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Cameron claims Darwin as Mawson seals title deal at Hidden Valley
AARON CAMERON has claimed the final round of the 2022 S5000 Australian Drivers’ Championship at Hidden Valley, while Joey Mawson etched his name into the record books as a back-to-back Gold Star winner.
Cameron led from lights to flag in the 20-lap season finale’ in Darwin to claim consecutive rounds in what was a fruitful part-time S5000 campaign this season.
RESULTS: Race 3
He won the round over Versa Motorsport pair Cooper Webster and a fast-finishing Jordan Boys.
The final race of the year included drama for several title contenders with Joey Mawson and Tim Macrow both non-finishers.
Mawson and Herne had gone side-by-side into turn six on the opening lap of the race, with the pair interlocking wheels and slowing up.
Macrow had nowhere to go and drilled the back of Mawson’s car forcing both out.
While Mawson had the championship already sealed, the incident had more significant implications for Macrow who tumbled from second to fourth in the championship – behind James Golding and Cooper Webster.
Mawson’s second consecutive crown made him just the ninth driver to successfully defend an Australian Drivers’ Championship and the first to do it since Simon Wills in 1999-2000 – all in the 60th Gold Star season.
It was also the eighth title for Adelaide-based Team BRM, a record for Gold Star competition having now broken the record of 7 titles won by the legendary Birrana Racing stable.
JOEY MAWSON – 2022 S5000 Australian Drivers’ Champion
“It feels amazing. We had one objective this season which was to go back to back,” Mawson said.
“We’ve had a few up and downs this season, we didn’t start out on the best foot in Tasmania in that incident with Sladey, and we had to play catch up from there
“It hasn’t sunk in, it’s more relief. I’m sure after we celebrate with the team it will sink in more.
“To be a part of history is amazing, it means a lot to me, especially being able to do iot here in my own country. It’s very special to have my mum and dad and a few friends here. I can’t believe it’s happened again and I can’t wait for it to properly sink in.
“I remember going into the Grand Prix weekend, Mark Rundle my team boss told me, this weekend is going to make or break the championship. With all the extra cars we were either going to win a lot of points or lose them. We had to make sure we were on it.
“That was my best weekend to date in the S5000 championship and it really paid off there.
“The Gold Star, you’re in the history books. It’s very special. My end goal is to end in Supercars and I hope these two championships put me forward towards that goal. I’m taking it all in and going to enjoy it and then focus on what the future holds.
“To make history together with Team BRM is fantastic. I have to thank those boys, particularly in Tasmania when they kept me in the championship hunt by getting me on the grid in the main race. I have to thank my supporters, ALABAR, Form 700, the Podium group who have gave me a career to get to this point, my mum and dad and my partners.