As the Supercars Championship Finals Series looms, Ford drivers Matt Payne, Kai Allen, Cameron Waters, and Thomas Randle find themselves in a precarious position. Currently, Payne sits just above the cut-off line, 47 points clear, while his Grove Racing teammate Allen is 47 points below. Meanwhile, Tickford Racing’s Waters and Randle are in sixth and seventh place, trailing by 57 and 104 points, respectively.
Their hopes for a turnaround rest on the unpredictable weather forecast, with potential rain and thunderstorms expected to hit the track on Sunday. This could be a game-changer for the Ford trio, who are banking on the elements to level the playing field.
Weather as a Potential Game-Changer
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, there is a high chance of showers, with thunderstorms possible in the afternoon and evening. This forecast has become a beacon of hope for Randle and Allen, who believe that adverse weather conditions might provide them with the competitive edge they need.
“If it rains and we can nail everything, you never know. There could be incidents on track, there could be all sorts of things happen tomorrow,” Randle expressed on the Fox Sports broadcast.
Randle, who experienced a challenging race on Saturday, finishing 16th after starting 22nd, remains optimistic. He emphasized the need for the team to work overnight to improve their performance, especially given the speed demonstrated by competitors like Will Brown, who made a significant leap from 15th to a podium finish.
Saturday’s Setbacks and Strategic Adjustments
Saturday’s race proved to be a setback for Waters, who experienced the largest drop in the standings, falling from fourth to sixth after finishing 12th. Despite sporting the iconic Larry Perkins ‘Sawtooth’ Castrol scheme, reminiscent of the 1995 Bathurst 1000 heroics, Waters could not replicate such success at the Sandown 500.
For Allen, who started fifth and finished seventh, the dry conditions posed a significant challenge. He acknowledged the need for strategic adjustments and improvements in car speed to remain competitive. “We need to really knuckle down overnight and get the two Penrite Mustangs fast so we can have a good crack tomorrow,” Allen stated.
Competition and Championship Implications
While the Ford drivers grapple with their standings, Walkinshaw Andretti United’s Chaz Mostert has already secured his place in the Adelaide Grand Final, thanks to his victory on Saturday. Will Brown also made significant gains, moving ahead of his Triple Eight Race Engineering teammate Broc Feeney.
“If you win the race, you’re in,” Allen noted, emphasizing the high stakes of Sunday’s race.
Allen remains hopeful that a fast, potentially wet car could propel him and Payne to the forefront, keeping their championship aspirations alive. He acknowledged the unpredictability of the sport, especially in wet conditions, referencing past races where unexpected outcomes unfolded.
Looking Ahead to Sunday’s Race
Sunday’s schedule is packed, with qualifying set to begin at 11:20 am AEDT, followed by the Top 10 Shootout at 12:10 pm AEDT. The race itself is slated for 3:20 pm AEDT, where the Ford drivers will be looking to capitalize on any opportunity to climb the standings.
The potential for rain adds an element of uncertainty, but also opportunity, as the drivers prepare for what could be a pivotal day in their racing careers. As the Finals Series approaches, the Ford trio remains determined to make the most of their chances, hoping that the weather will indeed play into their hands.
