By BRIAN WHITMORE

Cameron Abee can’t drive a car, but he can take the checkered flag.

Cameron, 8, a straight-A student at Monarch Elementary School, will race his ATV in the youth division at the Big Buck Grand National Cross Country race on Saturday in Cross Keys. He’ll drive his 2007 Polaris Outlaw 90, No. 888, in the Limited 90cc class.

Cameron started riding an ATV when he was 3 years old and began racing when he was 6 in the 70cc class — moving up to 90cc last year. This is his third year at Big Buck and first year racing full time, traveling to other races on the GNCC schedule.

“It’s been my dream since I was a kid to start racing,” said Cameron, who is very articulate for his age. “I like going out there and having a good time. It’s just a privilege going out there and racing. Some kids don’t get to do it.”

Cameron’s best finish was 9th at Georgia earlier this year and he placed 11th at North Carolina. Those finishes have him 10th in points for his class. Cameron’s best finish at Big Buck is 18th, but is looking for a top 5 this weekend.

“I don’t care if it’s muddy, dry or rainy, I like getting out there and showing what I’m made of,” said Cameron, who caught the racing bug after attending a GNCC race and rooting for his favorite driver — 9-time defending ATV champion Bill Ballance.

Cameron’s family is supportive. His father, Chris, serves as his crew chief. His mother, Nikki, is his biggest fan. Family and friends help Cameron get free when he’s stuck in the mud, and D&D Electrical provides sponsorship and bought his latest ride.

“I thank my parents, friends and sponsors for letting me do it,” he said. “They go down in the woods to watch me and get mud slung on them.”

The sport can be dangerous. Cameron hit a tree in Georgia, but it wasn’t a bad wreck and he recovered for the top 10. His worst spill was a practice crash in Gaffney. The start of the race is when most of the wrecks occur — it’s Cameron’s favorite part, but can make the family nervous.

Still, Chris Abee explains that GNCC is one of the safer forms of motor sports for children.

“It’s trail riding,” he said. “He’s done it since he was 3 and he can ride. He’s a good racer.”

Children from all over the world compete in GNCC racing. About 70 will start the youth race at 8 a.m. Saturday. Practice makes perfect and Cameron works on his skills at trails around his Union County home.

So could Cameron one day be a GNCC pro, earning a living racing and winning?

“Seeing these guys who do it for a living, I’m like, ‘if they can do it, I don’t know why I can’t do it,’” he said.