Kostecki confident of Tickford gains in Tasmania

Jake Kostecki is confident Tickford Racing can make "good gains" in its 2022 title charge in Tasmania.

It comes after Kostecki had a frustrating debut with the Ford squad in Sydney earlier this month.

The 22-year-old departed Sydney Motorsport Park with finishes of 19th and 24th.

He demonstrated good race pace, improving on his qualifying result in Race 1, before a starter motor issue after a spin in Race 2 stunted his progress.

It was a different story for Tickford teammate Cam Waters, who led the team with a fourth-place finish in Race 2.

Ten days out from the Tasmania event, Kostecki joined rookie teammate Thomas Randle to visit students at Ravenswood Heights Primary School in Launceston.

Speaking to the media at the event, Kostecki said he remains hopeful the team will overturn its fortunes in Tasmania.

“Sydney was a tough first round with the team,” Kostecki said.

“They have struggled in the past there, it's no lie they struggled again this year, but I’m pretty confident we can make good gains for Tassie.

“Cam scored two poles there last year and there’s no reason why we can’t do it again this year.

“I know we are fast in Tassie, so I’m really looking forward to getting here.”

Kostecki is now in his second year of full-time driving in Supercars, and his first in a Ford Mustang.

The Western Australian equalled his career-best qualifying at Symmons Plains in 2021, starting 11th aboard his Matt Stone Racing Commodore. 

Tickford demonstrated good one-lap pace at Symmons Plains, with Waters scoring two ARMOR ALL Pole Positions at the circuit in 2021.

Waters finished fourth in Sydney

However, he infamously fell short of victory both times.

Regardless, Waters was pleased with fourth after a frustrating Saturday in Sydney.

“We ended up fourth, which we’re super happy with after yesterday,” he said.

"We were really competitive in qualifying in mixed conditions, the shootout was really good, and the car was a lot better in dry racing, so we definitely moved forward.

"We still have a bit of work to do as a team, we should’ve been better than we were this weekend, but we’ll bounce back in Tassie.”

Waters, James Courtney, Randle,and Kostecki are sixth, 12th, 17th, and 21st in the championship respectively.

The Repco Supercars Championship field will return to Symmons Plains for the NED Whisky Tasmania SuperSprint across March 26-27.

Tickets are on sale through Supercars.com and Ticketek.