Cam Waters has kept his slim Supercars championship hopes alive by winning the opening Gold Coast 500 race, with Tickford teammate Thomas Randle helping him to victory.
Pole-sitter Waters warded off numerous passing attempts from front-rower Richie Stanaway to lead from start to finish across the 85-lap race at the Surfers Paradise street circuit on Saturday.
Sitting fourth in the standings, Waters’ fourth race win of the year brings him within 167 points of third-placed Chaz Mostert.
It is also his second win at the Gold Coast track after fending off three-time champion Shane van Gisbergen last year.
“It was a lot cruisier win this year than last year, didn’t have Shane breathing down my throat,” Waters said.
“We rolled out really good cars in practice and we made a little better through practice.
“I’m pretty happy about being out in front and obviously winning the races. That’s all I can really do at the moment (in the championship).”
Randle showed his class to climb four positions into second, pulling off a quality pass against Broc Feeney on the 36th lap to set up the Tickford one-two finish.
Mostert briefly held on to second place, before a gearbox issue opened the door for Randle.
Young gun Feeney came third, with Mostert crossing the finish line in 10th place.
Reigning series leader and newly crowned Bathurst 1000 champion Brodie Kostecki was fifth, while his Erebus teammate Jack Le Brocq was dead last.
Le Brocq was sent to the back of the pack after a wall collision on the opening lap, falling almost four laps behind after requiring repairs.
AAP