Winterbottom forgot what winning moment felt like
Mark Winterbottom admits he forgot what a winning moment felt like in the wake of his drought-breaking victory in Darwin.
Winterbottom outlasted Broc Feeney to take victory in Race 13 at the betr Darwin Triple Crown.
It was Winterbottom’s first win since Pukekohe 2016, his first for Team 18, and the first for Team 18 itself.
Winterbottom, now 42, took a leap of faith by joining Charlie Schwerkolt’s team in 2019, which at that point was a one-car operation.
The 2015 series champion had raced nothing but Fords to that point, and heading to Darwin, hadn’t tasted champagne since 2018.
Come Saturday, and Winterbottom put on a vintage performance to hold out a driver 21 years his junior to take his first win in 197 starts.
“We get emotional — that’s a lot of work, a lot of effort, a lot of promises when you sign the deal,” he said.
“It doesn’t mean we’re gonna win every race, but you get one out of the way, that first one is so hard to get.
“It’s unbelievable, to feel this atmosphere, it feels like the biggest win of your life.
"Some of these guys and girls haven’t had podiums before. Once you get a taste of it, it’s so addictive.
“I was a bit emotional on that in-lap. It’s been a long time, and to do it with this crew is unbelievable.”
Team 18 entered 2023 as a fully-fledged team, having previously run as a Triple Eight customer.
The Mount Waverley crew’s last podium came in Darwin courtesy of Scott Pye in 2020, but all the while, Winterbottom had missed out.
The 606-race veteran took over the lead in Race 13 after Cam Waters was forced out due to a fire, and never gave in to Feeney’s pressure.
“He’s a legend,” Schwerkolt said of Winterbottom.
“The team was nothing in the start, and he came along, we’ve built a great team of guys and girls.
“I’m a bit starstruck… it’s really, really special. I knew it would happen one day. I’m really proud.”
Some 2414 days after his last win, Winterbottom cut a received figure, and admitted emotions caught up to him as he returned to pit lane.
However, while his own ambitions still burned large, Winterbottom was determined to deliver on Schwerkolt’s promise, and give his long-suffering team something to celebrate.
“You don't forget how to drive, but you forget what that moment feels like,” Winterbottom said.
“You’re all hungry for it, but now you taste it… some guys like Will, an apprentice who worked his way onto my car as No. 2 [mechanic].
“He’s never tasted a podium, and he he watched these teams week in week out getting trophies.
“I’m saying, ‘Ours will come, I promise’. And he’s like, ‘You’re full of it’. For guys like that, to taste their first trophy, it makes me feel like the dad or something!
“I’ve had success previously, but I want to do it with this group. Hopefully this is the first of a few.”
