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Chouet beach was a bit bleak and dull for Round-1 of the Guernsey Autocross Winter Championship :-(

But it was only windy and it remained dry. After the soaking wet Imperial Hillclimb yesterday I'll take that as a positive.

I've nearly completed the Imperial Hillclimb edit and the pics will be online soon. I think I got a few cracking shots. As always, it seems the most uncomfortable conditions will reward you with the most dramatic pics.

At least that is what I keep repeating to myself whilst the rain is trickling down my back!

My Autocross pics are now online here:
CLICK TO VIEW ROUND-1 OF THE WINTER AUTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP

This was only the second time that the GK&MC Imperial Hillclimb had been run... and what a contrast to the first time.

In 2017 it was a hot and sunny day (nice). The 2018 version was notable for torrential rain! I've learnt to never right-off any event simply because it gets a bit uncomfortable to take a few pics. Often they can be some of the most memorable of the season.

The disappointing side of the event was the greatly reduced number of competitors. Nearly half chose to stay in bed rather than risk doing damage to their racing kit. Understandably I guess.

However those who were a little more 'hard-core' had a busy and fun day of racing and very little damage was done... apart from going home wet through!

By now I'm sure everyone is dry and comfortable with the memory of a day that rewarded their endeavors.

Take a look through this gallery of pics to see if any are your favorites.
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE VERY WET IMPERIAL HILLCLIMB

This weekend has been another highlight of the year... but there was a dampener!

Saturday kicked off with a couple of Press jobs then I was off to the Vale Castle for the first day of a double-header of live music. Day one was the turn of Sound Guernsey to take over the main stage within the historic castle walls.

On Sunday it was the main event with the Vale Earth Fair taking its traditional spot. This was the dampener that I mentioned before as, sadly, the twelve hour Festival was wet for the majority of them!

But the hardy festival crowd still had great fun... with me among them. I took plenty pics and they will follow.

The extended Bank holiday weekend concluded (after a late start by me... maybe due to a few too many pints of real ale) with a Guernsey Motor Cycle & Car Club hillclimb at Le Val des Terres.

The hillclimb edit is the first one online. The pics can be viewed by following this link:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE BANK HOLIDAY HILLCLIMB

It was all reverse again for the 2018 Guernsey Motor Cycle and Car Club's Vale Castle Sprint as the track ran from St Sampsons harbour towards Bordeaux harbour this year.

I chatted to quite a few competitors and there seemed to be a general feeling that they enjoyed the track when raced the other way. However swapping things around offers more variety... and that's a good thing isn't it?

As a photographer I think I prefer the opposite direction too, but it's still to have the variety.

There were a couple of breaks in today's racing for crashes but things were sorted very professionally. However it was clear that bikers and cars don't come out as the winners when they 'do battle' with Guernsey granite walls!

My pics of the racing are now online here:
CLICK TO VIEW VALE CASTLE SPRINT PICS

Well actually it was a glorious day for many things last Saturday in Guernsey.

This summer just carries on giving us dry hot sunny days.

Now there could be a whole debate on whether the dry spell has gone on too long. Without doubt there are some 'casulties' but for the purpose of this Blog I'm going to reflect of the benefits.

The Rocquaine Regatta drew bigger crowds than normal and that was even with 'competition' from many other events including the 'Historic Harvesting' demonstrations. Then there were the obvious things like Cobo beach and Herm.

I spent the first part of the day at the Guernsey Kart & Motor Club Hillclimb up Le Val des Terres.

The racers enjoyed the conditions and three new records were recorded. It was also fantastic to see a new name feature on the FTD records as Tim Tulie drove his Empire 00 Evo to the top in 29.09sec which was also a new Class record. Well done Tim.

I've added the days pics to a new Gallery:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF THE GK&MC HILLCLIMB

A picture can't always tell the whole story.

Today, down on the Vazon Bay sands, I was capturing pics of Round-6 of the GMC&CC Sandracing Championship.

Take a look at the pics and you will see that it was yet another bright and sunny day... we've been spoilt by many of them this summer :-)

What my pics don't tell you is how windy it was on the beach. I even had to tie my hat on after it threatened to take to the skies!

But it was a warm wind and actually quite a pleasant change from the recent baking weather.

Whilst on the beach I took a photograph of the young riders who are about to travel to the mainland to partake in special training sessions helping them to develop the racing technique and confidence on their bikes. This investment in the youth of the Club should ensue that Sandracing in Guernsey is in safe hands.

You can view the pics of Round-6 by following this link:
TAKE A LOOK AT PICS OF ROUND-6 OF THE SANDRACING

The 2018 edition of the Guernsey Motorsport Seafront Sunday Festival was even more popular than the previous year!

