The day was geared to be a big one for everyone in pit lane with the reshuffled schedule implemented yesterday.

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We rolled out for the two race qualifying’s which saw the introduction of the super soft tyre for the first time this season.

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The field were quick again on the time sheet, and it was a matter of small margins that had Waters missing out on the cut line to progress to the part two in the first qualifying.

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Small debriefs were had in the car, and greens were fitted for the race nine qualifying.

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Roles were reversed in the second qualifying session as the smallest of margins knocked Thomas out of progressing to the next stage.

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QUALIFYING RACE 8 RESULTS

#6CAM WATERS: 13^th  

#55 THOMAS RANDLE: 8^th  

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QUALIFYING RAC#55E 9 RESULTS  

#6 CAM WATERS: 10^th

#55 THOMAS RANDLE: 12^th

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With such a short turnaround, the team dove into action in preparation for the first race of the weekend.  There was still plenty that the team were learning as the weekend developed quickly.

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As the race started, it was almost NASCAR style on display as the cars filed into the two running lines for the first few corners.

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Early in the race, both drivers had jumped a position and were showing early pace.

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Around lap five, Randle was struck with an issue that caused his race to tumble down the order for the remaining 30 laps.

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The team did everything in their power to rectify the issue from the data station, but there was nothing that could be done to stop the issue.

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Waters on the other hand was having a strong race, holding a place within the top ten and getting on with chasing the field.

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This is when the woes struck car #6, as contact with aToyota broke a part within the rear of the car and hindered overall performance.

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Not long after that, a Camaro locked up and spun came at the back of the track, which ultimately ended the chance for Waters to do much more in the race.

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An additional kicker was a fifteen second time penalty for pit lane speed and that rendered Waters to the rear of the field.

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There aren’t many words to describe the feeling in the garage post that race, but the focus was to learn and move on.

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RACE 8 RESULTS

#6 CAM WATERS: 21^st

#55 THOMAS RANDLE: 19^th

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Again a short turn around meant the crew were not just setting up two race cars, but rendering issues picked up in race eight.

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The team were a little confused on the issues with #55, struggling to identify what had occurred in the race to cause such a slow car. There were minor adjustments and parts changed to assist, although it wasn’t clear ifthat was the issue.

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The team were at their best ensuring they looked over every part of both cars to give them the best shot in the afternoons 200km duel.

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When the final race of the day came around, Taupō was showing its absolute best, the warm embrace of the fans packing the hill down the side straight, the mountains shining bright in the brisk air and a sniff of redemption in the garage to end on a high.

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Both Waters and Randle jumped well of the line, keeping a clean car through the first couple of corners and into the back part of the circuit.

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Initially both drivers jumped a position from where they started and begun to find a rhythm. The track is incredibly hard to pass and both Waters and Randle were hot on the rear bar of their respective positions trying to lunge for an overtake.

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As the race developed and the stops were made, there was not much to mark overall from our end of the garage.

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A sprinkle of rain post the second stops saw a flurry of activity as wets were rolled out, which were rolled away just as quickly due to there not being much water around.

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RACE 9 RESULTS

#6 CAM WATERS: 9^th  

#55 THOMAS RANDLE: 13^th

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We end the day with a few more questions than answers, but as the sun dips away over the iconic mountains of Taupō the boys and the engineers are taking the chance to chat over everything in preparation for theChristchurch round.

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Thank you to all those who came by the garage, the signing sessions and wished the boys will in Taupō. We wish we were here for another day to provide a good show, but we are in full support of Supercars’ difficult decision to not put the event and patrons in danger.

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We will take a day to refresh and welcome a new week that offers new opportunities. Christchurch is an even playing field for everyone and it’s a chance for the team to show why Tickford Racing still belongs at the front of the field.

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