Davison gives Ford last say in V8s season

Ford driver Will Davison won the season-ending V8 Supercars race on Sunday to ensure Holden didn't claim all the bragging rights from the historic weekend.

In the last head-to-head battle between the two manufacturers after a famed 20-year rivalry, the 30-year-old led for nearly the whole 250km race to take the chequered flag.

Starting from second on the grid, Davison held his nerve to beat home Holden pair Craig Lowndes and James Courtney and notch his eighth victory in an impressive season.

The triumph was a relief for Ford fans after Lowndes won Saturday's opening race at the tight 3.42km Sydney Olympic Park street circuit as Holden grabbed six of the seven top spots.

Davison's winning margin was just 2.5831sec over Lowndes, who sealed second spot in the championship behind Holden teammate Jamie Whincup.

The result gave TeamVodafone a one-two in the drivers' championship for the second straight season and Whincup was later formally presented with his fourth championship crown.

Tim Slade was fourth in Sunday's 74-lap race and Whincup fifth while Jonathon Webb, David Reynolds, Steve Owen, Jason Bright and Steven Richards completed the top 10.

Holden claimed 11 championships to Ford's nine during the course of the 20 years, while Holden won 350 races to Ford's 218.

Ford and Holden will be joined in the category by Nissan and Mercedes in 2013, when new design specifications for the fleet will also be introduced.

- AAP