HE is still enjoying the feeling that comes with the first win of his Supercars career, but Cam Waters is now thinking about a Bathurst 1000 podium.
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Last Sunday at Sandown, Waters took out the opening leg of the Enduro Cup alongside his co-driver Richie Stanaway.
It was Waters’ first win since joining the series last season and gave him a massive confidence boost.
The Prodrive Racing talent now feels that he can challenge for the Peter Brock Trophy at Mount Panorama.
“Coming into the weekend [at Sandown] we probably didn't really think we could win this weekend, but we knew we were a genuine contender,” Waters said.
“After this weekend, we had enough pace, we drove well, we didn't make a mistake, I think heading into Bathurst, we are a good shot.
“It gives us a lot more confidence going to Bathurst, it is all about horsepower there and I think what we have done with the motors… we upgraded them and the cars were quite quick down the straights this weekend. That is really confidence inspiring for us to go to Bathurst with that.
“I’m really confident going to Bathurst with a genuine shot to win.”
While Waters is still a relative newcomer to the series, this October will mark his sixth Great Race campaign.
He gained his first start in the Bathurst 1000 for Kelly Racing in 2011 after winning the Shannons Supercar Showdown reality show.
That ended in a DNF, the entry he shared with Grant Denyer crashing on lap 95.
The following year he placed 20th alongside Jesse Dixon, in 2013 he did not get a seat, while in 2014 he partnered Jack Perkins to 12th.
There was disappointment in 2015 when Chaz Mostert crashed in qualifying and the entry Waters was to share with him in Sunday’s race was ruled out due to the extensive damage.
Last year was the first time Waters had faced the Mount as lead driver and he surprised many by steering his Ford into fourth place with the help of Jack Le Brocq.
On the back of their Sandown success, Waters and Stanaway have firmed in Bathurst 1000 betting to now be an 11-1 chance.
They will be the youngest pairing on the grid and Stanaway has only one prior Great Race campaign – 12th last year with Chris Pither – to his credit.
Still, going from pole position to claim the chequered flag at Sandown highlights the duo have the talent to overcome more experienced rivals.
Kiwi native Stanaway, a three-time 24 Hours of Le Mans finisher, said the pair will not alter their approach as they prepare for the second leg of the Enduro Cup.
“I think we'll take it all in our stride and I don't think we'll get too fazed. I think it's great for our confidence, but at end of the day, our approach probably won't be any different to what it was this weekend – not really expecting anything, do the best you possibly can and see how you come out of it at the end,” he said.
