Words with Cam Waters: Fun in the Sun

I really like coming up here to Townsville. For starters it’s nice and sunny, so it’s a great escape from the Melbourne winter weather. I’ve been up here a few times now, through Formula Ford and the Dunlop Series, and it’s a circuit I really like.

It’s a unique track, because it’s half traditional street circuit, and half purpose-built parkland circuit. There’s not many circuits like that around the place.

I’ve had a bit of success here in the past. I’ve had a few poles, and I won a race and the round here in the Dunlop Series last year.

But in Townsville, it’s not just the track that’s great. I actually like the event as a whole as well. The whole town gets around the event when we head up here, which really adds to the atmosphere and makes it really enjoyable for us as drivers.

The news from last week that Supercars as extended its deal with Townsville for another three years is genuinely great. You like going to any event where there’s a good atmosphere, and we tend to see that from the Queensland rounds in Townsville and the Gold Coast.

Personally, I do really love coming up here and being a part of it. It’s a good circuit, good atmosphere, and the weather is warm. Perfect combination.

The right balance

One challenge that the Townsville circuit provides is in set-up. Because it is that unique mix of street circuit and parklands circuit, it’s a bit different to set the car up for.

You’re essentially asking the car to do a lot of things. There are a few quick corners, which the car needs to be working on, and then you need it to be able to go over kerbs on slow-speed corners. They are two totally different approaches in set-up, which makes it hard.

So generally you pick the areas you want to be strong in, and head down that path with setting the car up. Then you do the best you can through the rest of the circuit.

It’s always interesting in Townsville. You need to roll out and see where you’re at with the car, and then work out what your strengths are.

It’s hard to say how we’ll go, but the Prodrive Racing Australia cars were strong here last year which is a good sign. Hopefully we can roll out be pretty competitive.

Thrown in the deep end

After stepping up to the main game after Chaz Mostert’s crash late last year, I can understand how Kurt Kostecki – who will make his debut as a stand-in for Lee Holdsworth in Townsville – is feeling right now.

He’ll be fairly nervous, because it’s a big step up from the Dunlop Series… but you have to take those opportunities when they come along.

It has the potential to be a great weekend for him. He has the opportunity to do a lot of laps in the main series, and get a feel for where the level is at. He can potentially learn a lot.

The key for him is to try and finish all the races and do as many laps as possible. If he does that, he’ll learn so much this weekend.