'So dangerous': Waters, Payne warned over moves

Cam Waters earned the ire of Matt Payne and officials over a move the latter deemed as “dangerous” in Race 18 before Payne copped a warning of his own.

Waters was handed a bad sportsmanship flag over a defensive move on his Ford rival after he exited pit lane following his first stop.

Payne had stopped six laps earlier than Waters to cover off a five-second penalty over a false start, but chewed back into the deficit.

Waters returned to the race in front of Payne, but the Bathurst champion tried to make a move into Turn 1. Waters defended, the two Fords running towards the wall.

Over team radio, an incensed Payne said: "Bro, that is so dangerous there coming out and weaving like that.”

Officials agreed, handing Waters a bad sportsmanship flag.

Waters asked engineer Sam Potter: “I have a bad sportsmanship, why?”

Potter replied: “I imagine it'll be for that pit exit mate, the pit exit issue at Turn 1.”

It did little to help Payne, who stepped aside for teammate Kai Allen, who set off after Waters. Payne, meanwhile, fell into the clutches off Brodie Kostecki behind.

Payne, though, was also warned by officials over his own defensive moves on Kostecki.

Before letting Allen through, Payne was told by engineer Jack Bell: “Our goal is to try and make a move, I know that’s easier said than done mate.” Payne curtly replied: “Yeah copy.”

On lap 41, Allen picked off Waters for the lead as the Monster Ford slid wide, just before Kostecki passed Payne for third. Allen went on to win the race, with Waters and Kostecki rounding out the podium ahead of Payne.