The 2025 Repco Supercars Championship roared into action at Sydney Motorsport Park with the Thrifty Sydney 500, setting the tone for what promises to be a thrilling season. Cameron Waters of Tickford Racing delivered a masterclass performance, securing a clean sweep by winning all three races of the opening round.โ
Race 1 โ Friday Night Sprint
The season opener on Friday night saw Waters dominate from pole position. Driving the Monster Energy-backed Ford Mustang, he led every lap of the 26-lap race, finishing nearly 17 seconds ahead of Chaz Mostert (Walkinshaw Andretti United). Thomas Randle (Tickford Racing) clinched third after a late-race battle with Matt Payne (Penrite Racing). Broc Feeney (Red Bull Ampol Racing), who started second, suffered a puncture mid-race, relegating him to 14th place.โ
Race 2 โ Saturday Showdown
Saturday’s 200km race was a nail-biter. Waters again started from pole but faced stiff competition from Feeney and teammate Will Brown. A safety car on lap eight shuffled strategies, with Feeney emerging ahead after the first round of pit stops. However, Waters executed a longer second stint, rejoining just behind the leaders. In a dramatic finish, Waters overtook Feeney in the closing laps, with a slight contact at Turn 4, to win by a mere 0.03 seconds. Brown finished third, just 0.1996 seconds behind the winner.โ
Race 3 โ Sunday Finale
The final race on Sunday was marked by late rainfall, adding an extra layer of challenge. Waters, undeterred, secured his third consecutive pole and maintained the lead throughout the race. Despite pressure from Brown and a charging Mostert, who climbed from 10th to third, Waters held firm to complete his hat-trick.โ
Championship Standings Post-Round 1
Waters’ perfect weekend earned him 315 points, placing him atop the championship standings. Brown’s consistent performances secured him second place with 255 points, while Feeney, despite setbacks, held third with 216 points. โ
Tickford Racing’s dominance was evident, with Waters and Randle delivering strong results. Red Bull Ampol Racing faced challenges, particularly with Feeney’s puncture, but showed resilience. Walkinshaw Andretti United’s Mostert demonstrated competitiveness, especially in Race 3.โ
The season opener highlighted the intense competition and strategic depth of the 2025 Supercars Championship. With multiple teams and drivers showcasing potential, the stage is set for a captivating season.โ
