WHEN Will Davison arrived at Mount Panorama this week ahead of his 17th Bathurst 1000 start he had a big smile on his face - a smile he admits he struggled to muster earlier this year.
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After the COVID-19 pandemic led to the withdrawal of 23Red Racing's major sponsor in May, Davison found himself without a full-time drive.
A season which had started in such promising fashion - he had steered his Mustang to a pair of top five placings at Adelaide - was over.
On top of that his wife Riana - a pit lane reporter - was sidelined as well. Davison admits it was a period in which he struggled.
"There were times I felt like I was drowning, but it's a true test of your resolve when you face some adversity and challenges. I'm pretty proud of the way Riana and I have dealt with it, we're really lucky we've got each other as a couple," the 38-year-old said.
"It was a very weird year and I try to pride myself on being pretty strong in the head and glass half full, but of course there were times that were testing and nothing was going our way.
"But out of every negative I try to draw a positive, so we knuckled down, when it's backs against the wall it's sink or swim right?"
One of the positives Davison was able to draw strength from was that he knew his signature as a co-driver would be highly coveted given has vast experience.
"For a little while it was hard to wrap my head around the fact I was just going to be a co-driver," he said.
"But didn't want to get caught up in the negativity. Obviously it was a tough time and I had a lot to deal with, but I knew once the dust settled I could focus on getting myself the best co-drive I possibly could."
While COVID-19 saw the the season calendar revised to have just one endurance round - the Bathurst 1000 - Davison ranks as one of the favourites given the co-drive he landed is with Cameron Waters.
Waters sits third in the championship, is the most recent race winner, and steers a Tickford Mustang - a car Davison is very familiar with.
So after dealing with "a pretty crappy situation", Davison is again excited and optimistic. That smile is back on his face. He is intent on making the most of his chance.
"For me, obviously being out of the car for a few months, I'm like a kid again going to his first race. I'm really excited to get back into the car and especially at Bathurst," he said.
"I'm focused on a huge result there and can't wait to get back to doing what I love and I hope I can get next year's plan together and I'll be back full time next year.
"I think I'm only better for this situation and hopefully we'll be back out there next year and I'll look back at this year as a really integral one and one I gained a lot out of.
"I'm pretty hopeful it is just a small speed hump and now with Bathurst I've got a shot at hopefully salvaging something out of the year."
