Just days after becoming a father, Cam Waters defied the stereotype that parenthood slows drivers down—he did the exact opposite. In a thrilling display of speed and precision, Waters dominated the Pirelli Pole Battle at the Meguiar's Bathurst 12 Hour, clinching the Allan Simonsen Pole Trophy and becoming the first Australian to do so in four years. But here's where it gets controversial: Can a driver truly perform at their peak while juggling the demands of new parenthood? Waters’ performance suggests a resounding yes, but it’s a question that sparks debate among racing enthusiasts.
Waters’ lap time of 2:01.0790s wasn’t just a personal victory—it was the second-fastest pole time in Bathurst 12 Hour history, just 0.19s shy of Maro Engel’s 2023 record. This achievement also cemented Waters as the third driver to secure the Bathurst 1000-Bathurst 12 Hour (GT3 era) pole double, joining the ranks of Chaz Mostert and Shane van Gisbergen. And this is the part most people miss: Waters’ success wasn’t just about raw speed; it was the result of meticulous teamwork and tuning, with his crew fine-tuning the car throughout practice sessions.
Teaming up with Mostert and Thomas Randle in the #222 Scott Taylor Motorsport Mercedes-AMG, Waters will start on the front row alongside the #77 Craft-Bamboo Mercedes-AMG, piloted by 2025 pole winner Lucas Auer. Speaking of Auer, he delivered a jaw-dropping performance, going faster than his pole-winning time from the previous year—yet still falling short of Waters’ mark. A bold question to ponder: Is Auer’s consistency a sign of future dominance, or is Waters’ sudden surge a game-changer for the competition?
Waters, who previously claimed Bathurst 1000 poles in 2020 and 2022, was visibly emotional about winning the Allan Simonsen Trophy. “Allan was an amazing bloke, and I met him a few times, so this is super special,” he said. He also credited his team’s relentless effort, particularly highlighting the contributions of Ryan ‘Baz’ and Chaz Mostert. “It’s been a dream to drive this car,” he added, setting high expectations for the race ahead.
The Pirelli Pole Battle itself was a spectacle of speed and strategy. In the first session featuring the new Pirelli P Zero DHG tire, drivers struggled to find optimal tire temperature. Broc Feeney (#64 HRT Ford Racing Mustang) initially led with a 2:08.6926s lap, but quickly improved to 2:02.4151s. Marco Mapelli then set the pace with the first 2:01s lap, clocking a 2:01.9912s in the #93 Wall Racing Lamborghini. Waters responded with a 2:01.9221s, while Scott Andrews surprised everyone by slotting in just behind.
As the session entered its final minutes, the battle intensified. Auer pushed for a consecutive Simonsen Trophy with a 2:01.5478s lap, while Christopher Haase, Matt Campbell, and Raffaele Marciello closed in. Luca Stolz briefly threatened Waters’ lead with a 2:01.4042s, but it was Waters who sealed the deal with his 2:01.0790s lap, edging out Auer by 0.17s. Mercedes-AMG dominated the top three, with Campbell’s #911 Absolute Racing Porsche leading the rest of the field in fourth.
The top 10 was rounded out by Haase (#55 Jamec Racing/Team MPC Audi), Mapelli, Marciello (#46 WRT BMW), Andrews (#44 Geyer Valmont Racing/Tigani Motorsport Mercedes-AMG), Feeney, and Jayden Ojeda (#6 Mercedes-AMG Team Tigani Motorsport). With the 2026 Meguiar's Bathurst 12 Hour set to begin at 5:45 a.m. local time on Sunday, all eyes are on Waters and his team to see if they can convert pole position into victory. Here’s a thought-provoking question for you: Can Waters’ newfound fatherhood fuel an even more dominant performance, or will the pressure of balancing racing and family life eventually catch up? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
