Words with Cam Waters: Full commitment equals maximum fun

We’re off to Pukekohe this weekend, one of the few circuits where I’m not making my debut in a main series FG X Ford.

This was one of the rounds where I subbed for Chaz Mostert after his crash last year, so I have a little bit of experience in a similar car. It’s nice, it helps me feel like I’ve got a bit more a grip on things heading into the weekend.

The Pukekohe track is one I really enjoy. I’ve done a lot of racing there through the Super Tourer series in NZ as well, so I know the place well. It’s not the most glamorous track on our schedule, but it’s a genuine driver favourite.

I think that’s because it’s got a little bit of everything. The last two corners and then Turn 1 are very fast and very bumpy, so you have to be very committed. There’s a long back straight, into a technical chicane. And then that really tight hairpin as well. You’re asking the car to do a lot of things, and overall it’s just a fun lap.

If you push and you get a lap out of it, it’s very enjoyable.

Another thing that makes it an interesting round is the shift in set-up and driving style after Bathurst and the Gold Coast. They are both very unique circuits, where you set the car up much more differently. Then you head to ‘Puke’, where more of normal set-up seems to work better.

I’m actually looking forward to that. On the Gold Coast we struggled a little bit finding a happy place with the car, but last year our cars were pretty good at Pukekohe. If everything goes our way, we should be able to have a good weekend.