#86 UPDATE

29/06/10

G’day everybody

It has been a while since my last update so I thought I would let you know what’s been happening over the past few months. After the Northwest 200 I was disappointed with my results but I kept things in perspective as it was my first International race for over twelve months so I did not beat myself up over it. As in the past few years the Northwest practice and race schedule was affected by constant weather changes and it was a very difficult week to try and set up three bikes between a dry and wet track.

Some big positives for me over the week was my fitness on track was good and my shoulder was not giving me any trouble, even in the cold I was not getting any discomfort and it was nice to see all the hard work in my off season was paying off. I was genuinely happy to see the team get some excellent results with Alastair as he rode well and deserved to win the main event.

Heading over to the TT with as much bike time and testing as I have ever done pre TT I was feeling confident and practice began well. Each night I was always in the top couple of bike on the Superbike leader board. As most of you would know the Superbike is my favourite bike to ride and class to race so my main focus was to get the big bike set up as best I could for the two six lap races.

In doing this I spent the majority of my practice week on the Superbike and did very few laps on the Supersport and Superstock bikes and I think that showed in my results as they were not as high as I should have been.

After winning the Superstock TT just two years ago to this year be fighting to stay in the top ten was not easy to take. As I said I had done very few laps on the stocker during the week and took a gamble on my suspension set up and had gone way to hard and was cursing myself for four laps that I made the bike so hard to ride!

Superbike race one and I was pushing as hard as always and made that cock up into the Nook, was a silly thing to do! At the time it was a case of the back starting to come around a little under down shifting gears and I thought that I could just shoot down the road and pop back out onto the course. Shame I didn’t know there was a barrier stopping me doing that and I had to turn around and come back to where I had exited the track and then waste a lot of time waiting for a clear track to re enter the course. I kept my head down and was stoked to end up on the podium after such an eventful race.

Come senior race day we had the bike to finish on the podium but I had a minor electrical drama that was causing an ignition spike in the high rpm range and had to return to the pits. We thought that we had it sorted for the re start but no such luck as it was doing the same thing again from very early in the lap. It was tough to see my first board showing me that I was in 3rd position when I knew my race was already over but things could always be worse.

Both Conner and Guy are currently recovering from Injuries sustained in that race, with both of these riders falling it goes to show just how hot the pace was at this year’s TT. I wish them both all the best with their recovery as they are two top riders that will be missed at the racetrack.

Overall it was a tough TT for me and although it was great to be back on the podium I firmly believed that I would have had much stronger results but then there are probably many riders still saying that after this year. I know that my mechanics could not have worked harder this year and I feel for them as well because it’s not easy to do your best and still not got a bike on the podium. Unlike BSB or any other series the TT is just once a year and you can’t go back out in a month’s time to make amends so I have to focus on what I learned this year and keep working away at getting back to winning.

After a tough week of racing I did have one thing to leave me with a big smile on my face... A lap aboard a GSV-R Moto GP bike! It was a nerve wracking experience to begin with as I had never even sat on the bike while it was running until I was on the start line for the lap. Once away it was an absolute pleasure to ride and the thrill of doing over two hundred miles an hour down Sulby straight was very cool. I think that my top speed heading down the mountain and towards Brandish corner would have also been around the same speed as I was flat in top gear, which on that bike was over 18,000 rpm.

Last weekend I got out on the RMZ250 and raced a local motocross event for a bit of fun. It was a great day as the weather has been warm and the track was nice and dusty just like what I am used to back home! I entered myself into C grade as I did not want to be riding to hard or risk injury but after practice I was moved up to B grade after going a little to quick straight away. 

At the end of the day I ended up with two wins in B grade and a 5th in the A&B grade combined race, it was nice to get a few wins and have a good day's with the lads. 

From now on I have a few races scheduled so there will be no time for rest but I will fill you in on where I will be racing as soon as they are confirmed.

