Cammish: In It For The Long Haul

It’s difficult to stand out from the crowd at the best of times, particularly when not racing at the front for outright victories, but that’s precisely what Dan Cammish has managed in his first season in the hotly-contested British GT championship. The 25-year-old Yorkshireman, unbeaten in British Formula Ford last year with 24 consecutive wins, has quickly earned the respect of his new contemporaries and while the frustrating wait for a maiden podium finish goes on, he reminded everyone of his talents at Snetterton with fastest laps in both races to earn the Mobil 1 Driver of the Weekend Award. 

Cammish attacks the Spa-Francorchamps circuit in qualifying. (Credit: SRO Media)

Despite admitting that he would most probably have found himself in the BTCC this year had the funding been in place, Cammish is thoroughly enjoying the challenge and has his sights set on forging a long-term career in the discipline.

“Before I got into GTs I’d never really followed it that closely and I had no idea what it was really about, but people kept telling me how good the racing was and that you had to be in it to understand,” says Cammish. “And now that I’m here, I have to say it’s really fierce. You never stop racing with somebody, whether you’re overtaking someone or you’re being overtaken. The races are longer, sure, but it’s still flat-out, I don’t drive any less than 100% from the minute I get in to when I get out.

“I’m looking to be in GT3 next year, that’s the place I want to be. Ultimately if you can get in with a manufacturer and you can earn a living, then you’ve absolutely hit the jackpot there. If you’re good enough and I think I’m close, then maybe one day I’ll get my chance, but for now I’d like to go forwards with GT3 and see what we can do. I know that Barrie [Baxter, team-mate] has aspirations of moving forward in the sport and possibly into GT3, I’d love to sit alongside him and be there.”

Cammish with his Mobil 1 Driver of the Weekend
Award at Snetterton (Credit: SRO Media)

Any single-seater convert will tell you that their first experience of GT racing is something of a culture shock, and Cammish is no different. Learning to lose as little time as possible being lapped by the faster GT3 cars and far longer races than he is used to have given him plenty to think about, even before the prohibitive BOP-induced weight penalty and raised ride height (the two combining to wreak havoc with the tyres) are entered into the equation. Fortunately however, the low-downforce nature of his Team Parker Racing Porsche 911, reminiscent of his familiar Formula Ford, has helped ease the bedding in phase no end.

“Silverstone was by a mile the longest race I’ve ever done,” he confirms. “I’m used to maybe 25 minute races maximum, but now I’m doing a minimum of forty minutes and sometimes even longer. It’s been absolutely fine though, to be honest I was very comfortable from pretty much the first time I drove it. The Porsche is a good car to drive, it gives you plenty of confidence and we’ve gelled really well. I’m not used to a lot of downforce, it just feels like a bigger Formula Ford really, a bit harder to stop but still some good mechanical grip. The biggest thing is the heat; they’re not physical cars to drive, but after more than ten minutes it’s like being sat in a sauna, especially when you’re in the sun!”

But Cammish knows that crucially, success can’t come from him alone. The Pro-Am nature of British GT demands that he work closely with team-mate Barrie Baxter in search of time and greater consistency, for while Cammish is a worthy match for any of his GT4 rivals, it is often the variation between amateur drivers that can decide a race. Cammish is pleased with GT newcomer Baxter’s progress so far, but knows there is still more work to do to get closer to that elusive podium finish.

Cammish enjoyed the Silverstone 300, "by a mile the
longest race I’ve ever done”. (Credit: SRO Media) 

“It’s a big change because in single-seaters you’re the only driver, so the team work for you and you work for yourself,” he says. “You’re so used to it being all about you for all these years, whether it’s been in karting or in single-seaters, but in GTs it’s much more of a team game. I’ve got a team-mate that I’ve got to help and I spend a lot more of my time helping him than I do on myself to find half a tenth here or half a tenth there.

“I’m comfortable in where I’m at and how I can perform. I’ve been around for quite a while; this is my sixth season in car racing, so I’m not really a rookie!”

Cammish will be on his own once again when he returns to the BTCC support bill in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB at Brands Hatch later in the year, but the age old problem – money – means he has no further plans beyond his existing GT4 schedule.

“The only thing stopping myself and thousands of other drivers is the funding. I’d love to be in lots of places but unfortunately it all comes down to funding, so you’ve just got to pick your way through the minefield and see where you end up. But I’m still going, so I’ve done something right!”

Will Davison on Cammish

(Credit: Will Davison)

V8 Supercar star Will Davison worked closely with Cammish during the Shannons Supercar Showdown TV show which aired in Australia last year and the Erebus Mercedes AMG driver believes the Englishman has all the right credentials to make it big in the sport if he continues to work hard and maximise the opportunities that come his way.

“Yes, he did impress me,” Davison told the Motorsport Journal. “I was only with him a short amount of time but he’s a guy that applies himself well and he has the right mental approach out of the car too.

“He’s a very polite, relaxed, well-educated young man, with a good sense of humour. He achieved some awesome things in British Formula Ford, but he’s still hungry, keen to learn and open to new opportunities.”