Dane Cameron is on cloud nine after what he calls a “really incredible” year for AO Racing in the fiercely competitive LMP2 category. This season has been nothing short of a rollercoaster, culminating in a thrilling victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, where he and co-driver PJ Hyett dominated their class. The duo also claimed multiple titles, solidifying their supremacy in the sport.
Cameron, who made a strategic move to AO Racing from Porsche Penske Motorsport, where he enjoyed a successful stint highlighted by an IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GTP title, has been pivotal in steering AO Racing to remarkable heights. Together with Hyett, they clinched the WeatherTech Championship LMP2 title following a nail-biting finale at the Motul Petit Le Mans last month. Just a week later, they were back in the winner’s circle, alongside Louis Deletraz, capturing the LMP2 Pro-Am championship in the European Le Mans Series with an AO by TF-run Oreca 07 Gibson.
Reflecting on the season, Cameron expressed a mix of disbelief and pride. “You go into these projects thinking that both can win but you don’t necessarily expect to get both; that seems a bit unrealistic or a bit greedy,” he told Sportscar365. The emotional toll of racing was palpable as he recounted the team’s struggles in the first half of the year, where bad luck and mechanical failures plagued their efforts. However, the tide turned, and the team found its groove, leading to an impressive run of victories. “The things just really dropped into place, and you get one, and you get another,” he noted.
Cameron’s triumphs this year mark his record-extending fifth WeatherTech Championship title, a testament to his enduring talent and determination. He lauded Hyett’s transformation into a formidable competitor, especially after their breakthrough win at Le Mans, which ignited a series of victories at both the European Le Mans Series event in Imola and the prestigious WeatherTech Championship LMP2 round at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. “Once you get one, you’ll get more and it will come to you,” Cameron assured Hyett before their summer surge, which saw them consistently stacking points and gaining momentum.
As they gear up for next season, Cameron remains optimistic. The core driver lineup will remain intact as they aim for glory in the key endurance races of the IMSA calendar, including the iconic Rolex 24 and the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring. “That’s where we fell short a little bit was for sure the endurance rounds [in IMSA],” Cameron admitted, emphasizing the importance of these marquee victories for Hyett. “We want to do that and win the championship again,” he asserted, highlighting the team’s ambition to build on their successful foundation.
Cameron is confident that their enhanced familiarity with each other and the car will provide a significant advantage as they tackle the endurance challenges ahead. “Now that we’re on the second year for everybody, in a stable environment, it gives us a better opportunity to have some continuity to jump off of and really attack a bit harder in the enduros,” he explained. With their sights firmly set on those elusive trophies, the future looks bright for AO Racing, and fans can expect nothing less than a fierce pursuit of excellence in the upcoming season.
