Brown reacts to Waters hits, laments poor start

Will Brown was "super disappointed” over a poor start to Sunday’s Tasmania finale that opened the door to a series of hits from Ford rival Cam Waters.

The reigning champion salvaged a podium in Race 13, which saw Penrite Racing driver Matt Payne deny Brown's teammate Broc Feeney victory in a stunning photo finish.

Red Bull Ampol Racing ace Brown claimed his first pole since September 2024, but threw away his advantage with a tardy getaway.

Fellow front-row starter Ryan Wood also battled off the line, gifting the lead to Golding. Starting third, Waters made contact with Brown at Turn 2, before displacing him again at the hairpin.

Waters got down the inside through Turn 6, with Brown also dropping behind Wood. Compromised, Brown was forced into an alternate strategy, and finished third as Payne and Feeney battled.

“It was great to finally get that pole position today. Then from there to the race, I'm super disappointed in myself with the start,” Brown said.

"I stuffed up there, and then I was running second right off the bat. Then I feel like Cam just shuffled me up the road and I wasn't where I wanted to be, but that happens.

"Sometimes you give it, sometimes you get it. From there I just got shuffled and ended up a fair way back. So we opted to go a different strategy because we were a bit behind, and thankfully it worked out for us.”

Missing victory and the Waters hits earned the ire of Brown’s boss Jamie Whincup, who claimed the Tickford Racing driver “Liberace’d” the #1 Red Bull Ampol Chevrolet. Waters ultimately finished 12th, dropping to fourth in points.

While disappointed to cede the lead to Feeney, Brown was pleased to banish the demons of New Zealand, where Triple Eight left with silverware.

“We ended up third. Broc did a fantastic job. But good points for us today. We're one-two in the championship,” Brown said.

"I've dropped to second, which is a bit disappointing, but it's good for both cars to be one and two in the championship currently.

“I definitely think the team is feeling good. I think that we're a lot stronger this week than we were in Taupō. I don't think I have a lot better results to show for it, but we're definitely feeling a lot stronger.

"I think I can say I’ve bounced back and we're ready to go again in Perth.”

Feeney leads Brown by 33 points heading to Perth.