A VICTORIOUS return to Tickford Racing narrowly eluded him, but there was an extra special element to Mark Winterbottom’s podium yesterday at The Bend 500.
“It’s nice when your six-year-old kid’s here and doesn’t think you’re shit,” said Winterbottom, who joined Cam Waters in finishing runners-up to Brodie Kostecki/Todd Hazelwood.
It was, of course, Winterbottom’s first Tickford/Ford Supercars race in the best part of seven years, having spent the intervening period full-time at Team 18 for a return of one win.
“I’m a proud dad and my two older boys saw the glory years and my six-year-old probably saw some shit years,” he elaborated.
“I’m a proud parent and that was a cool moment seeing my little fella run up to the podium and trophy… and then watching my 14-year-old Facetime me, it’s cool.
“You never doubt yourself, you have just got to be in the right place. Today was a good result, we’ll try to go a bit better at the next one (i.e. next month’s Repco Bathurst 1000).”
Winterbottom described the chance to team up with the “unassuming” Waters as “refreshing” and had plenty of good things to say about being back in Tickford colours too.
“It’s just comfortable. It’s nice to walk in and not be the problem, and be loved. We’ve had a lot of fun,” said ‘Frosty’.
Winterbottom with Tickford CEO Simon Brookhouse. Pic: Ross Gibb
“You have got to find the right environment… sometimes you race full-time and you get beat up a bit.
“But in this (co-driver) role, Cam’s been in the window, listening to the set-up changes, and the team has been really good. Even this weekend, our two wildcard guys come down and asked me about starts and all sorts of things.
“So it’s nice to just be in a good environment where everyone’s happy, we’re working well together and it’s all about this guy’s championship really and trying to get the results.
“It hasn’t changed from six years ago, it’s a lot of the same crew and you can see why they do well. It’s nice to be back.”
