#86 UPDATE 

23/04/2012

After a very successful start to the Easter weekend the Wilson Craig Honda Team was straight from Bishopscourt to the Kirkistown circuit and round two of the Irish Superbike championships.

Again the weather was cold with dark clouds never far away as I took to the track for qualifying, ending up with pole position in both 600cc Supersport and 1000cc Superbike classes.

Considering the extremely cold track temperatures my lap times were very encouraging and we continued to improve the bikes set up.

I had two starts in each class during the long afternoon and we again took a clean sweep with four from four. This may sounds like it was all a little easy but rest assure there was no time for taking it easy with the weather constantly changing. We had to race in dry, wet and mixed track conditions but the team made the correct tire decisions to make the most of each event.

Overall for an initial shakedown the Easter weekend was a success as it showed what worked and what needs work as we look towards the quickly approaching Northwest 200.

With no time for rest Kaz and myself were straight back to our apartment after racing to pack our bags for round one of the World Endurance Championships the Bol Dor 24hr to be held on the Magny Cours circuit in France.

Arriving in Paris on Tuesday it was in to the heart of the city for a function held by our friends and sponsors Motul oils. This was also the unveiling of the new “TT Legends” CRB1000 that I will race in the WEC series this year.

Wednesday and Thursday were on track with practice to try some different settings and work on a compromise with set up between the four riders. The team had John McGuinness, Simon Andrews, Gary Johnson and myself on hand with the fastest three going through to start the race.

At the end of timed qualifying as a team we had qualified 11th and lower than we wanted to be but in a race that lasts 24hrs where you start is not vitally important.

I was chosen to make the race start and take to the track on Saturday afternoon for the “Le Mans” style start. As the French flag was waved I ran across the wet circuit to jump aboard the Fireblade and begin our first 24hr race for 2012.

From 11th on the grid I completed lap one in 4th place and was comfortable on the damp and slippery Magny Cours track.

Settling into 5th place as the track started to dry out and pitting after my hour long stint on wet treaded tires that were now ripped to shreds from the drying track.

From there we held fifth place until well into Sunday when some small issues costing us a couple of unscheduled pit stops that dropped us into 6th. I took to the track on Sunday around noon with just a few hours to go and got my head down to try and close the growing gap to 5th place. All was going well and at times I was fastest on track in the wet conditions as the gap decreased.

Unfortunately I then hit a slippery patch of wet track as I began braking at the end of the ultra fast back straight and found myself on my ear… Jumping off the bike at near 200kph I slid a long way before coming to a stop but thankfully I had got away with the skid unscathed.

Picking the bike up I could see I would have to push it back, not much chance of riding it now that the fuel tank was missing!

Making it back to the pits the TT Legends team jumped into action and had the bike repaired and back on track in around 20 minutes! Amazing job that kept us in our on track position of 6th.

With around 40min left to go in the race our team boss Russell left it up to John and myself on who would ride to the flag. With both of us well and truly worn out from racing the past 23hrs we flipped a coin to decide who would be putting the leathers back on.

I won the toss but decided that I would ride the last stint… Last year I had the opportunity to both start and finish the Le Mans 24hr and now I can say I have done the same at the Bol Dor 24hr as I rode the bike to the flag in 6th place.

It was an epic race that was ridden on a dry track a wet track and everything in-between but it was always cold and with conditions as low as 4deg overnight it was magic to get an early night in a warm motel bed on Sunday evening.

Returning from France it was over to the Isle of Man for the 2012 TT press launch and some PR duties. This was a fun few days to catch up with riders and friends that I had not seen since last year’s TT.

Now we have returned to our base in Northern Ireland to have a few days rest to catch our breath as the count down to the Northwest 200 begins.

Cheers

08/04/2012

G'day everybody 

The racing year is well underway and after an enjoyable summer at home in Australia my girlfriend Karen and myself have headed back to the cool UK spring time. Leaving home a few weeks back we had a quick stop in Singapore for a couple of nights to catch up with friends and break up the long haul to the UK. 

On arriving it was straight to Honda UK to pick up a new Honda CRV to get us about while here. I then left with the Honda TT Legends world endurance team for the final world endurance test at Magny Cours in France. 

It was great to be back on the all new 2012 Honda CBR1000 Fireblade race bike with the TT Legends team. Testing went well and with day two treating us to a warm 24deg it was perfect to record some encouraging lap times. 

Next time I see the Magny Cours circuit will be the week after Easter when we return for round one of the World Endurance championship the Bol Dor 24hr race.

After that it was straight back to Northern Ireland and into our home away from home...this year we are treated to a lovely apartment on the Northern Irish coastline. With the Irish sea only meters from our front window its a perfect place to rest up between races. 

