The hidden benefit of Waters' busy speedway summer

Racing "nearly every weekend" in the summer has Cam Waters better prepared than ever for another Supercars title bid.

Waters returns for a seventh full-time season with Tickford Racing, having won three races in 2021.

While he couldn’t replicate his runner-up finish of 2020, Waters still ended the year with a strong Bathurst podium.

Ever since cars crossed the line in Bathurst in December, Waters has been racing at speedways around Victoria.

Week-in, week-out, Waters has been behind the wheel of his Sprint Car, with results improving all the time.

Having kept himself busy, Waters is champing at the bit to get behind the wheel of his Monster Mustang Supercar.

"I haven’t had an off-season, I’ve been racing nearly every weekend," he told Supercars.com.

"There’s no better way to stay race fit and sharp for a new Supercars season.

"The Supercar might feel foreign after driving the Sprint Car for so long.

"Driving anything helps, but the Sprint Car is so full-on, it’s so aggressive.

"It will only help me. I feel sharp, I feel like I’ve done a shitload of racing.

Waters on track in Horsham

"I just want the season to start now."

His first speedway race of the season came in Warrnambool, just two weeks after the 2021 Supercars season ended in Bathurst.

He later made A-Mains at Avalon and Simpson, where he later impressed with a run from 17th to fourth in the new year.

Last weekend, he scored a pole in Nyora.

"I’ve taken a step forward in the Sprint Car over last year," he said.

"Last summer was more ‘toe in the water’ stuff and trying to get a feel for it.

"This summer, I’ve definitely improved, making A-Mains and getting close to the podium."

'There’s no better way to stay race fit and sharp'

Waters will roll out with his new-look team at Winton next week for pre-season testing.

Waters and James Courtney have been joined by young duo Thomas Randle and Jake Kostecki in an expanded Tickford line-up.

While still just 27 years old, Waters acknowledged he will take on a new role in 2022 as an elder statesman.

"It’s awesome to have a few young blokes come in, although it makes me feel like I’m not young anymore," he said.

"It’s great to have Thomas and Jake join the team. They’re energetic and super pumped to get started.

"There’s great energy around the team, even though Thomas and Jake are at different stages of their careers, as are myself and JC.

"Everyone has the right attitude, which is really the number one thing you need to be successful."

Waters will commence his 2022 campaign in Sydney next month.