Where Courtney thinks Cameron must improve in rookie campaign
Aaron Cameron "as good as any" of rising stars, says James Courtney
Courtney says tempering first lap aggression is next big step for Cameron
Rookie showed impressive pace in Townsville, qualifying 13th twice
Tempering first lap aggression is the next big step Aaron Cameron can make to make his presence felt in Supercars, says James Courtney.
Thrust into the main game in Melbourne after the abrupt exit of Aaron Love, Cameron has made strides since joining Blanchard Racing Team in March.
The Victorian showed his speediest hand yet in Townsville, qualifying 13th, 13th and 19th for the three races.
However, he ended the weekend with finishes of 23rd, 17th and 19th, and tangled with teammate Courtney in the opening stages of the Friday sprint.
Speaking after the weekend's action, Courtney was impressed by the steps taken at Reid Park by his young teammate, and suggests he could be a force once he better manages opening stages of races.
"It's just the first lap stuff. It's a big step, the main game from Super2," Courtney said post-race.
"It's that hustle, and just being aware of not racing the car in front of you at that point.
"At the start, you're looking five cars ahead, three cars behind, and having to paint such a bigger picture than you have to do in Super2 because there's not as much aggression.
"It's just that spatial awareness, which he's now getting his head around. I said to him, if you say to me halfway through the first lap, what's a car four behind and three in front, I'll be able to tell you who it was.
"He is getting his head around it. He's got plenty of speed. He's a great young talent. You saw with Kai Allen, it clicked at Darwin. We've just got to get the car and the team to a point where that can happen for Aaron.
"He's as good as any of those guys. It's just as a team we've gotta give him the tool to do it."
Cameron is in the frame to remain with the team in its post-Courtney era in 2026. BRT, along with Matt Stone Racing, Brad Jones Racing, Team 18, PremiAir Racing and Erebus Motorsport, have at least one seat unconfirmed for next season.
For now, team co-owner Tim Blanchard says BRT needs to capitalise on speed and confidence to get rewards, given Courtney missed out on a top five in Townsville due to an engine failure.
"Aaron Cameron took a massive step forward,” Blanchard said in a Ford performance release.
"He qualified well and was much more competitive in the races. He’s driving really well at the moment.
"If you look at Perth, Darwin and Townsville we’ve been strong at times over the weekends. So we have a fair bit of confidence that we’re heading in the right direction.
"We just need to make sure we execute properly to get a reward from it.”
