Cameron's warning to Super2 title contenders
Dunlop Series
8h
Aaron Cameron surged back into title contention with Bathurst win
Victorian now 39 points off Super2 Series leader Zach Bates
Cameron also impressed in Repco Bathurst 1000 debut
Fresh off his maiden Dunlop Super2 Series race win at Mount Panorama, Aaron Cameron is full of confidence that he can come from behind to claim the crown.
Completing his first full Dunlop Series campaign this year after a three-round cameo at the end of last year, Cameron was remarkably consistent to start the season before falling away at Townsville and Sandown.
However, Bathurst was a return to form for Cameron, who was running second after a blistering start on Friday before his power steering let go in the dying minutes.
However, that proved to be a blessing in disguise, as a power steering repair, coupled with wholesale set up changes, brought the Schramm Group Mustang to life on Saturday.
Having claimed a lights-to-flag victory after breaking the qualifying lap record, Cameron roared back into genuine title contention.
Kai Allen's second crash of the weekend blew the title race apart, with Zach Bates emerging as series leader, and Cameron leaping into second, with Allen third.
Having been 147 points off the lead after his Friday heartbreak, Cameron had a 108-point turnaround on Saturday, and is now firmly eyeing the Super2 crown in Adelaide.
“That was freaking awesome. After [Friday] and then the stuff with Mason, just to do all that is pretty special. The qualy lap was good. I didn't think we were going to pull away like that in the race," said Cameron.
“It was incredible. The cold tyre pace, just felt like I could just push and go. I wanted to keep pushing but the team was saying back off and cruise, and I started backing off and cruising and locking brakes and doing stupid shit, so I just had to sort of keep going and it was awesome. The car was really good."
Having had what was by far his best performance in what is only his eighth career Super2 round, Cameron was full of confidence when asked if he could win the series in Adelaide on Supercars.com's Schick Cool Down Lap podcast.
“Oh shit yeah, 39 points, we can do that," he said.
"What we found on the car on Saturday, like, I don't want to scare any of my competitors, but holy crap, that was the best the car's been all year.
"We did a few mods to the front end and holy crap, it was freaking hooked. I could actually turn the thing. I've been struggling all year with not enough muscle power.
"So yeah, we're going to leave that in for Adelaide and now it's that sort of stage where it gets to the not win it to bin it, but it’s not far off it."
Cameron also completed double duties at Bathurst, driving alongside Aaron Love at Blanchard Racing Team in the CoolDrive Mustang.
Once again, Cameron impressed, completing the majority of the race in the #3, driving 85 laps to Love's 75.
Although they finished a lap down due to some early damage, it was still a special weekend for the 24-year-old, and the culmination of hard work in a wide range of different categories and cars.
"It was good. I'm pumped. It was just so awesome to be here," Cameron said.
“Just standing on the grid prior to the race, I just took a moment just to sort of take it all in and be like, ‘Shit, we actually made it to the 1000’.
"So really cool for my family and everyone that supported me. The race, when you're hitting the wall three laps in, probably not the smartest idea. Put the toes out pretty good. Made it a pretty handful to drive.
"We already weren't that fast and then to have that issue, it was a pretty tough day."
Cameron will duke it out alongside Kai Allen and Zach Bates to be crowned the 2024 Dunlop Super2 Series champion at the VAILO Adelaide 500 from November 14-17. Tickets for the event are on sale now.
