'There or thereabouts' Tickford's big litmus test

Tickford Racing needs to overcome poor Darwin form in the Gen3 era if it's to deliver on Cam Waters' vow to charge home in the Repco Sprint Cup.

Waters, now 153 points behind runaway leader Broc Feeney with three rounds to go in the Sprint Cup part of the season, said he will be “hauling ass” for the final sprint rounds of the year.

Tickford Mustangs haven't been far from the money in recent rounds, with Waters and Thomas Randle both scoring podiums and front row starts at the last three events.

However, the team is still chasing its first wins since Waters' Sydney sweep in February, and the Campbellfield squad will need to overturn some average form at Hidden Valley if it wants to return to victory lane this weekend.

Of the 18 drivers who contested all five Gen3 Darwin races across 2023 and 2024, Waters and Randle are ranked 12th and 16th on average finish, and 10th and 12th in qualifying. Tickford is ranked eighth in qualifying, and ninth in the races.

it must be said that Waters did lead the very first Gen3 race in Darwin from pole, only for his race to literally go up in flames in dramatic fashion. However, like Ford rival Chaz Mostert, Darwin hasn't been kind to Waters in Gen3.

While the team's form is one thing, Tickford owner Rod Nash is hoping the Blue Oval can turn the tides at a track that has been dominated by Camaros.

Chevrolet is undefeated in Darwin in Gen3, along with Albert Park, The Bend (didn’t host a round in 2024), Bathurst and Sandown. Feeney won three of the five races, while Team 18 and Matt Stone Racing pulled off surprises in 2023.

Engine tweaks have been made across the last two rounds after recent dyno testing, which found the Ford was marginally down relative to the Chevrolet in hot conditions, while Ford had the edge in cool conditions.

“We’re there, or thereabouts, but not where we want to be. It was a pretty competitive weekend, but you cannot to slip one little bit,” Nash said.

“Cam Waters did a good job. If you don't have the car just right then you get punished, and our rear set-up was not great.

“There has been a lot of work on engine upgrades and we hope that work will come to fruition in Darwin with the hot temperatures and long straights. Fingers crossed."

The 2025 betr Darwin Triple Crown will run June 20-22 at Hidden Valley Raceway and will again be celebrated as Supercars Indigenous Round.

Foxtel, Kayo, 7plus and the Seven Network will provide live broadcast for the 2025 betr Darwin Triple Crown. Tickets are available through darwinsupercars.com.au or the Supercars website.

Driver records in Darwin (drivers who have contested all five Gen3 races)

Ranked by gain/loss

Team records in Darwin in Gen3

Ranked by gain/loss

*only counts cars #6 and #55