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With the GT Daytona (GTD) class not competing at Long Beach, Dane Cameron took a break from his regular ride in Turner Motorsport’s No. 94 BMW Z4 to make a guest appearance with Risi Competizione in the No. 62 Ferrari F458 Italia, joining Formula One veteran Giancarlo Fisichella in finishing ninth in GT Le Mans (GTLM).
Cameron was born in Glen Ellen, Calif., and now lives in the Atlanta area. The 25-year-old worked his way up racing’s ladder through karting and several open-wheel series, winning the 2006 Formula F2000 Rookie of the Year and the 2007 Star Mazda championship. In recent years he has raced in both the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series and American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón. Last year, he won two Daytona Prototype poles and three Prototype Challenge poles, helping PR1/Mathiasen Racing teammate Mike Guasch to the PC championship.
Q: What was it like to race the Ferrari F458 Italia?
A: “Very cool. It was fun to make my first start in GTLM – and also for Mr. Risi and in a Ferrari. Quite a lot of things to take in, but it’s a beautiful car that makes a fantastic sound and it was a pleasure spending the weekend with the team. It was everything I expected and more. The mechanical grip is huge, and you are able to carry more speed through the corners than you think you should. I was never so fortunate to drive a Ferrari before.”
Q: What are your thoughts returning to the Turner Motorsport BMW Z4 at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca?
A: “I think we’ve got a good package going into the next race. We were on pole and had the quickest lap at Sebring, but I had a little error towards the end – a problem with a pit stop – and I think that cost us a shot at a good finish. We’re looking for a bit of redemption at Mazda Raceway. We had a clean run at Daytona but didn’t have the pace, and we had the pace at Sebring but not quite a clean run. We’re hoping to put all the pieces together and come out of Mazda Raceway with a good result. I think we’ll have a strong car there and the circuit should suit us.”
Q: You had a busy year in 2013, winning poles in both DP and PC. What are your thoughts seeing the two series combined into the TUDOR Championship?
A: “It’s great to have everything under one roof. It’s much simpler for the fans, and the interest in the new series has been spectacular. The turnout at both Daytona and Sebring was huge. It was massive at Long Beach – even in our paddock. There are a few growing pains, but I think each weekend will get better and better. The racing in every category has been spectacular so far.”
Q: You’ve raced with Tim Bell Racing in the CTSC at Daytona and Sebring – will you return in the Nissan for Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca?
A: “I’m in that car for the whole year. It’s a brand new program with Tim Bell Racing, in Nissan 370Zs. It’s a bit of a building process, getting all the groundwork laid. The car has a huge amount of potential. We keep growing as a group and the car gets quicker every weekend. I haven’t done much racing in the Continental Tire Challenge before, and it’s fun. There’s an insane amount of cars out there and a huge amount of talent. The racing is tough, and it’s fun to learn about that style of racing.”
Q: Anything planned for your California homecoming?
A: “It’s always a fun weekend. It’s one of only two or three times that I get to go home all year to Northern California, and it’s always fun to see friends and family, and usually a few people make it down to the race. A trip to In-N-Out [Burger] is always on the list. My favorite memory from Mazda Raceway was winning with Team Sahlen [in 2012] for the last victory for the Mazda RX-8, and the first victory for Team Sahlen in GT. It was also my first GT victory. That was a pretty special moment. That was a long time coming for all of us, and it was special for me to do it at home – and at home for Mazda. It’s a track where I grew up watching IndyCar and Formula Atlantic races. It’s a track I’ve been going to at least once a year for my whole life.”
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