INTERVIEW
P80
MOTOAMERICA SUPERSPORT RACER CAMERON PETERSEN
BY ANDREA WILSON
PHOTOGRAPHY BY COREY COULTER
T
he mission statement of the new
U.S. road racing champion-
ship—MotoAmerica—is to develop
young American road racers for the
World Championship. The by-product
of that happens to be that that the se-
ries also draws talent from elsewhere,
which can be the best for everyone.
One of those new foreign additions
to the championship is South African
Cameron Petersen, who has spent the
majority of his rookie MotoAmerica sea-
son flying under the radar.
With one round left to go in the se-
ries at New Jersey Motorsports Park,
Petersen has made steady progress
with a new team, a new champion-
ship, new tracks and in a new country.
Ultimately, though, motorcycles and
motorcycle racing is an international
language. It translates well.
Born in Spain, South African bred.
The 20 year old comes from a racing
pedigree—his father Robbie made a
name for himself here in the U.S., and
overseas.
Like most racers, he started young.
"I started riding when I was three
and I think I had my first race when I
was four," Petersen said. "I pretty much
raced dirt bikes up until I was 16. I was
always focused on wanting to be the
next motocross champion."
So although road racing was part of
the family business, it wasn't Petersen's
original intent.
"I never wanted to do road racing,"
he said. "I was so focused on moto-
cross. My whole career my dad wanted
WE TALK WITH ONE OF MOTOAMERICA'S RISING YOUNG
TALENTS–CAMERON PETERSEN–ABOUT THE LEARNING
CURVE AND MAKING PROGRESS HERE IN THE STATES
Out Of
A F R I C A
