Green Speed Karting

GreenSpeed 2009 Driver Spotlight: Cameron Morrison

Rookie Cameron Morrison caps off a storybook season in Junior Rotax.

With a kart number to match his age and weighing in at only 95 lbs., Cameron Morrison is arguably karting's equivalent of "The Little Engine that could." In the famous children's tale a long train must be pulled over a high mountain. Various larger engines are asked to pull the train; for various reasons they refuse. The request is sent to a small engine, who agrees to try. The engine succeeds in pulling the train over the mountain while repeating its motto: "I-think-I-can".

As the youngest, smallest; lightest and among the least tenured drivers in BSRKC Rotax competition this season, the 12-year-old Morrison was coached regularly on using 2009 as a learning season. Having launched his successful karting career only 2 seasons prior, contesting both Novice and F1K Cadet with the Toronto Kart Club and moving up quickly to Junior Light and Minimax in season 2 while adding BSRKC regional action to the mix - Cameron’s rookie Junior Rotax season had the potential to be humbling for the Pickering youngster...but the words kept creeping into his head...I think I can.

Entering the 2009 BSRKC season, Cameron had only two weeks total seat time with Junior Rotax power, and was also aboard a brand new Tony Kart Racer EVR chassis. Confidence wasn't exactly oozing out of the trailer. The GreenSpeed team approach was to get a race under Cams' belt and work on perfecting the new chassis set up for a driver of Cam's size. Cameron was a mid pack runner in that event just holding his own and taking it all in. In the following weeks the team was able to get in a few club races before Brian Stewart race 2 action. When Cam was able to avoid all of the on track incidents that plagued Junior Rotax race two, and move up into a 3rd place podium finish - that’s when the switch got turned on.

"Every year I have raced, I have managed to do what no one expected me to" smiled Cameron. "Confidence is such a huge part of racing success. In a split second where you need make that decision, confident drivers make it while more hesitant drivers sit back. Watch any of the best racers...they all have skill, but its confidence that lets them succeed amongst other skilled drivers".

The change in Cameron was definitely noticed by Cameron’s father and GreenSpeed team owner Mike Morrison. "You could see a whole change in Cameron's demeanor after that race" said Morrison. "I think he quickly figured out that he had the smarts and skills to run with this class and even if he was outmatched in terms of size, and experience - the important thing was that he didn’t race like he was outmatched, he raced like he had every right to be there. There were actually whispers in the paddock this season that “certain drivers” had moved up too soon and perhaps didn’t belong in Junior Rotax. I think that just motivated Cameron even more" noted Morrison.

In the next four series races, supported by his teammates and GreenSpeed tuners Cameron managed to grab two more podiums with 2nd and 3rd place finishes in Shannonville and Kawartha, adding a solid 5th at Mosport after narrowly missing grabbing the pole in qualifying. Despite the unfortunate DNF in Waterloo, Cam’s series performance was worthy of a top three championship points finish on the season. His BSRKC points tally combined with an 8th place finish at the Canadian Nationals also earned him a ranking by eKartingnews.ca as 4th best in the country in 2009 and top Junior Rotax rookie.

Cameron's short but storied karting career includes a 2007 TKC Novice Championship in his rookie karting season as well as a 2008 Brian Stewart Championship in his 2nd season in karting and rookie year in Junior Light. Adding to those championships Cam also scored runner up championship points finishes in both 2008 Ontario regional events securing the 2nd place spots in both BSRKC and Ontario Regional Karting Championship as a Mini Max rookie.

Cameron would like to thank the GreenSpeed team drivers for all their support over the season as well as team tuners, Leonard D'arrigo, Mike Roth and Aaron de Heus for all having a hand in providing great collaborative support this season. Next up for Cameron will be Florida Winter Tour action where he will once again have to step up his game. For more information on GreenSpeed Karting, including how to become a team driver, as well as Florida Winter Tour programs, or to attend the team’s open house on November 7th – please contact Mike Morrison at 416-569-6453 or info@greenspeedkarting.com.