Cheers 

Cam

05/04/10 

G'day everybody 

Some big news just in! I am going to do a lap of the full Isle of Man TT circuit on Loris Capirossi's RSV-R Moto GP bike after the senior TT race at this years TT event. I cant begin to explain how stoked I am to get the chance to ride a current Moto GP bike and to get to ride it on 67km of closed public roads will be a once in a lifetime opportunity! So bring on the TT as I can not think of a better way to end what will hopefully be a succssessful fortnight of TT racing!

See quote from MCN below

Loris Capirossi’s 225bhp factory 800cc Rizla Suzuki GSV-R will lap the Isle of Man TT mountain course after the Senior race on Friday June 11.

Suzuki will top its celebration of 50 years in racing, and 25 years of the GSX-R by putting the factory Suzuki MotoGP prototype in the hands of 2008 TT winner Cameron Donald.

It’s the first time ever that a MotoGP bike has ridden around the famous Isle of Man TT circuit.

The ear-shattering, unsilenced 211mph Suzuki GSV-R XRG-3 is the exact same bike that took Loris Capirossi to his 300th GP race in Qatar last month.

30/04/10 

Things have been so busy the past few weeks that I have not updated my site so here is a brief run down of what has been going on. Since my races at Easter I decided to race the first street event on the National Irish roads calendar the "Cookstown 100". Although I had not races a National street race since 2007 I knew that getting back to riding on a real road circuit would be the best way to find out how this new Superbike would handle the "real roads". 

With a sunny weather forecast for race day and the circuit just a couple of miles from my base here in Northern Ireland the last minute decision to compete was made and the club were good enough to grant me a late entry.

Overall the race day was a success as I had entered the event as a test and we took our time to make a lot of settings changes and improved the bike each time it took to the track. My race results for the day were a 2nd in the first Open race aboard the GSXR1000 Superbike, 4th in the 600cc Supersport class. To top the day off I had another 2nd position in the Grand Final aboard the Superbike but this time it was almost a win.

As much as the changes to improve the bike I was starting to get my head around the nature if the ultra tight and bumpy circuit and how you have to ride these stop start style tracks. When I think about it this was my first street race since the Northwest 200 and that was 12mths ago! To be back to dicing with local road race champions Ryan Farquar at sub lap record pace and holding him all the way to the flag I was pumped.

Unfortunately there is little to no room for passing in the Cookstown circuit for me make a pass for the win but to be this close so soon makes the start to the year very encouraging. 

From Cookstown it was back to our local circuit Kirkistown for a full days testing of some more settings and tires on all three of the bikes I will race on the International roads this year. The day went well and again we continued to improve our base settings for the races ahead.

Another bit of news is that after a very successful couple of years wearing AGV helmets I am now wearing KBC helmets. I am very happy with my new lids that have a comfortable fit and a very effective quick release visor system that will be perfect for my Isle of Man TT pit stops.

A big thanks to James Thompson & Johnny Towers from Moto Direct  their support, 

Again James will be my right hand man with Helmets and the rest of my riding kit for the season. James is always making sure I have the best gear in the best order before I take to the track. 

So that is it for now, I should get out on the bike one more time before the Northwest 200 kicks off on the 11th May and will keep you posted.

Cheers

Cam

05/04/10

Easter Monday and it was back to the racetrack for the final race meet of the long weekend at the Kirkistown circuit. A one day race meeting with a very hectic schedule as I was racing in both the 600cc Supersport and 1000cc Superbike classes. 

Practice and qualifying went well considering the conditions were again damp and cold but the track was drying due to the strong wind blowing across the circuit. I was happy to secure a front row spot on the 600 and pole position on the Superbike, the Superbike felt awesome on the dry line around Kirkistown and after racing the stock 1000 at Bishopscourt it was nice to get the extra power back aboard the fully tuned machine! 

