Cameron Hill at the Matt Stone Racing team base at Albert Park. Photo: Cameron Hill Facebook.
It’s a tough sport, especially in your first year. Decisions are made in a split second at high speed, but Cameron Hill gives the impression he wouldn’t have it any other way.
Two rounds into his debut season in the Supercars, 26-year-old Cameron is learning quickly just how fierce the contest is at this level.
It’s highly competitive to get a drive in the first place with only 25 drivers getting a start this season, including three rookies graduating from the Super2 series.
Cameron Hill competing at Albert Park in the second round of the 2023 Supercars. Photo: Cameron Hill Facebook.
Alongside Cameron, Matthew Payne and Declan Fraser are debut Supercar drivers.
The 25-strong field features Camaros and Ford Mustangs. Cameron, driving for the Matt Stone Racing team, is in a Camaro, replacing Todd Hazelwood this season.
The highlight so far for Cameron has been a 15th place in the second race at Albert Park in Melbourne, beating several big names in the process.
“The competition is seriously tough,” says Cameron.
“It’s exactly what I thought it would be. It’s been a lot of fun, but I don’t feel out of place.”
What started as a boyhood dream to become a full-time professional driver is now very much a reality as he mixes it with an elite group of drivers.
It hasn’t been easy reaching this point, though.
Cutting his teeth in karting at 10, through to winning the 2015 Formula Ford series, to success in the 2021 Porsche Carrera Cup and the 2022 Bathurst 6 Hour have all led to this point.
Last year’s Bathurst 6 Hour victory was definitely a career highlight so far.
Cameron and co-driver Thomas Sargent started from 63rd on the grid before making their way through the field to win the race.
Cameron Hill competing in the Bathurst 1000. Photo: Supplied.
There was also a start in the Bathurst 1000 in 2022 for PremiAir Racing, which along with the Dunlop Super 2 series, allowed Cameron time to showcase his abilities to potential Supercar teams.
It resulted in the full-time driving contract with Matt Stone Racing this year.
That lengthy apprenticeship is starting to pay dividends, as evidenced by his performance in Melbourne.
“I’m learning a lot every time I race. I need to improve my qualifying speed to ensure I start in a decent position on the grid.”
In the wake of the second round in Melbourne, the focus now turns to the third round in Perth later this month.
It has been a tough initiation thus far, but Cameron says he wouldn’t have it any other way.
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