It seems unlikely but 18-year-old Cameron Waters goes into Sunday’s Bathurst 1000 as the senior driver in his V8 Supercars team.
Just 12 months ago Waters was lining up to become the youngest driver to compete in the great race, now he’ll be the main man for the Shannons Supercar Showdown entry.
Waters has been given the opportunity for a second start at Mount Panorama after Grant Denyer pulled out due to a back injury.
It means he’ll partner Jesse Dixon in the race in what will be the 19-year-old’s Bathurst debut.
The pair will be the youngest duo to compete in Bathurst 1000 history but Waters said his experience last year has him pumped to get back behind the wheel this weekend.
“Slightly different (to last year) because I’ve been around here. I appreciate the track a bit more,” he told AAP.
“We’re both pretty young so we’re both learning.
“I just think we’ve got to go out there, respect the track, don’t push it too much but we’ve still got to be pretty quick to be competitive.
“We’ve got a good team around us so I think we should go pretty well.”
The prospect of two such inexperienced drivers taking part in the showpiece V8 event might make some drivers nervous, particularly those challenging up the front of the field.
But four-time Bathurst champion Greg Murphy said he believes the young guns should be given their chance to prove themselves against the best.
“I don’t mind as long as they use their brains and understand what their job is this weekend and what it’s all about,” the New Zealand veteran told AAP.
“I’m sure they do. Cam’s a fantastic young bloke with an immense amount of talent and he’s not silly.
“He’s got a good head on his shoulders so he understands it and I’m sure Jesse will have it drummed into him too.”