Race one on the Superbike and I got away amongst the front few bikes, moving into the lead on the first lap I put my head down and began to put some consistant laps together and build a lead until the flag, taking a 6sec win. For my first Superbike win for 2010 I couldn't have been happier with how the race worked out. Next up it was the first 600 race and after a good start I pulled out of the race with a minor issue, I could have probably raced on if needed but were treating these races case testing and did not want to take any chances. 

Race two on the Superbike and not such a good start leaving me in the pack as we entered the first tight right hand d turn. I had taken a wide line to try and make up some places around the outside when I felt a big hit into the back of my GSXR. This caused my front tire to lock as I was already hard on the brakes and I had no option but to let the brakes go and head straight on and miss the turn. As I was riding back onto the track I glanced down to see my exhaust bracket broken and a bike and rider in a sorry state on the ground, it was then obvious to me that someone had fallen behind me and I was hit by the sliding bike. Just as I thought that was race over for me the red flags came out to stop the race as the fallen rider needed to be ambulance away. 

As I returned to the starting grid my mechanics did an amazing job of fixing the exhaust bracket in moments and I was ready for the re start. This time I was away and into the lead on the first lap and after a few laps dicing I was able to again clear out to a 1.5sec win making it two from two.

So overall the Easter races were a successful test, I had some places some problems and some wins but after the conditions we had to race in we left with all bikes and my body in one piece and that was priority number one!

03/04/10

Day two at Bishopscourt and the weather was still damp and cold so we decided to park the Superbike and ride the GSXR1000 Superstock bike in the Superbike races, The main reason for this was to not take any risks of racing the Superbike in these conditions as its to early in the year to wreck a bike on a slippery track at a race we are using for testing.

At this event the Superbike class was run over three 12 lap races so it was a good chance to get plenty of race start practice. Race one and on a wet track I lined up on the front row of the grid on my Superstock bike, after a very wet and slippery ride I was happy to Finnish on the podium in third place. Race two and another wet race and another 3rd place on the podium. For the final Superbike race I was sitting in second place and feeling confident of holding that position until I was passed under brakes and pushed wide onto surface water allowing another bike to pass and dropping me into fourth place. This was on lap 8 of 12 and to my shock as we came onto the front straight I was faced with the checkered flag! It was an error by the flag waver but to late as the race was over and I was left in 4th place and not the only rider left feeling frustrated at the way the race ended.

Onto the 600cc Supersport race and after already having a race yesterday where I ended up second I wanted to try and go one better today. Unfortunately I had the same problem getting the bike off the start line and had to battle my way through the field in wet conditions with visually down to just a few meters.I cant recall riding with such little vision for a long time. I imagined I was back at home in Australia racing on the dirt bike where we often race in dust so thick that its a gamble to finish the race without  running into another rider or a tree! If anything this gave me something to laugh about in the helmet as I slipped and slide my way around to fourth place. Thanks to some smart thinking by my mechanics they quickly identified the mechanical glitch with the problems getting the bike off the line and I was ready for the final race. 

This time my GSXR600 launched off the line and I was among the front few bikes into turn one. I quickly took the lead and began to pull away on the wet track and took a comfortable win by over 5 seconds. Its a shame I didn't start like this in the other races as my lap times were up to 2 seconds a lap faster than the riders following me in the wet. 

So a great end to the day on the 600cc bike with a string win and fastest lap and to end out round one of the ISB Irish Superbike Championship leading the 600cc Supersport class. 

Today is rest day for Easter Sunday and then down to Kirkistwon Raceway for round two of the Tittle on Monday...

02/04/10 

Today it was off to the Bishopscourt Circuit for round one of the ISB Superbike championships in Northern Ireland. Although the weather forecast was far from pleasing the day began dry but the temperature never reached more than 6deg... so it was a cold old day at the races for me. I was entered in the 1000cc Superbike and 600cc Supersport events and practice for both classes went well. With a drying track I posted the fastest times by 3sec in each class in first practice. As I had not ridden at Bishopscourt since April 2008 I was happy to be straight back on the pace.

