Fergus Cameron helped save Phillip Island from fading into history, becoming a driving force behind the circuit’s revival and its enduring place in Australian motorcycle racing.
Fergus Cameron, the Phillip Island farmer who bought a major landholding on the island with some business partners in 1984, then realised it was part of Australia’s motorsport heritage, has died at age 78 after a long illness.
AMCN believes his conversion to believing that the Island circuit was worth conserving makes him a significant figure in Australian motorcycling’s history.
Cameron and his original investors were key to ex-Adelaide F1 track designer Bob Barnard redeveloping the circuit to host the World GP round of 1989.
His long-term involvement in the circuit, lasting for many years after it was sold to the Fox family’s Linfox Property Group, saw the growth of major events. Especially for motorcycle fans, this includes the annual Island Classic, which for many years had the International Challenge as its headline act involving current, upcoming and retired world champions. Together with long-mourned AMCN editor Ken Wootton, Cameron realised the importance of making this iconic circuit a focus to a wide range of motorcycle racing enthusiasts.
As part of AMCN‘s special preview issue of the Island hosting its last MotoGP round, we have a major feature on the circuit’s history.
Author Jim Scaysbrook quotes Cameron in this feature on his realisation where his journey from farmer to motorsport started: “Everywhere I went, particularly in Melbourne, I was constantly hearing people talk about the circuit and identifying the property with the circuit. That made me realise the history and the legacy of what we had.”
Rest in peace, Fergus Cameron
