The CAMS Foundation has today confirmed its four Rising Star drivers to participate in the 2018 CAMS Jayco Australian Formula 4 Championship.
 

The four recipients will each receive a $50,000 scholarship to form part of their Australian Formula 4 budget in 2018. 
 

With strong results in 2017, Queenslanders Cameron Shields and Ryan Suhle have been dually rewarded with a second season representing the Rising Star program.
 

Shields was within striking range of championship contention until the final round of 2017, and Suhle claimed a dominant win as the Burson Auto Parts Rookie of the Year.
 

The CAMS Foundation welcomes two new Rising Stars with Josh Smith and Lachlan Hughes selected into the four-driver programme.
 

CAMS Foundation Chairman Valentina Stojanovska today welcomed the drivers to the prestigious club of Australian racing drivers.
 

“The CAMS Foundation has a proud history of supporting Australia’s best drivers, and we’re excited with the calibre of our four drivers in 2018,” Stojanovska said.
 

“They are in stellar company with the likes of Daniel Ricciardo, Will Power, James Courtney, among others, to have been supported by the CAMS Foundation.”
 

CAMS Foundation Director Mark Skaife OAM added that the four drivers have demonstrated natural talent deserving of substantial support at this early stage of their professional careers.
 

“The CAMS Foundation Board was impressed with Cameron Shields and Ryan Suhle’s performances in 2017 and we certainly believe they’re on the right track to become champions in the future,” Skaife said.
 

“Likewise, Josh Smith and Lachie Hughes are at the beginning of very bright careers. We’re excited to see these two drivers grow as Rising Stars.
 

“Australia is very fortunate to have an abundance of youngsters rising through the junior ranks.”
 

The first round of the 2018 CAMS Jayco Australian Formula 4 Championship is set to take place in April, supporting the Supercars at Symmons Plains in Tasmania.

2018 CAMS Foundation Rising Stars


Cameron Shields
2017 CAMS Jayco Australian Formula 4 Championship – 3rd

“Being a part of the CAMS Rising Star Program in 2017 allowed me to gain valuable experiences and meet new people. I am excited and proud to be announced as a 2018 CAMS Rising Star as it will allow me to continue chasing my dreams as a professional racing driver by providing me with many opportunities,” Shields said.

Josh Smith
2017 Victorian Kart Championship – 1st (KA3 Junior)

“Being named a CAMS Rising Star means a lot to me. I obviously want to have a career as a race driver, so for CAMS to help me get started is a really great thing. I started racing go-karts when I was eight and have always been very passionate about the sport. I’m really grateful for this opportunity and really excited to get the season underway,” Smith said.

Lachlan Hughes
2017 Australian Kart Championship – 2nd (KA2)

“It is an honour to be selected as one of the 2018 CAMS Rookie Rising Stars. This is great recognition and reward for all the hard work and results we achieved over the past few years in Karting and I couldn’t have achieved this without a great team at Patrizicorse,” Hughes said.

Ryan Suhle
2017 CAMS Jayco Australian Formula 4 Championship – 4th (Rookie of the Year)

“Last year’s Rising Star program provided me with some incredible off track experiences and activities, such as at the Australian GP. These additional activities really helped me build my media confidence and abilities leading through the. Overall I’m just so excited to be selected again to be a part of the CAMS Foundation Rising Star program,” Suhle said.