Qualifying first up on the 600cc Supersport and I was happy to secure a front row position for the three races ahead. Next up it was the Superbike and I was leading the time sheet until the very last moment when I was piped for pole position by a few hundredths of a second! Oh well front row is all that matters and the bike is improving each time out as we work our way through some setting changes. 

Race one on the 600cc bike was after lunch and after qualifying in the dry the rain moved in. It was a constant heavy rain and I was not even out of pit lane on the warm up lap and already soaked through! I had an issue with getting the Supersport bike off the start line and found myself entering turn one outside the top 20 bikes!

Vision was very poor as the spray from the bikes in front was terrible and I put my head down to start cutting through the field. The GSXR600 was working  a treat with the wet settings in place and I was up to 4th place on the second lap. After a hectic race with very little vision to see my way around the track I was happy to Finnish my first race in 2nd place. Race one for the Superbike was up soon after but the day was cut short due to the heavy rain and standing water on the circuit. 

So its back to Bishopscourt in the morning for Saturdays races and with some dry weather that should give me another two Supersport races and four Superbike races, a busy day ahead! 

29/03/10 

G'day everybody  

Since my last update things have been beginning to fall into place as I look forward to my first race with Relentless Suzuki for 2010 this coming Easter weekend. 

The official press launch for the 2010 Isle of Man TT was held recently and it was great to get back over to the Isle of Man and have a look around. Just the day before I headed over the lads in the workshop had built a new GSXR1000 into a full street legal superstock race replica to be used in some promotions this year. As the bike was new and needed to be run in, what better way than while I did a few laps around the Isle of Man to re familiarize myself with the mountain circuit. Although it was very cold at times it was nice to be riding over the mountain with a clear sky and still patches of snow on the hills lining the road.

Seeing the TT circuit again has sure got me fired up and ready to get over for the TT that is rapidly approaching.

2010 is the 50th anniversary of Suzuki's first race in Grand Prix that was at the 1960 Isle of Man TT and its also the 25th anniversary of the GSXR model range. So there is a lot happen to celebrate these two special anniversary's over this years TT event.

Check out the clip below for my moment on the stage at the chat show held on the opposing night of the launch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vg3FWcrfW2M

From the Isle of Man it was over to the Castle Comb circuit in England for some tire testing with Pirelli who have developed some new tires specifically for the real road circuits this year. We had three days pencilled in but the weather forecast wasn't looking promising for a dry track. When we arrived at the circuit Monday morning and the sky was clear I made the most of the conditions and got straight to work.

I managed 70 laps testing some new superbike slick tires before the rain began and we called it a day. Tuesday we had a wet track all day so did some wet track testing and with the weather looking even worse for Wednesday it was back to Northern Ireland.

We have one more day pencilled in to test before the first race but with the weather forecast for this week predicting heavy snow that may not happen. I am not sure if Pirelli have a tire for heavy snow to fit the GSXR1000 ! 

Easter will be my first race and I have made the decision not to head over to Brands Hatch for the first round of the British Championships.Instead I will stay in Northern Ireland and race two separate short circuit events held here. I will be racing at Bishopscourt on Friday/Saturday and Kirkistown Raceway on Monday.

My reason for doing this is that round one of the British champs is held on the "Indy" circuit at Brands Hatch. With that layout having a sub one minute lap time and the 1000cc Superstock class only having one race my on track time would be minimal. At the two race meeting I will ride in here I can compete in both the Superbike and 600cc Supersport classes and will get around ten race starts over the holiday weekend.

With the days rapidly counting down until my first International street race at the Northwest 200 I want to get as many race miles as possible on all my bikes and this coming weekend will help greatly with that.

I will update my site with the race results asap so stay posted !

Cheers

Cam

10/03/10

I am now back in the UK and well underway with pre season testing and preparation for the racing season that is about to begin. 