My first run out on the Wilson Craig Hondas that I will race at this years street races was a test day at the Kirkistown circuit. This gave me a chance to work on a base setting for the CBR1000 and CBR600 race bikes. 

Easter Friday and Saturday was my first race on the Wilson Craig bikes as the team entered the first round of the Irish Supebike championship at the Bishopscourt circuit.

Using practice and qualifying to continue developing the new bikes I was happy to secure pole position for both Superbike and Supersport classes. 

Race day and it was a dream run as I won four races from four starts taking a clean sweep in both classes.

From the outside our performance on track may have looked like we were doing it easy but I was putting in 100% effort in all races. I need to get as much set up time as possible with these bikes before we race the first International street race the Northwest 200 in May and we wont learn anything unless we are pushing the limits!

Next up for me is round two of the Irish Superbike series at the Kirkistown circuit on Easter Monday...

Will keep ya posted!

Cam

05/09/2011

G'day everyone

Since my last update I have been to Japan for the Suzuka 8hr. It was an amazing experience and the circuit would now be one of my favorites. The layout has such a technical layout with both fast and slow turns it was a challenge to learn. Qualifying went well but an issue with the world endurance spec rear wheel changing system forced the team into an early retirement. At least I got to qualified and also ride a rotation in the race and record some solid and consistent lap times. 

The Ulster GP was the final street race in my Calendar and started well when I qualified the 600 and Superbike on the front row. Come race day and the weather was against us with rain starting and stopping all day. This made for some very tricky tire choices and race strategies... I played it safe and did not take any chances in the dodgy conditions and ended the day with a podium in the Supersport class. I recorded the second fastest lap for race day on the superbike but things did not come together in the race for a podium finish. I was happy to keep it safe and leave in one piece! 

The next round of the World Endurance Championship is the 24hr race at Le Mans on the 24/25 September. Last week the TT legends team attended the official 2 day test for the event giving me a chance to learn the circuit. 

Testing went well and I was comfortable while lapping at race pace lap times so I cant wait for my first 24hr race where I will partner John and Keith on the TT legends Fireblade. 

Before I head to Le Mans it will be over to the Goodwood Revival event to race a G50 Matchless at the iconic event. Everything at the 3 day event has a pre 1966 theme... everything from the bikes and cars competing to the riders and mechanics clothes! It should be a great weekend of fun.

Then the 24hr... bring it on! 

Cheers

Cam

24/07/2011

G'day everyone 

My apologies for not keeping my web site updated this year but I am now using my Cameron Donald Racing Facebook page to post my regular news!

So what have I been doing since my last update here...

This years Isle of Man TT has been run and won...my best finish was 2nd in the Superbike TT and I can't complain about that. Unfortunately I had no mechanical luck this year and while leading both 600cc Supersport races my engine expired...

After the TT it was over to England for the famous "Goodwood Festival of Speed" to ride the hill climb and rub shoulders with some of the big names of world motorsport. I have never been big into meeting celebrates but it was rather cool to be in the same paddock as Mark Webber, Lewis Hamilton, Ken Block, Dougie Lampkin etc etc...

Met Roland Sands that builds some of the worlds neatest custom Harley's and had a good yarn about some bike building ideas... so plenty more ideas of things to do when I get back home to Australia.

Raced at the Isle of Man's Southern 100 race the other week and had a best finish of 3rd on the Superbike. Then it was down to the Southern end of Ireland for the Kells International street races. 

It was a great weekend and I walked away with two podiums and the win in the Grand Final race on the Superbike. Kells is the circuit often shown in pictures as it has the biggest jumps you would ever find on bitumen. This year the event was run in the rain so it added to the excitement!

This week I am off to Japan to race with the Honda TT Legends world endurance team in the Suzuka 8hr race.

It has always been a dream of mine to race this event so I can't wait to touch down to the heat of Japan as the UK summer this year has not had much heat at all!

Wish me luck and I will keep you posted!

Cheers

Cam

22/05/2011 

The International road racing year got underway at the Northwest 200 this week on the Northern Irish coastline course. Tuesday evening was the first timed practice and I rode in all three classes. 600cc Supersport, 1000cc Superstock and 1000cc Superbike.

At the completion of practice I was 12th Superbike and 6th Superstock and considering I was using the track time to try some different bike settings I was happy. The Wilson Craig Racing CBR 600 was spot on from lap one in the Supersport session and I was very happy to top the time sheet and be fastest for the evening in that class.

Thursday was our second and final timed practice sessions. This session we had over one hour on each bike to finalize our race settings and secure our grid positions. I chose not to run a softer qualifying tire on the Superstock bike to test the endurance of the tire for a full race distance. My time put me 8th overall in the class, farther back than I wanted but with the times being very close it was ok.

