Waters: I forgot what trophies looked like
Cam Waters quipped he "forgot what trophies looked like" after ending a 20-race run without silverware at the OTR SuperSprint.
The Tickford Racing star won Race 1 at the Thrifty Newcastle 500 in March despite finishing third on the road, with both Triple Eight drivers disqualified.
Waters then went 20 races without a trip to the podium, 13 times finishing in the top 10, with three results of fourth along the way.
It has been a season of what ifs for Waters, who retired from the lead with a fire (Darwin), was passed for third on the last lap (Tasmania), slumped from pole to 15th (Townsville) and was penalised for a pit infringement after finishing third (Sydney).
His season hasn’t been without incident, clouting the wall in the second Newcastle race (12th), being forced off at Albert Park (19th), and being turned around in Perth (22nd).
Waters’ poor luck reared its head again in Sunday’s first race when he was taken out by Jack Le Brocq, consigning him to 24th. However, he recovered from a tardy start in the finale to push Brodie Kostecki all the way, and finally score a podium.
The result helped the #6 Monster Mustang driver jump Andre Heimgartner into sixth in the standings albeit by two points — but is still 435 points away from Kostecki.
“The car’s been really fast, just haven’t been able to execute it,” said Waters, who dropped from second to fourth by Turn 1, before passing teammate Thomas Randle and Nick Percat.
“I forgot what trophies looked like, it’s awesome to get a podium, and cool to be up here with T. Randle.
“I threw everything at Brodie, but he was super fast out there. He could hang onto his tyres in those last five laps which got him a gap.
“I was pretty dirty about that start, I think the clutch got too hot, just got a heap of wheel spin, had to get those spots back and chase down Brodie.
“I was pretty determined to get back to him and got back to him, but I had no tyres left and he opened the gap up and that was the race.”
Waters heads into the enduros with confidence at least, given the Ford drivers were far more competitive at The Bend. Of the nine podium places on offer, Ford drivers claimed six — but still no wins.
That remains the Mildura-born driver’s goal, but he conceded he isn’t “there yet” — although he likes the trajectory he’s on.
“Super happy to finally have some pace out of this thing, and can see the back of the Camaros a bit closer, which is good,” Waters continued.
“It helps a lot, it’s been an up and down year, we’ve struggled at times. To have a whole weekend where we’ve been pretty pacy, and some things are starting to make sense.
“I don’t think we’re there yet. If we keep on this trajectory, we’ll be alright."
Waters will share his Monster Ford with James Moffat at the Penrite Oil Sandown 500 and Repco Bathurst 1000.