Its been a busy couple of weeks since I left my home in Warrandyte a couple of weeks ago. On my return to the UK I had a stopover in Singapore to catch up with my good friends Gareth and Vanessa Williams and there two sons. Back when I was racing in the Asian supersport championship I stayed with the Williams family. They became my family away from home and its always great to catch up for a visit.

As their eldest son Julian is now riding dirt bikes himself we took a trip to the local motorcross track in Malaysia and had a spin on the dirt bikes. That was just a warm up as the following day Gareth and a few of his buddies took me on a jungle trail ride into the rainforest of Malaysia.

It was a huge ride and I got to see some amazing country, nothing like my usual trail riding back home. I have never had wild boar or monkeys running across the track in front of me up at Toolangi... Then again some of my mates on a Tuesday night trail ride could pass for either of those creatures! 

Since arriving back to the Relentless Suzuki team base in Northern Ireland I have been busy. First up I was down to Belfast university for a full physical test and assessment, that all went very well. I was confident that I had been doing the hard yards in the off season back home in Australia but its always nice to see that confirmed on paper!

From there it was over to the Cartagena circuit in Spain for two full days testing the new GSXR superbike and GSXR superstock bikes. All went very well for our first run out on the new bikes and I could feel the extra power that the crew had found during off season development. 

So all is going to plan and I am looking forward to another couple of days testing next week. 

The weather in Northern Ireland where I am based has been ver pleasant so far with mostly sunny days. Although the temp has not hit double figures as yet, I am just back from a ride on my road byccle in the hills and it was magnificent. Peddling along the country lanes that are still lined with snow was a far cry from the heat I was training in back home.

In the end I cut the ride short as the cold was through to my bones and I decided that I may need to head back to the house for a cup of concrete and harden the f@ck up! haha

Will keep you posted each week or so.

Cheers 

Cam

doing a track day at Phillip Island on the stock GSXR1000

Cam & Team Relentless Suzuki by TAS team up again for 2010

my TT superbike at the Northwest 200

17/05/2009 

Northwest 200 Race day

Once again the fickle UK weather spoiled what should have been a great day's racing at the 2009 Northwest 200. 

After very limited track time during the weeks timed sessions due to rain I had taken a gamble on my dry set up for the first superbike race. After getting away to a steady start I soon made my way into fourth place behind John McGuinnuss Bruce Anstey and Steve Plater, Steve and Bruce and a small gap ahead of John and myself and we had all broken away from the race behind us.

I quickly realized that I had over geared my GSXR as riding into the strong head wind I was struggling to pull top gear and this was not going to make it easy to pass and hold off John. As I was working on where I could make a pass the race was stopped with the red flag coming out due to a incident and that was race over at the second lap! 

Due to the race program already running late due to early rain and race delays there was no restart and the race results stood after two laps!

Race Classification
1 SBK 1 Steve PLATER Honda - HM Plant Honda a 2 8:45.964 121.779 4:22.577 122.926 2
2 SBK 5 Bruce ANSTEY Suzuki - Relentless Suzuki by TAS Racing a 2 8:46.603 0.639 121.631 4:23.347 122.567 2
3 SBK 2 John McGUINNESS Honda - HM Plant Honda a 2 8:47.983 2.019 121.313 4:24.943 121.828 2
4 SBK 6 Cameron DONALD Suzuki - Relentless Suzuki by TAS Racing a 2 8:48.452 2.488 121.205 4:24.730 121.926 2
5 SBK 49 Conor CUMMINS Kawasaki - McAdoo Kawasaki Racing a 2 8:49.230 3.266 121.027 4:25.110 121.752 2

Next up it was out on the 600cc supersport bike and although I was starting from 13th on the grid was confident of a strong finnish.

After another on track incident causing this race to be red flagged on the first lap it was restarted and again I had to work my way through the bikes ahead. All was going well and I was already up to eighth position half way around the first lap and on the back of the lead bunch when an electrical problem caused my bike to stop and it was race over for me...

With the Superstock race up next i was looking forward to turning my disappointing morning around and get a score on the board!

