Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Motorsport prime

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Edition

USA

Sandown 500: Waters/Stanaway secure pole with qualifier win

Cam Waters and Richie Stanaway are the official polesitters for the 2017 Sandown 500, after Waters won the second qualifying race at the Melbourne circuit.

Cameron Waters, Prodrive Racing Australia

Cameron Waters, Prodrive Racing Australia

Daniel Kalisz / Motorsport Images

Richie Stanaway, Prodrive Racing Australia Ford
 Ash Walsh, Brad Jones Racing Holden
 Richard Muscat, Garry Rogers Motorsport
 Richard Muscat, Garry Rogers Motorsport
 Scott Pye, Walkinshaw Racing
 Scott Pye, Walkinshaw Racing
 Karl Reindler, Team 18 Holden

Waters started the 20-lap main driver qualifier from the inside of the second row, but was in the lead by the time the field got through Turn 1 on the opening lap.

From there he led all the way to the finish, although it was far from straightforward; not only did he have points leader Scott McLaughlin breathing down his neck the entire time, Waters also had to deal with mechanical concerns after his engine temporarily cut out on the exit of Turn 1 early in the race.

But the Prodrive Ford driver was up to the task, holding off McLaughlin to take his first main game race win – although it technically won’t count as one given the qualifying format – and more importantly pole position for the Sandown 500.

“I’m absolutely pumped, I didn’t expect it,” said Waters.

“Richie did an awesome job in his race. I got a mega start and the car is amazing, we’re in a really good spot for tomorrow.”

McLaughlin came home second, securing a front row start for him and Alex Premat, while David Reynolds and Jamie Whincup staged a tight battle over third and fourth. In the end the Erebus driver, who started from pole, did enough to grab the inside of the second row, despite a last-lap lunge from Whincup.

Chaz Mostert finished fifth ahead of Fabian Coulthard, while Dale Wood was one of the surprises of the race, coming home an impressive seventh in the #99 Erebus Commodore.

Garth Tander was next, ahead of Mark Winterbottom and Nick Percat.

Shane van Gisbergen made little progress through the field after starting at the back, an early off contributing to the Kiwi coming home just 19th.

Triple Eight stablemates Craig Lowndes and Steve Richards will start the Sandown 500 from the very back of the field, Lowndes forced into pitlane and out of the race midway through with a power steering failure.

Be part of Motorsport community

Join the conversation
Previous article Hazelwood reflects on 260 km/h Sandown crash
Next article Hazelwood avoiding replays of frightening Sandown shunt

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Motorsport prime

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Edition

USA