ALL eyes are on Cam Waters now with the Tickford Racing star suddenly becoming Supercars’ top free agent at the end of this season.
That mantle had belonged to Shane van Gisbergen until news broke today of his multi-year contract extension with Triple Eight.
That makes van Gisbergen one of six drivers to have publicly committed to a 2024 seat, another of which is his teammate Broc Feeney, as has been confirmed by Triple Eight.
Erebus Motorsport last year trumpeted new two-year deals through 2024 for both Brodie Kostecki and Will Brown.
It was a similar story for Mark Winterbottom’s renewal with Team 18, while Andre Heimgartner was known to have joined Brad Jones Racing from Kelly Grove Racing on a three-year agreement (also expiring at the end of 2024).
Beyond that half-dozen, there are others such as Chaz Mostert and Matt Payne who are likely under lock and key too, although finer details have been clouded by the vagueness which the phrase “multi-year” provides.
MORE: Ford awaiting answer to engine request
Among the drivers whose existing deals were definitely due to expire this year are Waters’ Tickford teammates James Courtney and Thomas Randle, Team 18’s Scott Pye, Blanchard Racing Team recruit Todd Hazelwood, and both Matt Stone Racing drivers.
None, however, compare to Waters in terms of pulling power, the Mildura product having carved out a successful top-tier career since winning the 2015 Super2 title.
Waters is currently in his 10th year with the Tickford organisation, during which time he has accumulated nine main game race wins and twice been runner-up in both the championship and the Bathurst 1000.
Still just 28 years of age, he has become a regular in the speedway arena and intriguingly did appear at the NASCAR Cup Series’ race meeting at Martinsville Speedway last weekend.
What exactly Waters’ Supercars options outside of Tickford look like is unclear given other frontrunning teams Dick Johnson Racing, Walkinshaw Andretti United and Grove Racing all may or may not have a potential vacancy opening up.
