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Cameron
Donald began riding at the age of six on a Suzuki RM50. Handed down
from his older brother Brad who along with their other elder
brother Darren had moved onto 80cc bikes in Junior Motorcross. With
both of his brothers already racing, this gave Cameron two role
models to chase when they rode in the paddoks at their grandparents
property in Warrandyte.
Although Cameron was riding regularly for years, his serious racing
did not begin until he was 15 years old, when he began competing in
short circuit dirt track events.
The next
three years were spent racing around the dirt track circuits of
Victoria with the support of his dad Ken. Cameron managed to
establish himself as one of the fastest dirt track riders in the
country claiming many race wins and state titles on the
way.
By this time
Cameron's brothers had finished their Motorcross racing but eldest
brother Darren was well on his way now in Road Racing and competing
at a National level on a 250cc Grand Prix
machine.
Cameron,
always wanting to follow the footsteps of his brothers and also his
dad who was a racer himself in his younger years, the next step was
inevitable. Cameron moved onto a Honda RS 125 Grand Prix bike.
Once again with the support of his dad, Cameron began his
transition from dirt to road. This was an interesting time as he
had gone from the ultra aggressive, sideways, sliding dirt track to
the most precise and razo sharp handling 125cc class, where any
sideways antics would usually end up with bike and rider tumbling
off the track.
Within a
season of following his brother to selected rounds of the
Australian Championship and racing local state rounds, Cameron was
developing his own unique style. With a combination of dirt track
sliding skills and GrandPrix bike precision he stepped up to a
250cc Production bike.
It was here
that Cameron began asserting himself as one of the most promising
young riders, consistently finishing on the podium at Australian
Championship level.
With
suchstrong results behind him Cameron was approached by leading
privateer team owner David Bancell and asked to ride a Suzuki
GSXR600 in the Australian Supersport title. Cameron took to the
bigger bikes well being able to use the extra power of the 600cc to
slide the bike with throttle control, similar to how he did in dirt
track.
From there
Cam running the trusty number 86 as he from the first time he raced
dirt track all those years ago, has gone on to compete at a
National and International level. He has an ever-growing list of
race wins and championships to his name.
Year 2003 saw
Cameron compete in the Australian Formula Xtreme Championship
aboard a Yamaha R1 prepared by local tuning business Dynobike. In
what was his first year on the 1000cc machine, Cameron went on to
win the Victorian Superbike Championship and ranked top privateer
in the National Formula Xtreme Championship.
2003 was no
time to rest as Cameron also rode for team China Zong Shen in the
Asian Road Racing Championship, aboard a Yamaha R6. Cameron won
three races and finished 2nd overall in his first attempt at the
title, each circuit being new to him every round.
An added
bonus in 2003 Cameron won the prestigious Macau Supersport Grand
Prix for the second time (also won this in 2001), racing against
leading factory ride from across the globe.
In 2004
Cameron Donald is again competing in the Asian Road Racing
Championship, riding for Team China Yuan XG Jao. He has also raced
in two rounds of the British Superbike Championship (Mondello Park
and Thruxton)
In 2005 Cameron returned to Australia from stunning debut
performances at the North West 200 and the Isle of Man TT, where
he competed on privateer Supersport and Superbike machines
and finished fastest newcomer at both events.
He was then contacted by the official Honda UK Road Racing team
'Team DMRR Honda' to contest the Dundrod 150 and Ulster Grand Prix
International road races. Riding 600cc Supersport, 1000cc
Superstock and Superbike machines with amazing results, at his
first attempts at these events.
Cameron also competed at the Singapore Supermotard International
race which he won with flying colours.
He also raced at the Moto GP - Support races
in Sepang Malaysia. Winning both Superbike
races.
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