Cameron Shields is a race car driver who was awarded a Scholarship within the 2019 Sport Australia Hall of Fame Scholarship and Mentoring Program, and has been paired with baseball champion Graeme Lloyd as his Mentor.
Cameron was born in Toowoomba, Queensland, in 2000, and has had a passion for motor racing for as long as he can remember. In fact, he was flying around race tracks at over 250km/h before he could even apply for his learner’s permit.
Numerous broken bones and trips to hospital have never deterred Cameron, and he was soon invited to join the national Formula 3 circuit to race at very high speeds. In 2016, after only a short apprenticeship on the circuit, he became the youngest person to win a national Formula 3 championship and, in doing so, announced himself to the Australian and international racing fraternity.
Cameron continued to finish on the podium and won a CAMS Foundation Rising Star Scholarship in 2017, the same year he was named CAMS Australian Young Driver of the Year. In 2018, he finished second in the Australian Formula 3 Premier Series Championship, and the following year he collected more accolades. He won the Carb Night Classic Race at Indianapolis, USA, and won the award for Most Spirited Driver and Best Over-Take Award at the USF2000 in 2019.
Cameron is determined to reach more podiums in the future, and to stay involved with the sport which has allowed him to travel around the world.
“I really love the idea of mentoring athletes from different sports. I think it can open up a whole new facet or way of thinking that might not have been explored yet.” Lloyd said.
Cameron spoke about his Scholarship & Mentoring Program selection; “To be selected in one of Australia’s most prestigious scholarship programs is remarkable. The recognition I may receive from being a part of this program and the advice from my mentor, Graeme Lloyd will be invaluable for the progression of my racing career. This is the beginning of a new journey for me and it is one I cannot wait to embark on.”
CAMS CEO Eugene Arocca spoke about Cameron’s Scholarship selection, Shields was a worthy recipient of the scholarship.“Cameron gives motor sport his all and should be congratulated for being recognised with this scholarship. The Sport Australia Hall of Fame scholarship is a terrific opportunity for someone like Cameron who is showing tremendous skill whenever he races in the CAMS PAYCE Australian Formula 4 Championship.
Working with an athlete like Graeme Lloyd, who has competed in one of the biggest leagues in the world, including playing for the New York Yankees – one of the most iconic teams in the world – will be a terrific learning experience for Cameron and one that will certainly help him become the best driver and athlete he can be.” Arocca said.
Honours & Achievements
- 53 Race Wins
- 112 Podium Finishes
- 2016: Australian Formula 3 National Class Champion (Youngest Australian to win National Formula 3)
- 2017: CAMS Australian Young Driver of the Year
- 2017: CAMS Foundation Rising Star Scholarship
- 2017: Australian Formula 4 Championship – 3rd
- 2017: Australian Formula Ford Championship – 2nd
- 2018: Australian Formula 3 Premier Series Championship – 2nd
- 2019: Best Over-Take Award – USF2000
- 2019: Most Spirited Driver – USF2000
- 2019: Carb Night Classic Race Winner at Indianapolis (First race win ever in USF2000 for Newman Wachs Racing)
- 2019: Sport Australia Hall of Fame Scholarship & Mentoring Program Recipient (announced 2018)
- Mentored by 2x World Series Baseball Champion with the New York Yankees – Graeme Lloyd
- 2020: Driving for Legacy Autosport in the 2020 USF2000 Championship
- Working with Will Power and Charles Crews to establish a racing career in the US
You can be a part of this exciting journey with Cameron on the next step of his career on the Road to Indy. All donations over $2 are tax deductible. Donate and support a young Australian achieve his dream today: Donate Now
