BY his own admission, it had felt like an eternity between drinks for Mark Winterbottom.
Into his fifth season since a high-profile switch from Tickford Racing to Team 18, ‘Frosty’ was still chasing his first podium for GM, let alone ending a victory drought which dated back to the 2016 Auckland SuperSprint.
There have been close calls, frustrations and form slumps, but yesterday it all came together in Race 1 of the Darwin Triple Crown in the feel-good moment of the 2023 season.
Winterbottom qualified third, elbowed his way past Broc Feeney on the first lap and then hit the lead when close mate Cam Waters’ car caught fire.
MORE: Cause of Waters Mustang inferno identified
Through two Safety Car restarts and relentless pressure from Feeney, Winterbottom did not falter.
“It’s been a tough run. I haven’t won since ’16 and not only everyone tells you, my kids tell me too so I’m well aware of how long it has been,” he said.
“It’s unbelievable to win it with a crew that some haven’t even had a podium ever, so some of them their first podium has been a win. It’s a really cool moment and just emotional.
“You put so much in and it’s so hard to win a race in this category so I’ve really enjoyed it and I’ll enjoy it with the crew.”
Through the ups and downs, Winterbottom insists doubt never crept in – in fact, he used this success as a reminder to his children to never give up.
“You never doubt yourself – if you doubt yourself you give up, that’s how it is,” he said.
Winterbottom didn’t hold back in showing what the result meant to him upon taking the chequered flag.
“It’s one of the best moments I’ve had for sure,” the 42-year-old smiled.
“It was pretty emotional. I think I almost punched the windscreen out, I was pretty excited.
“(And) the emotion when you come in; Charlie (Schwerkolt, team owner), he’s a very proud, successful person, he brings his mates and wears his pride on his sleeve when he comes racing.
“He dominates the forklift industry and he wants to dominate the Supercars industry so to see him so emotional, it’s a big moment.
“When you leave a team and you go from a big team with 80 people to a team with about 15 at the time, it’s a big step but you promise each other what you want out of it and what you’re going to do… I said to him ‘sign me, we’ll win a race’.
“A lot goes on in the background with engineers and the team and the crew and keeping them. When you have 80 people you can shuffle them around; when you have a (smaller team) one person is a big loss or a big gain, so there has been a lot going on.
“It means a lot.”
Now, to pinch a cricket phrase, he hopes one can bring two.
“It’s just one win and we’ll definitely celebrate it,” said Winterbottom.
“There’s guys that are winning week in, week out and are used to this feeling.
“To get the monkey off the back can hopefully open up better opportunities for the year.”
There’s another two races today at Hidden Valley. Sunday qualifying starts at 9:30am local time (10am AEST).
