Cameron thrilled with special maiden TCM win

It felt like it was meant to be as Scott Cameron celebrated his first Touring Car Masters race win at Darwin after a massive rebuild.

After a hefty three-car crash at the previous round at Tasmania, Jesus Racing, Whiteline Racing and Duggan Family Racing all faced uphill tasks, but with assistance from the TCM community all over the country, they all raced at Hidden Valley.

Not only that, the trio filled the podium in the very first race following the rebuild in a special sign of the racing gods rewarding their efforts.

Leading the charge was Cameron, who broke through in the Trophy Race to take his first victory exactly a year after his Touring Car Masters debut.

The Springwood Golf Course Super Attendant could not hide behind the significance for both car and driver.

“It was one of those bittersweet moments,” Cameron told Auto Action.

“As bad as Tasmania ended up, the amount of work the Whiteline Racing team had done just to get the car to Darwin initially was incredible and then winning was nothing short of amazing.

“As soon as we rolled out of the truck in the Trophy Race it felt better than ever. Everything ran like a Swiss watch.

“We got close to 50kg less weight which helped a lot. The car had pace all weekend and to get out in front and win by 7s felt good.

“I never went to Hidden Valley thinking I was a chance of winning and you don’t get them every week so it was one to celebrate.”

Cameron’s first TCM win completed something of a fairytale for Whiteline Racing.

The team has been flat out, having to remove the entire front end of the Camaro, which took the full impact in Tasmania.

Cameron was an innocent victim of the crash as he was left nowhere to go coming out of Turn 3, with Fisher bouncing off the wall and into his path.

As a result, the entire front end of the Camaro had to be removed and replaced in a mammoth effort.

“Everyone chipped in and did their bit to help out.

“Bob (Middleton) the team owner travelled to Melbourne to pick up parts, everyone just got in. Parts were ordered even before we left Tasmania.

“As soon as there was a bit of hope everyone put in and got it done.

“You know how much effort the boys put in and it was just great to reward them.”

For the win to arrive at Hidden Valley was also specual for Cameron, as it marked exactly a year since his TCM debut.

“Initially, coming from Sports Sedans was a big change because these TCM cars have a lot of power, but not as grippy. They move around a lot more so that was something to come to terms with,” he said.

“Maximising the green tyre is also a big thing. Usually, you are good for three laps, while before you could have five or six laps.

“It took us a little bit, but we have not been too far off the pace and we just need to find some consistency.

“When you are new to a team, you are feeling your way around and now a year in we were settled.

“Being with my engineer and getting a better understanding of each other to maximise the car to get the best result has improved a lot.

“We are coming up to some tracks like the Bend and Sandown where we seemed well suited.

“I am pretty confident going into the final three rounds.”

No matter the results, Cameron is simply loving TCM.

“I love it, it is by far my favourite category,” he said.

“Growing up I loved these cars and it is awesome to sit my bum in one of them. They are raw and old school.

“All the competitors are good people and it looks like things have taken a turn in the right direction in recent years and we all want to see it continuing to grow.”

Buy the new issue of Auto Action Premium HERE

Read the new issue of Auto Action Digital HERE

Don’t forget the print edition of Auto Action available via subscription here or you can purchase a copy of the latest issue from one of our outlets here. For more of the latest motorsport news, subscribe to AUTO ACTION magazine