After a reasonable start I was in third position behind my team mate Alastair Seeley and Kawasaki mounted Ryan Farquhar who were trying to make a break on the field.

There was a fallen rider on the circuit on the second lap and I slowed to avoid the debris from the bike and marshals assisting the rider but some other riders took advantage of the situation and made up ground and positions under the waved yellow flags and I finished the lap in fourth position.

Once again the race was stopped due to a heavy shower of rain and the race result was called at the end of the second lap.

 1 STK 1 Alastair SEELEY Suzuki - Relentless Suzuki by TAS Racing a 2 8:50.296 120.784 4:27.040 120.872 2
2 STK 8 Ryan FARQUHAR Kawasaki - Kenny Harker Racing a 2 8:51.195 0.899 120.579 4:28.715 120.118 2
3 STK 2 Keith AMOR Honda - Wilson Craig Racing a 2 8:54.098 3.802 119.924 4:28.656 120.145 2
4 STK 6 Cameron DONALD Suzuki - Relentless Suzuki by TAS Racing a 2 8:54.538 4.242 119.825 4:29.450 119.791 2
5 STK 7 Guy MARTIN Honda - Hydrex Honda a 2 8:55.429 5.133 119.626 4:29.221 119.893 2

And from there the day just got worse....

As we took to the grid for the main event of the day the NW 200 superbike final the heavens opened with heavy rain and the remainder of the event was cancelled...

To say I am gutted is an understatement as my team had worked so hard towards this event and I had also been training and focused on my first win for 2009 but it was not to be.

The whole day was a joke in my eyes as to call race results at less than half race distance is hard to get my head around but on a positive note I am off to the Isle of Man TT in the next week with body and all bikes in one piece and ready to take on the Mountain course!

15/05/2009

 Northwest 200 Thursday Qualifying

 Today the weather decided to throw a spanner in the works and we had dark clouds and rain instead of sun to qualify in. I used the beginning of the superbike session to try some minor set up changes but there was only so much we could do in the damp conditions and I sat most of the session out. After the superbike timed session it was the 600cc supersport bikes up next but before we got on track the organizers cancelled the remainder of the days schedule due to the wet conditions and poor light. So tuesday nights qualifying times will stand for saturdays race day, this is not such a bad thing for myself and the team as although it would be good to improve my supersport grid position the superbike and superstock bikes are both up the front of the grid and ready to make the most of it. Northwest 2oo race day will be by far the busiest day of the racing year for myself as I am competing in two superbike, two supersport and superstock race so five events in all on the one day! 

You can tune into www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/nw200/ the for all the live racing action on the day and wish me well as I will be giving it my all to be the first Aussie to win a race at the Northwest 200 in its 80 year history! 

SATURDAY, 16th MAY
11.00am approx.  Race 1 - 250cc (4 laps)
11.45am approx.  Race 2 - Superbike (5 laps)
12.45pm approx.  Race 3 - 600cc Supersport (5 laps)
  1.45pm approx.  Race 4 - 125cc (4 laps)
  3.00pm approx.  Race 5 - Superstock (5 laps)
  4.00pm approx.  Race 6 - NW200 Superbike (6 laps)
  5.15pm approx.  Race 7 - 600cc Supersport (5 laps)

All of Saturday's racing will be streamed live on this website from 11.00am - 6.00pm (approx)

13/05/2009 

Northwest 200 Tuesday Qualifying 

 The first International rood race of the year got underway in ideal conditions last night as the sky was clear for the first night of timed practice. I had two on track sessions, session one being for superbike/superstock bikes and session two for 600cc supersport/superstock.

Due to there being such limited track time the sessions are run so that you have to ride both bikes in the same session, this always makes for a very hectic job of trying to set up and then post fast times on multiple bikes!

After making some minor adjustments on the superbike that cost me valuable on track time I was happy to set the fifth fastest time followed by securing second fastest on the 1000cc superstock bike.