Superbike was a very close at the top and after running as high as 3rd was happy to end the session in 5th spot on the grid with a good race set up.

After such an encouraging start on the 600 we had a minor mechanical problem that stopped me out on the track just two laps into that session. Fortunately my time from Tuesday still found me 6th on the grid.

Race day Saturday and heavy rain was the outlook for our race day weather! 

Race one I was out on the 600 for the Supersport event...

After a poor start due to spinning up on the line I entered turn one in last place! After a thrilling race and for sure one of my most enjoyable racing in some time I took a strong second place. After being at the back of the field to actually lead the race many times and take a podium finish in such poor conditions I had to be happy!  

Check out the link to a clip of the race!

Sadly that was our one and only race of the day due to a bomb threat causing the race paddock to be evacuated for some time... I have never known of such a thing happening in bike racing but these things can happen on this side of the world... 

A great shame to spoil a fantastic event with such nonsense...

After that we took to the track again late in the afternoon for the superbike race again in wet conditions. 

After a steady start I was feeling good on my CBR1000 when the red flags came out to stop the race due to a huge oil spill from a blown up engine.

I was sitting in third place at the time so it was a shame as another podium finish was looking good. 

The spill was so bad that in wet conditions the road could not be safely cleaned as the oil was spread for over a kilometer of track and with the rain had spread over the whole track width.

So overall a very tiring day but we showed that the new Wilson Craig Honda team and Dunlop tire combination is working as I had hoped.

Next stop the Isle of Man TT just a week away !

Cheers

Cam

Below is a clip of my 600cc race and also a press clip from pre race week.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/northern_ireland/13486830.stm

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/video/video.php?v=1933929900656&oid=114010462015043&comments

02/05/11 

My first street race of the season was at the Cookstown 100 National road race last weekend. It's always a shock to the system to be back racing on the narrow street circuits of the National races. But that is why I was there to get back in the feel of riding between the hedges! As qualifying is just 5 laps per class there was no time to stop for set up changes so it was a case of doing my best on a guessed setting. This worked ok and I secured 2nd on the grid with the 600 and 4th on the Superbike. 

Race one I was out on the Superbike and had a close battle with Ryan Farquar for the lead, in the end I settled for a close second place. 

Race two I was out on my super sweet CBR600 and after an unusually poor start I worked my way up to second and again found myself dicing for the lead with Ryan. I crossed the line in second place and had to be happy with that. The 600 race was shortened by 4 laps due to the event running behind schedule and I believe that with some extra laps the result may have been different! 

Race three and the open grand final as I took to the grid on my CBR1000 Superbike. Holding third for most of the race as I watched Michael Dunlop and Ryan Farquar taking some huge risks as they battled for the lead. At the time I thought I was best to sit back and try and avoid the debris if they ended up coming together. With the Northwest 200 approaching this month I decided to leave the big risks to the other lads and back off for a safe finish. I backed off a little to much and got nabbed for third. A fourth place was ok as we left the Cooks town with all bikes in one piece and a lot more information for our development of the new machines.

For now its some testing and then bring on the Northwest 200 and the first International road race of 2011!

Cheers 

Cam

10 out of 10...

28/04/11 

G'day everybody and sorry I have not been keeping my web site updated... Since arriving back in the UK I have been on the move and my laptop has been down and out so I have not been able to keep you informed of my progress so far!

Since arriving I have been over to France testing the "TT Legends" world endurance bike at Magny Cours. Also over to the Isle of Man for the TT press launch and the premier of the new TT 3D movie "closer to the edge". 

Round one of the World Endurance championship kicked off at the Magny Cours circuit with the 24hr Bol'Dor race. I was riding as a reserve rider for the new "TT Legends" team in case there was any of the teams line up unable to make the start for the 24hr event. I set the 3rd fastest time in the reserve rider practice and qualifying sessions but was not required for the race so had the chance to enjoy the race as a spectator. With around 100,000 French fans making the most of the sunny weekend to watch the race it was a fantastic atmosphere out amongst the spectators. I walked a few laps of the track in the out field and enjoyed a couple of sneaky pints of French beer to help me deal with the frustration of not getting to race myself!! ha ha

In its debut race the "TT Legends" team finished a very creditable 5th place after the gruelling race. 

Since then I have been back to Northern Ireland and my first races with my new Wilson Craig Honda Team...

The Easter weekend held both round one and two of the Irish Superbike Championship and I was entered to race in both the 600cc Supersport and 1000cc Superbike classes. 

Round one was held at the Bishopscourt circuit and round two on the Kirkistown track. Both Circuits are fantastic venues that I have raced on many times in the past few years. 

This was my first racewith Wilson Craig on the new Honda CBR 1000 and CBR 600 and to say it went well would be an understatement!

