Toby Davis

Toby Davis is a racing driver from Great Britain, who grew up in Much Marcle, Herefordshire. Toby won a scholarship in 2016, put on by Tony Gilham, which enabled him to start his racing career.[1]

Toby Davis
NationalityBritish
BornHereford, Herefordshire
Volkswagen Racing Cup career
Debut season2016 Volkswagen Racing Cup
Current teamTeam HARD
Car number34
Starts25
Wins2
Poles2
Previous series
British Superkart Championship

Karting career

Davis made his karting debut in 2006, entering in the club championship for Junior TKM, held at Little Rissington. A successful 2007 season saw him finish 3rd in the championship, leading to an upgrade to the F250 National gearbox kart championship in 2008. In 2009, Davis made his long circuit debut at Oulton Park, coming away with 3rd overall in his first ever event. Having finished in the top 15 in his first season in the championship, podiums would follow in 2010 and he ended up vice-champion in the F250 Challenge to his brother, Ben.

From 2011 until 2016, Davis was supported by the factory Viper Racing outfit, leading to multiple race wins and a series of top 5 championship finishes, despite continual budget issues. In 2013, he was the British MSA Superkart Grand Prix champion.[2]

Racing career

In winter 2015, Tony Gilham of Team HARD put on his 2nd scholarship competition, open to the public for anyone with little to no car racing experience. Of the 130 men and women who entered, Davis was the chosen winner, for which the prize was a fully funded drive in the UK's VW Racing Cup.[1] Davis said of the scholarship day:

"There isn’t a better opportunity in motorsport than the one provided by Team-HARD. To be part of a team with both the pedigree and the spread of talent in many different championships is massive for a young driver looking to progress in the sport, and I’m so grateful to Tony and the team for putting their faith in me."[1]

In his first race weekend for Team HARD, at Rockingham, Davis took 5th place in the first race despite qualifying last due to a car gremlin, before winning only his second ever car race.[3] A difficult race weekend at Oulton Park was followed by 2nd on the grid for Silverstone on the Grand Prix layout, despite having never driven the car in the wet before this session. Davis went on to take a podium in the rain-soaked race later in the day.[4]

At his first visit to Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium, Davis took 5th and 9th places (despite leading at one point in race 2), before heading to Snetterton, where he took a 9th place and a DNF due to a progressively declining mechanical issue.

At Donington Park, Davis took both available pole positions, again in inclement conditions. In race 1, he narrowly missed out on the win due to a safety car interrupting a 3-second lead.[5] In race 2, he showed his inexperience by over-correcting a slide at the Old Hairpin, collecting the tyre barriers and ending his race. In race 3, the hastily repaired car was no match for his rivals, and despite defending hard from those around him, 6th place was all he could manage.[5]

At the final round at Brands Hatch, Davis didn't start race 1 due to a technical gremlin. Starting from the back in race 2, he came through the field with a strong opening lap to finish 5th. Starting 7th on the grid in the finale, he again came through the field to finish 3rd and take his final podium of the season.

2017 Season

Davis is currently looking for partnerships to finalise his budget for the 2017 season, to once again drive for Team-HARD. Racing.

Racing record

Career summary
Season Series Team Races Wins Poles F/Laps Podiums Position
2009 British Superkart Championship Davis Racing 7 0 0 0 0 13th
2010 British Superkart Championship Davis Racing 6 0 0 0 2 12th
2011 British Superkart Championship Davis Racing with Viper Racing UK 6 0 0 0 4 4th
2012 British Superkart Championship Davis Racing with Viper Racing UK 6 1 1 2 4 3rd
2013 British Superkart Championship Davis Racing with Viper Racing UK 6 2 0 1 3 4th
2014 British Superkart Championship Davis Racing with Viper Racing UK 6 0 0 2 0 5th
2015 British Superkart Championship Davis Racing with Viper Racing UK 6 0 1 1 4 3rd
2016 British Superkart Championship Davis Racing with Viper Racing UK 6 0 0 0 3 6th
British VW Racing Cup Team HARD 13 1 2 0 3 8th
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References
  1. TeamHARD., Tim Holmes (Tim-Holmes.com) &. "Toby davis announced as the winner of the team hard vw scholarship | News | Team-HARD". www.team-hard.com. Retrieved 7 October 2016.
  2. "Much Marcle driver Toby Davis wins National British Superkart Grand Prix". Hereford Times. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
  3. "YOUNGSTER DAVIS SHINES WITH 'ROCK' SOLID WEEKEND". www.vwracingcup.co.uk. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
  4. "HOUSE TAKES OPENING RACE WIN BEFORE WEATHER CONDITIONS HAMPER WEEKENDS RUNNING". www.vwracingcup.co.uk. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
  5. "CHAMPIONSHIP HEATS UP AS WITTS WINS TWICE TO CLOSE THE CHAMPIONSHIP LEAD". www.vwracingcup.co.uk. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
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