Davison built his reputation through consistent success at the top level of Australian club and national racing. His four Australian Grand Prix victories — in 1954, 1957, 1958, and 1961 — made him the first four-time winner of the event. He also won the Australian Drivers' Championship in 1957 and the Australian Hillclimb Championship three times, in 1955, 1956, and 1957. His breadth across circuit racing and hillclimb competition reflected the wide range of events that constituted the upper tier of Australian motorsport at the time.
In endurance racing he won Class A of the 1960 Armstrong 500 — the forerunner of the Bathurst 1000 — driving an NSU Prinz. The result underscored his adaptability across machinery.
In 1961 Davison competed at the 24 Hours of Le Mans alongside Bib Stillwell, sharing an Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato entered by the Essex Racing Stable. Their campaign ended on lap 25 when a blown head gasket forced retirement. In the same year, Davison won the GT support race at the British Grand Prix at Aintree, driving an Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato — a result achieved before a home crowd that included many of the leading figures in European motorsport. He also finished sixth in the Guards Trophy and tenth in the Intercontinental Championship race that year.
His international appearances brought him into direct competition with the leading drivers and cars of European sports car and grand prix racing, establishing his quality beyond the Australian domestic context.
On 20 February 1965, Davison died during a practice session for the International 100 at Sandown International Raceway. Accelerating through the dog-leg section of the back straight in his 2.5-litre Brabham-Climax at over 160 km/h, he suffered a heart attack at speed. The car left the road, struck a culvert, somersaulted, and crashed through a horse-railing fence. He sustained severe head injuries and was found dead when officials reached him. He was 42 years old.
Drivers who win the Australian Grand Prix are awarded the Lex Davison Trophy, recognising him as the event's first four-time winner. The trophy was designed by Rex Hays and incorporates a silver model of the Austin 7 that won the first Australian Grand Prix in 1928.
Davison was married to Diana Davison, herself a racing driver. His sons Jon Davison and Richard Davison both raced. His grandchildren Alex Davison, Will Davison, and James Davison all competed at the top level of Australian motorsport, with Will and James reaching international competition including the Indianapolis 500. The Davison family stands as one of Australian motorsport's great multi-generational dynasties, with Lex as its foundational figure.
Gallery · 4 related images