I started by setting pole position for both classes and went on to record 6 wins from 6 starts over the two classes...

Then onto Kirksitown for round two and another two pole positions and 4 wins from 4 starts and also a new outright circuit lap record on the Superbike!!!

So it was 10 from 10 and all going well...

A big thank you to all involved in the weekend as it was our first race and there was a lot of work to do with sorting out some base settings for the bikes and all learning how to work with each other.

So far so good and onto the "real roads" at the Cookstown 100 Street race this weekend. 

Will keep ya posted... until then...  take it easy!

Cam

02/11/10 

I am excited to have signed to race for Wilson Craig Racing in 2011. Having ridden for Wilson in the past I know he always gives 100% in the preparation of his bikes and equipment. Along with his association with Parkalgar Honda I know that the bikes will be fast and ready to take on the fierce competition we will be facing on the roads next year.

Wilson runs a professional team and I see myself as a professional rider so I am confident we both want the same thing from our racing and I look forward to giving 100% effort in riding his bikes.

With the UK currently facing a cold winter I feel lucky to be at home in Australia with good weather to train and prepare for my return to the UK next year ready and rearing to go as soon as I take to the track on my return.

Cheers 

Cam

my

Waiting on the superbike for practice to begin and enjoying the sun!

Out getting some practice on my GSXR1000 before leaving oz... Pic by Alec Simpson

CAMERONMAKES IT A DOUBLE!!!!!

BREAKING NEWS: 02/06/08

Cameron Donald wins his second race at this years Isle Of Man TT races, the Scottish International Superstock race. Riding his 2008 Suzuki GSXR1000 for Relentless Suzuki he lead John McGuinness at the chequered flag by 15.07 seconds. In third place was Guy Martin.

CAMERON DONALD WINS 2008 ISLE OF MAN TT SUPERBIKE RACE

Racing a 2008 Suzuki GSXR1000 for TAS Suzuki, Cameron Donald has finished 1st place in the opening race of the 2008 Isle of Man TT, the Dainese Superbike Race. Following Cameron by just under 11 seconds was teammate Bruce Anstey and in third place was Adrian Archibald.

2008 is Cameron's third year racing at the Isle of Man TT, he finished 2nd place in the Senior TT in 2006. Cameron missed last years centennial TT races due to injury.  

Stay tuned this week for more TT results.

Photo by Stephen Davidson, Pacemaker Press Intl

#86 UPDATE

TT 2008 !!

30 May 2008

G,day everybody

After a strong start to practice week the weather at the Isle Of Man stepped in with cloud and rain causing us to miss both tuesday and wednesday nights practice.

With the sun returning for thursday we made the most of the conditions and put in another two laps on the superbike and my first two laps out on the GSXR600 supersport machine.

As we have lost valuable on track set up time it is now a case of making some educated guess work and settling on a race set up.

With the weather looking clear we should get another good run tonight before the TT race week begins tomorrow.

Race one of the five race schedule is the six lap Superbike race kicking off at noon Saturday.

After missing last years TT I could have done with the extra laps we missed in practice this week but overall I am happy with all three bikes and cant wait to get that first race done!

Bring It On !!

Cam

Northwest 200 Podium !! 

20 May 2008

G'day everybody !  

The northwest 200 is now done and dusted and what a huge week it was!

After a positive two evenings of practice I was confident heading into saturdays five races.

It turned into an up and down day when sitting in a strong third position in the first superbike race a small stone became jammed in the throttle body to stick my throttle wide open on the entry to Metrapole corner!

Then after a thrilling superstock battle I led the race down the final section of the coast road only to be passed into the final chicane having to settle for third place.

In the Feature race of the day on the superbike all was looking good as I sat back while the riders ahead traded places and on the final lap I took the lead and almost had it until Michael Rutter and Steve Plater passed up the inside into the final chicane both running onto the grass ! I passed Michael back to take second place !

So overall some great results in the closest racing ever seen at the Northwest 200 and a perfect lead up to TT.

This week the team is over the water to the Isle Of Man where practice for TT 2008 begins this saturday evening.

Bring It On...

Cheers

Cam

Cheers

Cam

www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/nw200  

Cheers

Cam

Podium Finish For Round One Of The British Superstock Championship

21 April, 2008 

G'Day everybody

After round one of the 2008 British Superstock Championship at Brands Hatch was postponed due to snow it was clear skies when the tittle finally kicked off at Thruxton on the weekend. 

In my first race on the Relentless Suzuki GSXR1000 superstock bike I was thrilled to take third place in round one of the tittle and setting the fastest lap of the race in the process !

Check out the 2008 "results page" for the weekends report.

Cheers,

Cam #86