Dominant Dawson scoops young rider of the year accolade

CAMERON Dawson was named Adelaide Irish Young Motorcyclist of the Year last week.

The 17-year-old Killyman lad was the dominant force in the British Junior Supersport Championship in 2021, winning the title after a stunning season on his MSS Performance Kawasaki.

And although Cameron was a little disappointed not to receive his award at the gala dinner alongside overall victor, Jonathan Rea, he now has extra motivation to claim it again next year!

“I worked hard for it. I really wanted to get it and while it would have been better to get it on the night, what can you do? I’ll just have to try to get it again this year!,” he exclaimed.

Dawson showed his pace in the Junior Supersport Championship in 2020, just missing out on a place in the top three overall, but in 2021 he was a man on a mission.

After claiming two second placed finishes at the opening round at Silverstone, no-one got near him over the next six race weekends during which he won seven of 10 races and was second in two of those to win the title with 10 points to spare over Ash Barnes.

And while he went into the season quietly confident of success, he was a little surprised by how quickly it came together in 2021.

“We won at the second round, which was unexpected and then from there I had a confidence boost and I won more and more and kept on building,” he admitted.

“This is probably the best year we’ve probably had in our whole career and hopefully we can build from that.”

To build on his championship title last year, Dawson will need to make his mark in the Pirelli National Junior Superstock Championship during which he will be up against 38 other riders, including Omagh’s Jamie Lyons and Aughnacloy’s Andrew Smyth on 600cc machinery.

And Dawson has already showed his mettle on the bigger bike, winning Cup races and challenge Pro competitors in last season’s Ulster Championship during the odd free race weekend he had.

However, he knows it’s going to be a challenging season but with MSS Performance behind him once more he knows he has the chance to excel once more.

“It’s going to be hard, but the winner is going to be the one who has the knowledge of the bike, which we obviously don’t have just yet,” he added,

“It’s going to be the same as the 400s, your first lap will be so important, as will qualifying. And my qualifying last year was much better, so hopefully that improves again.

“I have the team behind me so I know the bike will be right and I know I have it in me and the bike has it in it, so there’s no reason why I can’t be challenging for points and for the top 10.

“When you put your mind to it and you know you have the package you can do anything.”