Five minutes with Tim Edwards

Prodrive Racing (Australia) Team Principal Tim Edwards is in his 11th year leading the team and while the current focus is the battle for this season's V8 Supercars Championshiptitle, developing the next generation of talent has been a key feature during his time at the helm.

Edwardsshares his thoughts on the team's V8 Supercars Dunlop Series campaign - contested with Cameron Waters behind the wheel, who currently leads the points - finding the next star driver, and the future of the junior category.

Tim, the performance of the Championship Series team this season has been well-documented, but it has been backed by its equally-dominant form in the Dunlop Series. How do you view the efforts of Cameron Waters so far?

"Cam has been just brilliant this year. It is actually hard to highlight an area where he has been deficient, which is a real credit to him and our Dunlop Series crew. This is his second season with us and while finishing runner-up wasn't a poor effort, I think we underperformed in all aspects in 2014. That has obviously motivated everyone and this year we are reaping the rewards."

What has impressed you most about Cam?

"I think his consistency across all areas has helped him get to the position he is in. After three rounds he is 118 points ahead. In Adelaide we saw a great battle with PD [ex-Prodrive Racing driver Paul Dumbrell] where they left equal on points. In Perth, Cam topped all but one session and then in Winton he went one better and topped every session and has now won six races on the bounce. That sort of consistency and conversion rate is seriously impressive in any category. Last year he and his crew were inconsistent and that cost us, this year we're all executing our plans and that has made all the difference."

Prodrive Racing has been a regular in the Dunlop Series over the years, either running its own cars or operating customer entries. You must see it as the ideal breeding ground?

"There is no better training for a career in the main game than competing in the Dunlop Series. It teaches all aspects of what it takes to succeed in our category and does so right under the nose of the main series teams so we all get to see the next generation of talent. We are always looking to the future and more often than not, that talent lies in the Dunlop Series. Frosty is a former champion and he's obviously turned out ok, we used it to groom Chaz and he's stepped up without missing a beat and Cam is now ready for the main series."

So you see Cam in a main series car sooner rather than later?

"Absolutely. He is ready now. We got lucky with Chaz as when he was ready we had the ability to place him at DJR for the remainder of the season. Unfortunately there isn't a vacancy for Cam right now but when he gets his chance he will make the most of it. So we aren't looking for the next Chaz Mostert as we've already got him. What we now need is the next Cameron Waters."

Who is that? Or is it too early to tell?

"We are never short of willing volunteers to drive for our team but clearly we've been selective in our approach over the years and it has paid off. We have our PRA Academy drivers but they are a lot younger and still a few years off being ready so they aren't in the frame. We do have a few people on our radar and the people we have discussed potential opportunities with are aware of our expectations, but that doesn't mean other people won't come into the frame. Being in one of our Dunlop Series cars in 2016 is the most highly-sought seat for an up-and-coming young driver but we're not just going to stick anyone in. They have to fit our requirements and deliver at the same level that Chaz and Cam have."

The 2016 regulations will allow Next Generation cars in the Dunlop Series for the first time. Does that change the team's plans?

"Being able to run Next Generation cars in 2016 is obviously going to be attractive for main series teams and Dunlop Series teams and drivers that want to be competitive. The next two years will be a transition period for the category but we have a few options as our current FG Dunlop Series entry is very competitive. As it stands we could run that next year and a Next Generation car alongside it, or we could run one for a customer or even sell one or two and provide technical support."

Has there been much interest from the current Dunlop Series entrants about securing Next Generation cars for 2016 and beyond?

"The opportunities are certainly there and from the number of approaches we've had from existing teams they seem eager to get their plans in order, so I'd like to think we'll know soon who wants what and what we are going to run. Obviously the more competitive cars in the main series are the first to make it into the Dunlop Series when they're eligible so thankfully we are in a position where demand for our product is high. It is now just about us getting in place the model that works best for us."

The V8 Supercars Dunlop Series will return to the track at the Castrol EDGE Townsville 400 from July 10-12. Click here for more information.