Why Waters dropped from pole to 15th

Cam Waters’ struggles in Sunday’s NTI Townsville 500 went far beyond tyre life, with the Monster Energy Ford affected by mechanical and electrical issues.

Waters scored ARMOR ALL Pole Position for Race 17, and led the 88-lapper early on.

However, the #6 Mustang developed a number of issues during the race, and Waters dropped to 15th by the chequered flag.

It was his worst finish since he was 22nd after being spun out of the Perth opener in April.

“He had multiple mechanical issues,” Tickford Racing CEO and Team Principal Tim Edwards said after the race.

“Wheel bearing issues, engine misfire, power steering rack issue.

“He pretty got every one of the 'issue boxes' ticked in that race.

“He battled on to bring the thing home, but he was in a world of pain.”

A day earlier, Waters raced into an early lead after a dramatic start, and came home fifth.

Waters remonstrated over the radio during his fall down the field on Sunday, with his team coaching him to the end.

Edwards also reiterated that Waters — who was on a three-stop strategy — was also left vulnerable due to the late Safety Car.

“Pottsy [engineer Sam Potter] said on the radio, 'I know it’s going to be tough mate, but just hang in there’,” Edwards continued.

“He did that. It’s just frustrating. We’ve got better car speed than that.

“That Safety Car caught us out a bit, we weren’t in the fortunate position that Anton, that could throw tyres at it.

“It hurt us because we planned a three-stop, and we’d already started used the tyres, we left the front tyres on that had effectively done two stints.

“By the time we put front tyres on it, he was in a world of pain there, then he had the electrical, mechanical, engine issues going on.”

Tickford is set to test all four Fords next week at Winton Motor Raceway.

The 2023 Repco Supercars Championship will resume at the Beaurepaires Sydney SuperNight on July 28-30. Tickets are on sale now.