a domestic V8 Formula, the sponsorship of the 500 by Tickford/ Ford, the live television of the 500 by Network TEN prior to their involvement with V8 Supercars, the enhancing of state level and historic motorsport events and changes to the Council Permit which assisted motorsport and the development of the EASTERNATS as a nationally recognised vibrant stand alone event”.

“I have enjoyed my association with the Melbourne Racing Club and look forward to our continued association with the EASTERNATS which operates under a separate agreement”.

For further details contact Jon Davison 0418 386 640.

As Jon Davison prepares to leave the circuit, Mark Fogarty wonders whether motor racing at Sandown will ever be the same

HOPEFULLY, AT some stage during this weekend's Sandown 500, someone senior from V8 Supercars will take the opportunity to publicly thank Jon Davison for keeping the track alive.
  Without Davison’s enthusiasm and determination, there wouldn't be car racing at Sandown and no grand stage for the VS championship in metropolitan Melbourne.
No doubt, Davo will make sure he gets the chance to say farewell and thank the fans - and no doubt it won’t be a short address. His Sandown soliloquy will cause people to roll their eyes and shuffle their feet, but even if he does go on a bit, he deserves to be heard.
  Equally, Davo deserves a fitting (if shorter) tribute from V8 Supercar officials - and some leading drivers - for his tireless efforts to maintain one of Australian motor sport's most valuable venues.
  This weekend's meeting is Davison's last as the motorsport promoter at Sandown, although the 500 is actually put on by IMG.
But Davo will be there, fussing and fretting about this and that, as he has done since taking over the running of the circuit in 1991, rescuing it from the ashes of the original promoter and organiser, the Light Car Club of Australia.
  From the end of the month, the Melbourne Racing Club - owner of the suburban Sandown horse and car racing complex - takes over the motorsport operations, which will be overseen by racecourse manager Wayne Calderwood.
Davo didn't want to give up his lease and you know he will miss being the squire of Sandown International Motor Raceway.
  He loves the place and what it represents, which is a fully-featured, fan-friendly facility that offers unrivalled comfort and access for the paying public.
  There is also a strong, if heart-breaking, attachment as his father, the late and great Lex Davison, was killed at Sandown in 1965. As a member of a genuine motor racing dynasty, Jon Davison is passionate about the traditions and history of the sport, spending untold time and not-so-small fortune trying to uphold over the past 16 years.
  At heart, though, he has always been a promoter, albeit an old-fashioned P.T. Barnum-type character. Which is no bad thing. It's been easy over the years to take the mickey out of Davo's personalised style of promotion - and we all have - but his showmanship is to be applauded.
  Real promoters - entrepreneurs who try to put on shows that capture the public's imagination - are a dying breed.
  Davo is arguably the last in motorsport, using shameless self-promotion to give his events personality and pizzazz.
  "Jon Davison presents... " was a catchphrase of his advertising campaigns for race meetings and his Easternats street machine festival, along with refrains "That's unreal, Davo!" and "Good one, Davo!"
  As a colleague remarked, he has been "a great patron of motorsport, putting his heart and his quids into racing".
  Davison has also often been criticised for his outlandish statements, but more often than not, his views on the state of the sport have proved to be perceptive.
He is passionate and opinionated, and never lost for words. Ever.
  Several years ago, the aforementioned colleague interviewed Davo at his home. With his tape recorder already groaning under the weight of Davo's pronouncements, the journo switched it off while he went for a toilet break. During his absence, Davo had a flash of inspiration and turned the recorder back on to continue his discourse!
  For all his pretension, Davison never underestimated the paying spectator. "We must always relate to the fans - make them feel welcome and comfortable," he said recently in an unusually succinct summary of his philosophy.
  Like many others, he has concerns about the future of motorsport at Sandown under the MRC, which is adamant that it remains committed to car racing.
  Davo was surprised - and a little hurt - that the MRC didn't retain him as an advisor, but he will retain his link with Sandown through the Easternats - for which he has a five-year agreement - and possibly a second street machine event. He has put in a proposal to the MRC to stage another tyre-smoking shindig - to be called either Vicnats or Aussienats - each November from next year.
  Davo wants to continue promoting mainstream motorsport and plans to make his expertise available to Champ Car, convinced that some of the struggling series' events could be transformed by his showmanship.
  "I'm very interested in offering my services to a couple of tracks in the USA," he revealed. "I'd love to help Champ Car."
  The idea is not so left-field as it might sound. Davo, who pitched for the top job at CART several years ago, is just the sort of larger-than-life promoter Champ Car needs to cut through the clutter of the crowded motorsports market in the United States.
Also, spending more time over there would enable him to monitor more closely the rising racing career of his son James, who is a frontrunner in this year's Star Mazda junior open-wheel series and looks to have good long-term prospects.
  It's a shame that Jon Davison's unique - some might say, eccentric - brand of motorsport showmanship may be lost to another country, overwhelmed by the tide of V8 Supercars' clinical corporate approach to event promotion.
  V8SA executives won't miss Davo's outspoken opposition to their push for more street circuits at the expense of permanent tracks, but this weekend they should put aside their differences and acknowledge his role in saving an icon circuit and securing an icon event.
  And if you're at Sandown when he delivers his farewell speech, thank him with a rousing cheer and one last chant of "That's unreal, Davo!"