Waters determined to break Pukekohe duck

A maiden Pukekohe victory in the circuit’s farewell weekend is a key ambition for Cam Waters.

The Tickford Racing driver arrives in New Zealand second in the championship.

Shane van Gisbergen is a whopping 500 points clear, and is tipped to extend his lead.

Standing in his way is Waters, who is one of eight active drivers to have scored a Pukekohe podium.

He finished third in 2017, and second in the 2019 opener.

Points leader van Gisbergen leads the way with 13 podiums ahead of Mark Winterbottom (six).

Waters also clinched pole in 2017 after qualifying was rained out.

Of the eight, only van Gisbergen, Winterbottom, David Reynolds and Will Davison have won at Pukekohe.

Waters is determined to join them despite seeing the 2022 title slip away.

It comes after Waters missed the podium altogether in all three Sandown races last month.

“While it’s been a few years since we’ve raced there, we have had some success there in the past,” he said.

“We haven’t stood on the top step of the podium yet.

“We’ll be aiming to change that this weekend.

“Pukekohe’s an awesome little track. It’s always a great event so it’ll be good to be back.

“It’s a shame this will be the last Supercars race there but we’ll be looking to go out on a high.

Waters scored a podium in 2019

"The racing’s always really tight and a lot of fun there."

Waters was a chance at the last Pukekohe race in 2019, which was affected by controversy.

Jamie Whincup elected to illegally pass the Safety Car, for which he was dealt a drive-through penalty.

Whincup’s actions had a knock-on effect through the field, with Waters dumped outside the top 10.

Waters was classified 14th, and later joined Whincup in venting his frustrations.

Three years on, and Waters has evolved into a race winner and constant fixture of the podium.

Given the championship situation, Tickford Team Principal Tim Edwards reiterated the primary goal is to win.

That ambition is amplified by the carrot that is the Jason Richards Memorial Trophy, awarded to the driver who scores the most points.

The Ford team won the trophy with Winterbottom in 2014.

"Obviously the goal for us is the same as always, to win races,” Edwards said.

“It’s always a bit elevated here with the Jason Richards Trophy on offer.

“Even more so this weekend with it being our last time at Pukekohe.

"We’re really looking forward to the weekend, fighting for trophies, and sending off Pukekohe in the best way possible.”

Cars will hit the track on Friday for Practice 1 at 2:40pm local time/12:40pm AEST.