Tickford: We have to channel frustration into results
Tickford Racing is motivated to turn its Perth frustration into strong results, says engineer Sam Potter.
Wins went begging in all three races at the last-start round at Wanneroo Raceway.
Cam Waters led the Saturday night race before he was passed late on by Shane van Gisbergen.
The next day, emotions boiled over after Waters lost a likely win due to a penalty.
Later, van Gisbergen again demoted a Tickford Mustang, this time James Courtney, in the finale.
Potter, who is Waters’ race engineer, said the team is inspired to turn its disappointment into trophies.
The duo combined for Tickford's most recent win in Townsville last July.
"If it was for P2 or P3, our emotions would have been a lot less," Potter told Supercars.com.
"Wins have been hard to come by this year; it’s so competitive.
"Hopefully that’s not the only opportunity we get. We’re pretty confident after Perth.
"We have to channel our frustration at those results into positive results on track this weekend."
Waters recently said Perth marked a key step forward for the team after an inconsistent start to the season.
"We’ve had a pretty up and down start to the season, but Perth was definitely a good step for us even with what happened in the second race," Waters said.
"It was good for our championship and gave us a bit of momentum we can carry into this weekend.
Potter and Waters in Perth
"Winton’s a tough little track but it makes for good, hard racing, so I’m looking forward to getting back up there and having a crack."
Potter has been Waters’ right-hand man for the balance of the drivers’ Supercars career.
He explained that qualifying will of be of utmost importance considering Winton’s tight layout.
"Qualifying here will be critical, because it’s hard to pass," Potter said.
"It was a similar story in Perth, but we managed to make it work there.
"If you pit early, generally people cover you off.
"But it worked for JC [Courtney] in that last race; he pitted and no one else did, and he got clean air."
The 2022 season will resume at Winton this weekend. Purchase your tickets now.
