V8 driver Will Davison sings the praises of partner Riana Crehan

Two-time Bathurst winner Will Davison speaks candidly about his love for his long-term partner Riana Crehan, a V8 Supercars pit lane commentator.

Will Davison and long term partner Riana Crehan are similar to many couples.

They love nothing more than taking their dogs for a walk along the beach, exercising together, travelling together, and sharing a breakfast at their favourite local café.

But unlike many other couples, Will and Riana life their lives at a fast pace.

READ MORE:

> LIVE BLOG: All the action from Townsville 400 Day 2

> Everything you need to know: 2019 Watpac Townsville 400

> PHOTOS: Townsville’s 2019 Transporter Parade a hit

The super-glamorous couple is in Townsville this weekend for the V8 Supercars Watpac 400, Will as a driver and Riana as a highly regarded pit-lane commentator.

Will and Riana say they love visiting Townsville for the V8 Supercars event, but are such fans of the city they have visited for non-motorsport related events.

“We have been to Townsville for many years with the V8s so have made some really good friends, who we visit from time to time during the year,” Riana says. “We love Townsville, the weather, the people, The Strand. It’s such a beautiful city and we look forward to visiting anytime of the year.”

Will Davison and Riana Crehan. Picture: Supplied

The former dancer, and registered nurse, has been a mainstay of V8 Supercars events for more than a decade as her role a pit-lane commentator interviewing drivers, mechanics, engineers and commenting on the race.

Riana, a 2005 Miss V8 Supercars, met Will, a two-time Bathurst 1000 winner, at a New Zealand motorsport race in 2006.

During races, Riana covers action in the pit lane and around the track to viewers and listeners so they can keep informed of the event.

Speaking to the EYE in the lead up to this weekend, Will couldn’t help hide his appreciation for his partner.

“She really understands me and she really understands the sport,” he says. “She has been an amazing rock and support for me. I don’t know where I’d be without her to be honest.

“I can really vent and speak to her about it (motorsport), and on the other hand she is able to pull me into line a little bit as well.”

The pair is used to mixing their work and home lives, with Will saying it’s great to have his partner at his races.

“Motorsports can get all consuming, it is very unhealthy mentally when you eat, breathe and sleep one thing,” he says. “Riana knows what I go through.

“So to unwind we love getting out there and taking our mind off motorsports.

“We enjoy taking part in triathlons together. I’ve challenged myself with ironman events and charity bike rides.”

Will says his love of motorsport hasn’t wanned despite being involved in racing for more than two decades.

“I can’t imagine doing anything else,” he says. “I have been racing literally the past 20, 25 years.

“I’m still as nervous today as I was as that kid on a goat kart track as a 10 year old. I still get those butterflies and that nervous energy to perform and do well. I still feel like, whether I’m standing on the podium at Bathurst, or when I won my club championships as a 10yo, it is the same feeling of pride.”

Will says the highs and lows of professional sport are many.

Will Davison and Riana Crehan.

“There is a lot of things in professional sport that happen out of your control and you just have to do what you have to do at times to stay in the sport and to compete,” he says. “You are in the hands of a lot of other people. You have to try to keep that passion and obviously having a family that is passionate about it, you get to share those experiences.

“There are a lot more low days in motorsports than there are high so you have to strip it back to what it is all about.

“And what it is about for me is something that I love and something I did as a hobby as a kid. I never really envisioned it being my livelihood. I purely did it because I loved it and I have been able to make a career at of it.”

Will Davison in a qualifying lap of the 2018 Watpac Townsville 400. Picture: Alix Sweeney

And what would Will change about his motorsport career?

“If I could have my way again, I would learn better ways of how to deal with bad days and how to better dust myself off and pick myself up,” he says. “You have to learn to evolve as a professional athlete, and learn to manage your time, your efforts, and your energy because it can burn you out at times. I’ve had my share of ups and downs but at the end of the day you have to remind yourself that you are absolutely living your dream.

“I’m probably enjoying my racing more this year more than I have in the past three or four years. I’m enjoying the team I’m with, the guy that owns my team, Phil Monday, is a great guy.

“I’ve brought it back to basics, taken pressure off myself, trying to enjoy my racing and just take that pressure off that can at times wear you down.”

The Watpac Townsville 400 is being held this weekend. Go to supercars.com/townsville/

Originally published as V8 driver Will Davison sings the praises of partner Riana Crehan