Waters still 'in the hunt' for 2023 title

Cam Waters says he is still “in the hunt” for 2023 glory heading to one of his stronger tracks in Darwin.

The Tickford Racing driver is 229 points from the series lead, and hasn’t been on the podium since Race 1 in Newcastle.

In seven previous seasons, Waters had never been closer to the points lead after four rounds.

After four rounds in 2022, he was 336 points down, and ended up as runner-up for the second time in three seasons.

In his last 14 starts in Darwin, Waters has 12 top 10 finishes — including four podiums, headlined by his Sunday victory in 2022.

The Monster Energy Mustang was on the money in Tasmania, Waters scoring fastest lap bonus points twice en route to 234 points for the weekend — his best weekend in 2023 to date.

With 2430 points left on offer, Waters knows there’s ample time to fight — but staying at the front and out of trouble is key.

“There’s still a massive amount to play for. Obviously the enduros, a few more street tracks,” Waters told Supercars.com.

“We’re in the hunt. We’d like to be closer, for sure. We need to get a bit of momentum going, and get the car working at different tracks.

“I just put it all out there, and treat each weekend individually. It’s about going after race wins and getting on the podium as much as I can.

“If you do that, and don’t make mistakes, we’ll be in a good position at the end of the year.”

Brodie Kostecki and Will Brown are first and second for Erebus Motorsport, which has cleared out to a 276-point teams’ championship lead.

Walkinshaw Andretti United’s Chaz Mostert is third ahead of both Red Bull Ampol Racing drivers, with Waters sixth behind Shane van Gisbergen and Broc Feeney.

All told, the top six in the championship hasn’t been this close since 2018, the last season to produce a title-deciding season finale.

Waters is a winner in 2023, in Newcastle in March

Victorian teams — including Erebus, WAU and Tickford — were unable to log a full test day at Winton due to rain.

Conversely, Queensland teams — led by Triple Eight and Dick Johnson Racing — enjoyed a big day of fact-finding.

While Erebus and Triple Eight Camaros have won the last 11 races, Waters knows he has to keep his nose clean to keep Tickford’s chances of a first title since 2015 alive.

So far, Waters is one of only three drivers, with Will Brown and Andre Heimgartner, to have completed all racing laps in 2023.

“We had an okay Tassie, hopefully we can build on that momentum,” said Waters, who recently competed in speedway at Archerfield.

“We didn’t get the test day in like the others did, but I’m reasonably comfortable with where I’m at.

“We just need to have some clean weekends, get some points on the board, and try and close that gap down.”

Tickets for this weekend’s betr Darwin Triple Crown are on sale now.