DRIVER NEWS: CAMERON MORRISON
Cameron Morrison locks up Regional Junior Light Championship in his Rookie Brian Stewart Racing Karting Championship season, Setting 5 class records in the process…

TORONTO, ONTARIO – SEPTEMBER 17, 2008 – For those that believe in karma, fate, luck or just plain coincidence – it is noteworthy that as Hurricane “IKE” rolled into Ontario late Sunday afternoon, Cameron Morrison’s Honda race motor (also named “IKE” after the Southpark character) was firmly bolted to his Junior Lite kart as he prepared to defend his championship lead at the 6th and final round of the Brian Stewart Racing Karting Championship at Downsview Park. And for some added good karma, Cameron also returned to Downsview Park and Grand Prix Kartways for the first time since winning the indoor winter series championship there in the Penzoil Junior Race League earlier in 2008, setting the track’s lap record on Speed 2 in the process with a 21.845 second time.

With a 51 point lead in the BSRKC Junior Lite championship heading into Sunday’s final, Cameron needed only a top 5 finish to clinch the series championship – but knew he’d face intense competition from fellow drivers also vying for top spots in the series. After a poor qualifying round under wet track conditions, that left Cameron 7th of 9 drivers, Cam got to work in the pre-final working his way up into 3rd and setting up the start he wanted for the final, inside on row 2. Sticking to the pole position driver, a great start moved Cameron into P2 by turn 2, and a lap later he would grab the lead and hold it all the way to the checker. “The win put the exclamation mark on an unbelievable season for Cameron," said his father Mike. “In the 3 races Cameron won this year, he came from qualifying 8th, 9th, and 7th respectively in those events. He has shown an incredible ability to focus and prepare mentally, visualizing exactly what he needs to do and how the race needs to go for him to win.”

In clinching the 6 race BSRKC Junior Lite Championship, Cameron also set 5 Junior Lite class records in the process including:

Most Wins – 3
Most Podiums – 5
Most Points (before and after drops) – 593 / 548
Greatest Margin of Victory (after drops) – 66 points
Youngest Driver to win BSRKC Junior Lite Championship – 11 years of age

Still competing exclusively at club level in both the Novice and F1K Cadet classes less than one year ago where he won the Toronto Kart Club Novice Championship and placed 4th in F1K cadet, Cameron had set realistic expectations for his 2008 rookie season in Junior Light and Rotax Mini Max competition, and also for his rookie season in regional racing. With plans to participate in the full schedules for the Toronto Kart Club, Ontario Regional Karting Championship, Brian Stewart Racing Karting championship as well as The Canadian Nationals in Grand Mere Quebec, the main objective with 52 races on the schedule was seat time. “I’m very excited to have won this title considering my expectations for this season were to be in the top 5, given the number of talented drivers I would be running against,” said Cameron.

Intrepid Canada and Goodwood Kartsport team manager Marco Di Leo had nothing but good things to say about Cameron’s success this year. “I remember Cameron’s first year of racing so vividly because it was only 2 years ago when his career started, dominating the Canadian Rookie Karting Championship in the Youth division at Goodwood Kartways. Dan and I both knew this kid had a bright future. It was Cameron’s natural talent and determination that stood out to us then, and these characteristics are likely the reasons Cameron is able to dominate at higher levels of karting today. It was also Cameron’s father Mike’s hard work and passion for the sport that Dan and I both noticed that year especially when we helped him jam Cameron’s first kart into the back of his SUV. I knew that this combo was going to win at many high levels of karting. Cameron has proved our theory this year by competing and wining against drivers with twice the experience as him at the Regional levels. I feel so privileged to have Cameron racing on our team and with more experience and his continued determination I am excited to see what he will accomplish next with on our Intrepid karts.”

Adding to the weekend’s success was a win for Cameron in Rotax Mini Max on Saturday at Downsview Park. The win secured the 2nd place spot in the BSRKC Rotax Mini Max Championship for 2008, equaling Cameron’s performance in the Ontario Regional Karting Championship where he also secured the 2nd place spot in that series championship with a win at ORKC Race 5 in Innisfil just over a week ago.

Cameron now sets his sights on the final three Toronto Kart Club races of the season where he currently sits in 2nd in Junior Light points as well as 2nd in Rotax Mini Max. While not out of the running for the championship in those classes, the task at hand is large if he is to catch those leaders. Cam is looking forward to a break at the end of the season before heading south to contest the Rotax Mini Max class at the Florida Winter Tour. Cam is looking for great results this winter in Florida and will be setting high expectations for himself after his strong regional performances in Rotax Mini Max in Ontario.
Cameron and his family would like to extend a sincere thank you to his tuner and driving coach, Adam Kretschmer (who also tuned and coached last year’s BSRKC Junior Lite winner, Bryson Schutte – more karma?). Cameron would also like to thank Goodwood Kartways and Marco and Dan Di Leo for their support throughout the season and for the ultra competitive Rotax Mini Max package (Intrepid Maky/Falcone Rotax) and for his two-time championship winning Intrepid F4-K chassis in the BSRKC Jr. Light division in 2008, and TKC Novice in 2007 . A special thank you also goes out to Lon Herder (Awesome Engines) for delivering a fabulous Honda engine program for the team in 2008.

For more information on Cameron or for sponsorship opportunities please contact mike.morrison@rogers.com