Waters downplays Mustang Bend form

Cam Waters believes team performance, not car advantage, will dictate running in Tailem Bend.

The 2022 season will resume this weekend at the OTR SuperSprint.

The Bend Motorsport Park has been a Mustang stomping ground since the model’s debut in 2019.

Mustangs have won 10 of 11 races, and claimed 10 of 11 poles, at The Bend since 2019.

Waters won races at the South Australian venue in 2020 and 2021, and is a favourite to add to his tally.

While confident he and Tickford Racing will be strong, Waters believes the margins will be closer between teams.

Waters defeated van Gisbergen at The Bend last May

“I wouldn’t say a car in particular will dominate,” Waters told Supercars.com.

"Triple Eight will be strong, DJR will be strong, we’ll be strong.

“It’ll be the team that turns up on the day. Traditionally, we’ve been relatively strong there.

“We’ve learnt a lot since we were there last year.

“I’m pretty eager to get there and see how we go."

Three different Ford teams shared the wins last year, although Shane van Gisbergen capitalised on rivals’ misfortune to top-score for the weekend.

The caveat to van Gisbergen’s results was Waters being taken out in a first-lap incident in the first Sunday race.

The Tickford driver, who will record 100 round starts this weekend, is an improved force this season.

Waters is on a run of 13 consecutive top 10 finishes, three of them victories.

He is also on a run for four straight podiums dating back to Darwin.

Van Gisbergen is still 330 points up the road, and Waters reiterated he still has speed to find on his Holden rival.

It was Waters and van Gisbergen who put on a grandstand finish at The Bend last May, as they have done on a number of occasions this season.

While pleased to maximise in Townsville, Waters expects to set the running this weekend.

“Townsville wasn’t a bad weekend; two third, and lots of points,” said Waters, who has spent time in hometown Mildura between events.

“We closed the gap to Anton, just not Shane. Even then, it wasn’t massive.

“The main thing was we were consistent, which is what we’ve been looking for.

“We’ve been fast at The Bend the last few years, and we’re expecting the same.

“We’re going to go there to get poles and win races."

Cars will hit the track at the OTR SuperSprint on Saturday. Purchase your tickets now.