Waters' run of results raises big Bathurst question

A fast car, and no mistakes. They’re the two things Cam Waters needs to finally break through in the Great Race.

The Tickford Racing driver heads to Mount Panorama as one of the hot favourites for the 2025 win, along with defending winner Brodie Kostecki and championship leader Broc Feeney.

The Waters/Mark Winterbottom, Kostecki/Todd Hazelwood and Feeney/Jamie Whincup pairings are the three shortest-priced favourites for the win, with Waters/Winterbottom narrowly beating Kostecki/Hazelwood in a Supercars.com poll.

While aged just 31, he’s had his fair share of heartbreak, namely clashes with teammates in 2017, 2018 and 2019, while co-driver James Moffat crashed out in 2023.

Waters finished on the podium three years in a row between 2020 and 2022, yet on each occasion, was never in command of the race.

Last year, he locked up and ran off at Hell Corner early on, dropping from third to 10th just before the first stops. He recovered to fourth, yet in a race that featured one Safety Car, he was never in the hunt.

Only five drivers have more Bathurst podiums that Waters without a victory: Brad Jones, Cameron McConville, Warren Luff (six), Glenn Seton and James Courtney (four). Only Jones and Seton (three) have more runners-up finishes without a victory.

Waters appeared on Seven's Bathurst Preview Show, where he was put on the spot by five-time winner Garth Tander, who asked what it takes to turn second into first.

“You’ve got to have a fast race car. Then it’s all about executing,” Waters replied.

"You saw at [The Bend], there were fast cars, people just made mistakes.

“Make no mistakes, have a fast car, and hopefully you’ve got the track position and you can get it done.”

The Waters/Winterbottom car was one of few to stay on the road at The Bend, while experienced drivers and teams also stumbled in the pits. Notably, Feeney/Whincup were rubbed out of contention after a botched fuel stop.

Many believe the addition of Winterbottom could be Waters's biggest advantage yet, with the 2015 champion freshly out of the full-time game and straight on the pace at The Bend.

“100%. It’s not going to hurt," Waters said of Winterbottom being a big boost to his Bathurst hopes.

“We’ve always been pretty competitive at Bathurst. The last couple of years have been hard, with our straight-line issues.

“I love that place, I throw everything at it. I’ve been on the podium a few times there. This year’s the one we want to try and win it.”

Track action at Mount Panorama commences on Thursday. Tickets for the event are on sale now.

Most Bathurst 1000 podiums without a win

Most Bathurst 1000 starts without a win (2025 grid)