Formula Ford regular Jennifer Mullan has agreed to a new and extended partnership with the historic Australian motor racing team, Ecurie Australie.
The County Down native has spent the last two years racing in Formula Ford 1600 to great success in the Mondello Park Champion of Mondello Series and last year, the All Ireland Formula Ford 1600 Championship. Having also travelled to Silverstone for the Walter Hayes Trophy event over the last two years, it was at the British Grand Prix Host venue where she came to meet Ecurie Australie’s Chris Davison in 2014 and the unique relationship began to develop.
After receiving an invitation to travel to Australia and join the team in a one-off event, Jennifer and her partner Paul Grogan made the trip in March to compete in the Historic Phillip Island Classic in the team’s Reynard FF84, and take to the grid with 50 of Australia’s finest historic Formula Ford competitors. With a progressive gridding system over five races, Mullan overcame some initial minor technical issues to finish the weekend just outside the top 20 overall.
Following the event, Jennifer and Paul, along with Chris Davison and his family, who have re-established the team originally setup by their father Lex Davison, the former multiple Australian Grand Prix winner, began to discuss the possibility of forming some stronger links for the future. After some detailed discussions and planning, a deal was formed, and earlier this year, Jennifer took delivery of a Van Diemen RF89, which is now in the final stages of being rebuilt by Paul Grogan’s P1 : Racing outfit, in preparation for her debut in the car at the Walter Hayes Trophy at Silverstone in just over a week’s time. Mullan will race the car under the Ecurie Australie team banner, and compete with the support of Brian Soule of Souley Motorsport.
Looking ahead to 2017, Jennifer and Paul are set to return to The Phillip Island Classic in March, with Jennifer again behind the wheel of the team’s Reynard FF84. Following this, they will then be taking part in selected races across Ireland and the UK in the RF89 Van Diemen.
Jennifer Mullan – #48 Ecurie Australie Van Diemen RF89:
“I am super excited to finally make this announcement and get behind the wheel of the Van Diemen. Having spent the last two years driving a Reynard FF84, I am looking forward to the challenge of driving a slightly more modern type of Formula Ford. To be part of the Ecurie Australie racing family is something very special and it’s a great honour for me to be representing them on the other side of the world. To not only be racing their RF89 between Ireland and the UK, being given the opportunity to return to Phillip Island early next year is just fantastic. I can’t thank the Davison family enough for putting their faith in me and to Paul for all the hard work and long hours re-building the car over the last few months. After last year’s disappointing end the Walter Hayes Trophy I can’t wait to get on track next week and have another shot at it.”
Chris Davison – Ecurie Australie:
“We re-established Ecurie Australie in 2015 as a mark of respect for my father Lex Davison, who had been killed 50 years earlier. Prior to his death, he had been working to create opportunities in motorsport for young people, but sadly these dreams were wiped out when both Lex and his young team driver Rocky Tresize were both killed only two weeks apart. My mother was also an excellent driver, and became highly respected in the Australian motorsport community. We feel through our association and friendship with both Jennifer and Paul that we can rekindle some of my father’s dreams by creating some unique opportunities, and also honor my late mother by helping to promote female participation in what is traditionally a male orientated sport. With my daughter Claire now also competing in historic FF1600, Jennifer is a perfect fit for our family team.”
Brian Soule – Souley Motorsport:
“I am very much looking forward to working with Jennifer at Silverstone in her ecurie Australie owned Van Diemen. I’ve had the pleasure of working with Ecurie Australie since 2014, and travelled down to Phillip Island earlier this year where we met Jennifer properly for the first time.”
