Waters fires championship lead warning shot

After losing the championship lead to Will Brown in Melbourne, Cam Waters wants it back.

In a clear sign of intent from the Tickford Racing driver, Waters is determined to turn around his team’s wobbles at the Grand Prix to return to form.

Waters opened the season by winning all three Sydney races from pole position, leaving Round 1 with a perfect 315 points and a 60-point lead.

However, Tickford fell back to earth with struggles in qualifying in Melbourne, Waters twice forced to fight through the field and limit the damage.

While he managed to score three top 10 finishes, Brown scored more points than any other driver and turned his 60-point deficit into a seven-point lead. Broc Feeney, meanwhile, is only 49 points behind in third.

It’s the smallest margin between first and second in the points since 2008, yet Waters — while wary of the tough-on-tyres Taupō layout — has a clear goal in mind.

“Taupō’s a cool track – it’s tight, technical, and has a lot of tyre deg,” said Waters, who despite losing the lead, has made his best start to a season.

"I’m excited to hit the track and go after some wins to try get the championship lead back.”

Waters claimed pole for the Taupō opener last year, but collided with Tim Slade off the line, fell back to last, and clawed his way back to eighth with a damaged car.

Teammate Thomas Randle had a tougher time in Melbourne, but said Tickford has learned plenty of lessons from last year’s New Zealand event.

“I’m looking forward to getting back to Taupo, it’s awesome we get to race Supercars in front of the New Zealand fans,” said Randle, who is carrying Kiwi ferns on his Castrol Ford this weekend.

"We struggled here as a team last year but have learnt a lot in the 12 months, so I’m ready to get stuck into it and give it a crack and see how we end up.

"A bit of excess baggage on the flight home would be nice.”

Tickford Team Principal Rod Nash said after Melbourne that the team isn’t throwing the towel in, and claimed the squad is a stronger position heading into this year’s event.

“We showed real pace this year, and we’re keen to unlock speed in Taupō,” Nash said.

"We’re working hard in the background and aiming to return with a clearer understanding of what the circuit demands. We need our package to be far more competitive in 2025.”

Cars will hit the track for Practice 1 at 11:45am NZDT/9:45am AEST.