Why Waters' new Tickford deal was a 'no-brainer'

Cameron Waters remains committed to winning a championship with Tickford Racing, having re-signed with the team.

It was confirmed Monday that Waters has signed a new multi-year deal with Tickford, tying him to the team for 2022 and beyond.

The announcement of Waters' re-signing formally confirms Tickford 2022 driver line-up, with James Courtney, Thomas Randle and Jake Kostecki already locked in.

There was little doubt over Waters’ future, but driver and team still required a period of negotiation to seal the deal.

That deal was made public on Monday, with Monster Energy also inking a new deal to back the Waters #6 Mustang Supercar.

The 2022 Repco Supercars Championship will be the Mildura-born driver’s seven full-time campaign, each coming with Tickford.

Aside from a breakthrough Sandown 500 win in 2017, Waters had little to cheer about between 2016 and 2019.

It was in 2020 that the 27-year-old rose to another level, winning his first solo race in Tailem Bend and finishing runner-up to champion Scott McLaughlin.

Having narrowly missed out on a Bathurst 1000 to Shane van Gisbergen last October, Waters entered 2021 as a title favourite.

While van Gisbergen has pieced together an 11-win season to this weekend’s Bunnings Trade Sydney SuperNight, Waters has still managed to piece together his most successful campaign yet, and has pushed van Gisbergen on a number of occasions.

Waters won the 2015 Super2 for Tickford

Only van Gisbergen has more wins and poles than Waters so far this season - but the newly re-signed driver’s eyes still remain on the biggest prize.

"One hundred per cent, the goal is to win a championship," Waters said.

"We won the Super2 championship in 2015 and have built up to this point where the Monster Mustang is a genuine contender and we expect to compete for wins every race.

"I know I’ve taken a lot of steps forward as a driver, the team’s stepped up a lot in its own right to get to where we are, and I feel we’re ready for that next step.

"We have the tools and the opportunity to fight for a championship, and the goal is to win that fight.”

McLaughlin was always a step ahead in 2020, with a Bathurst disaster for Jamie Whincup helping Waters to second.

Waters has been van Gisbergen’s closest challenger this season beyond Whincup. Critically, Waters has been the most successful driver against van Gisbergen in race trim.

Having been in Waters’ corner since 2014, Tickford CEO and Team Principal Tim Edwards explained that the goal to deliver Waters a main game championship remains stronger than ever.

With Waters entering the “prime” of career, Edwards suggested a future with Waters in Tickford colours was the team’s best chance of title success in subsequent seasons.

"In 2016 we brought Cam up to our main game program with the goal to develop him into a champion,” Edwards explained.

'Cam’s entering the prime of his career as a driver'

"He’s made strong steps with us each year and has firmly established himself at that championship level, so we’re thrilled to be continuing with him into the years ahead.

"Cam’s entering the prime of his career as a driver and as a team we’re clicking along quite well which makes the opportunity ripe for us to have a lot of success in the coming years.

"We’re working hard to put those pieces together, and are looking forward to putting Cam and the Monster Energy Mustang at the front for years to come.”

Tickford co-owner Rod Nash reiterated Edwards’ sentiment, and also praised Waters’ strengths outside the car.

"Re-signing Cam was obviously a no-brainer," Nash said.

"Of course he’s one of the most talented drivers in the sport and someone we’ve worked with for a long time, but he’s also very in tune with the off-track elements of what we do and has a great appreciation for our overall business, which is very showing of his character.

"Considering how far he’s come over the years it’s rewarding to know we’ve had a hand in developing him into the driver he is today, not just a star of the category but an excellent member of the team.

"We’re bullish about what we can accomplish together into the future, so we’re very happy to continue with Cam and are looking forward to our continued success together."

The 2021 Repco Supercars Championship will continue at this weekend’s Bunnings Trade Sydney SuperNight. Tickets for all four upcoming Sydney events are on sale now.

All sessions will be broadcast live on Fox Sports and streamed via Kayo. The Seven Network will broadcast live from 3:30pm AEDT on Saturday and 12:30pm AEDT on Sunday.