The final session on the 600cc supersport bike did not go just as well with the session being cut short due to an on track incident, this leaving me without enough time to put together a hot lap.

As the weather forecast for thursdays second qualifying is for rain the current positions may stand but with a little dry weather I do hope to move a little further up the superbike and supersport  grid!

Superbike: 

1:B Anstey 2:J McGuinness 3: K Amor 4: S Plater 5: C Donald 6: M Rutter

Superstock:

1: A Seeley 2: C Donald 3: B Anstey 4: R Farquar 5: G Johnson 6: K Amor  

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

04/05/2009 

Oulton Park BSB 

  I am just back from Oulton Park and round two of the British championships, this was also my first race of the 2009 season. The weekend was as much a test session for the new 2009 model GSXR1000 as bike time for myself before the Northwest 200 that begins next week.

Overall the weekend went ok as I worked at a base set up for the new bike and at the end of qualifying I had secured 9th position on the grid for the 15 lap race to be held on bank holiday monday. This was not as high up the order as I would have liked but I had struggled to get a clear run through traffic in the final timed session and if I could string my best sector times together would be on the pace.

On saturday and sunday we had clear skies and sunshine but as I opened the motel curtains monday morning I was greeted by grey sky and rain! Bike set up was now out the window as we swapped our dry settings to set the bike up to handle the wet conditions. I have always been able to finish well in the wet back home in Australia or Asia but in the UK all riders are very fast in the wet as they end up racing in the rain as much as the dry during the uk summer, so I knew it was going to be a tough race. 

As the lights went out and the race begun I got an awesome launch off the line and was straight amongst the front group through the first turn. As I made my way around the outside of the group to push for the lead I got a little eager on the throttle and the rear tire spun up sitting me out of the seat and costing me many positions. I had just found out how slippery the conditions were going to be and knew then it would be a race of attrition. 

Entering the second chicane while still on the first lap two riders fell beside me during braking, one of the bikes slid straight into the side of my GSXR causing me to run straight on missing the chicane and out on the grass. I was lucky to keep the bike upright and the only damage was a flattened exhaust and loose foot peg. Re entering the race well down in the field I completed the first lap well outside the top 20.

My chance of a podium finish now all but gone I decided to just put my head down and try to use the race as wet weather practice. My bike was working well and I quickly began working through the field ahead, my lap times continued to improve during the race and by the end of the fifteen laps I had made my way to seventh position.

So considering how far back I was on the first lap I have to be happy with seventh, studying the time sheets after the race it was painful to see that I  had been lapping fast enough to run with the podium finishers and had set the third fastest lap of the race through traffic! 

Oh well the first race is now out of the way and bring on the Northwest 200 next week!

I have a full day testing the bikes later this week and then it is back to the real roads and the first International race of the year.

Cheers 

Cam

Putting in some laps on the 2009 model GSXR1000 super stock bike...

"Finally Back In the UK" 

After a stressful couple of months waiting for my uk visa to be processed I am finally back in the uk and ready to race! The UK have implemented a new visa application system and due to problems with the new system and a backlog of applications I was starting to think I may never get back here.

After arriving it was straight to the  racing team workshop, the boys  have been working hard during the off season and the workshop has had a total refit. It looks first class, as do the new 2009 model GSXR 1000 super and superstock machines just waiting to cut some laps in testing this week.

It has been great to get back to Northern Ireland and see my team who have all become such good mates, now it is time to get down to work and prepare for my first race.

This will be round two of the British superstock championship at Oulton Park, I like the layout of this circuit and its mix of fast turns should be good set up practice for the quickly approaching Northwest 200 road race.

As well as my monthly column in "Irish Racer" magazine I am now also writing a monthly column in the Australian "Two Wheels" magazine.

The first column in Two Wheels will be out soon so grab yourself a copy and let me know what you think.

I will be updating my site weekly from now on so please keep dropping past to hear the latest.

Cheers 

Cam 

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