Wall plotting possible special Sports Sedans return
David Wall is thinking about adding a new chapter to his family’s special connection to the Precision National Sports Sedan Series in 2025 by racing a historic car.
The former Supercars star has begun preparing the Chevrolet Corvette GTS his father Des took to the 2009 Australian Sports Sedans title for a possible return to the track in 2025.
The last time the Corvette raced was eight years ago back in 2016 when David Wall competed in the Sandown season opener and claimed three podiums.
Currently the Corvette is sitting in the Wall Racing workshop and David Wall outlined he has just started the process of seeing if it will be possible to race the Chev powered 6L beast again.
David Wall racing the Corvette at Sandown in 2016. Image: Supplied
With the obvious family ties to Sports Sedans with the coveted Des Wall Trophy held each year at Sydney Motorsport Park, a comeback has always weighed on the 41-year-old’s mind.
“Racing next year definitely is the hope,” Wall told Auto Action.
“If I can get a deal together once the calendar comes out for the series I could try and run to the car.
“I have been trying to race the car again since I raced it in 2016. I miss driving it and also being involved in the Sports Sedans Series.
“We are just starting the process in the background now.
“Obviously the car has been maintained ever since I last raced it in 2016 but race cars are meant to be driven and not parked in a workshop somewhere.
“Things when you are not using them can harden and crust up.
“All the bodywork is off to make a few improvements, mechanicals are underway, so it is just freshening up a lot of the things that have been sitting there like brake caliper, wheels and all the things you do not trust when they have not been racing for a while.
The Chev Corvette sitting in the Wall Racing workshop. Image: Supplied
“Instead of rushing we are starting the process nice and early in preparation.”
At this early point Wall admits he is unsure whether he will be in a position to race the full season, but made it clear he wants to race for the Des Wall Trophy again.
“There is a lot of water to cross under the bridge (but) if I could make all that happen I definitely want to race again next year,” he said.
“Not sure if it would be a full campaign or not I am not sure, but I definitely want to race for the trophy for my dad next year.
“The number one thing is to have some fun and then number two try and see if we can get my hands on my dad’s trophy.”
The famous yellow Corvette holds a special place among the countless stunning machines that have raced in Sports Sedans over the years.
Racing in a distinctive yellow and white paint scheme, Des Wall drove it to three wins at Mallala and Oran Park across the 2009 season.
However, it was his consistency that saw him outlast Tony Ricciardello and Darren Hossack in the race for the title with a season-high 11 podiums.
The 2009 season will never be forgotten by the Wall family as Des’ son David also secured the Australian GT Championship crown in dominant style with eight wins in a Porsche 911 – the only instance in the same year of Australian motorsport.
Since 2013 the Des Wall Trophy has been up for grabs on an annual basis with Peter Ingram the current holder.
Having raced his father’s car for his father’s trophy in 2016, Wall knows how special it would be to bring it back.
Des Wall on his way to the 2009 National Sports Sedan Series crown. Image: Auto Action Archive
“Having the opportunity to compete for the Des Wall trophy in the opening round of the Australian Sports Sedans Championship has to have been one of the most special things I have ever done,” Wall said at the time.
“To do it in Dad’s #38 Corvette – the car in which he claimed his Championship win – was an opportunity I just could not turn down. It was very, very cool.
“I was really looking forward to finally having a chance to drive it! I had not done more than a couple of laps at Mallala to run the diff in for my Dad once, but that was nothing like driving it in anger.
“Dad always said that the car was awesome to drive – and now I know exactly what he meant!
“These cars are absolutely phenomenal! The whole weekend was such an amazing experience.”
In addition to Sports Sedans, Wall Racing remains as busy as ever in 2024 competing in TCR Australia, GT, Porsche Carrera Cup and Sprint Challenge, meaning David will try to preapre the Corvette around the exsisting commitments.
The 2025 Precision National Sports Sedan Series calendar is yet to be revealed, but the 2024 season concludes at Bathurst on November 8-10.
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