Once again the St Peter Port seafront was closed to traffic allowing a huge display of all types of vehicles.

The entertainment spread along to the North Beach car park where a full day of motorsport action took place.

The weather played its part by encouraging thousands of people into town and the day provided a fantastic end to the 2018 MSA National Hillclimb weekend.

This gallery features some of the displays and entertainment...
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE 2018 MOTORSPORT SEAFRONT SUNDAY

That's another gallery update finished :-)

This time it features another two Rounds of the The Avon Tyres/Wynn Developments 2018 MSA British Hillclimb Championship.

Following my trip to Jersey to capture the action at the Bouley Bay rounds I headed home to capture the action at my local Rounds.... No's 21 and 22 at Le Val des Terres, Guernsey.

Once again local drivers split the pack of regular National competitors in the Top Twelve Run-Off. We certainly have a bunch of fast talent in Guernsey and always manage a couple of qualifiers.

This year was no exception and had a thrilling highlight when the (now legendary?) Darren Warwick took top spot on the podium in Round 21.

This was an incredible feat given that Darren uses such an old car compared to the cutting edge machinery on show.

However Darran's Moore Stephens Dallara F399 is clearly fast enough to take FTD when he drives it! Well done to him and all the other local racers.

My pics of the Guernsey National Rounds are now online here:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF THE 2018 GUERNSEY NATIONAL HILLCLIMB

I love July... that's the month, not the girl!

July is always such a busy month and this week is a fine example.

I've spent an entertaining couple of days in Jersey photographing their two rounds of the Avon Tyres/Wynn Developments MSA British Hillclimb Championship held at Bouley Bay.

The racing was as close as ever and us Channel Islanders should be proud of the success of our local racers.

Now I'm back in the office its been full speed ahead to complete the edit of my pics before the road-show takes to Le Val des Terres for the Guernsey rounds of the championship.

So the first of the pics are now online here:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE 2018 JERSEY ROUNDS OF THE NATIONAL HILLCLIMB CHAMPIONSHIP

As I near the end of a marathon edit of the Greenman Chaos Festival photographs I’ve had a lot of time to mull over my photographic life.

I am indeed very lucky. I work for myself. I’m busy enough to enable me to be a bit selective of the jobs that I take. I’m also able to fit a large chunk of ‘personal assignments’ into a year’s work.

My personal work mostly comes under the headlines of Music and Motorsport. These two subjects (I think) are really good fun and at times challenging to capture.

But, whilst spending many hours sorting, editing, uploading and linking the Chaos pics I’ve started to question what I do and why!

The thing is that it has taken a working week to capture, edit and upload my Chaos pics. Bear in mind that my working day is usually 12+ hours and a working week is six days long… that’s an underestimate!

I’ll let you do the maths.

What makes my previous comments worthy of consideration is that (referring back to my first line) my (only) job is as a photographer and as it’s my work I should be trying to make an income from it.

This is where things start to go wrong.

I know from conversations, the Internet and the viewing stats for my website that there is a fantastic interest in my pics. But ‘likes’ don’t pay bills!

So after a boring week editing pics (it’s only the taking that is exciting) I’m questioning why I should continue giving major coverage of these events. Can I justify taking the pics when it costs me so much in time for no gain?

It would be nice for good coverage of local events to continue…. But should it be by me?

The bottom line is that my interest in these events is sure to continue so I’m certain to still attend them and I fancy I’d find it hard NOT to take a few pics! But maybe it would be nice to leave the exit knowing that the job was done?

I’ve got a lot to think about.

So getting back to the important stuff. My Greenman Chaos edit is nearing the end and there is a massive Gallery of pics to look at…. Maybe you’ll even be tempted to buy a couple to help me justify the time and work?

Follow this link to view my pics:
CLICK TO VIEW THE 2018 GREENMAN CHAOS FESTIVAL PICS

You'd almost think that I've been on my hols when I tell you that I've spent the last two weekends beside the sea.

However I'm sorry to say that it was no holiday for me... but I'm certainly the lucky one as I get to spend time out in the sun, by the sea... and I get to call it 'WORK'!

This weekend it was time for the first two races in the Guernsey Powerboat Association's 2018 Series.

It was a shame (from a Photographers and Spectators point of view) that the first two races were 'doing what is says on the tin' - that is racing offshore! This meant seeing and photographing the action was quite limited as the course didn't come very close to shore.

Luckily, I'm told that other race weekends will use the more accessible Havelet and North Beach courses. That should help us follow the racing.

Whilst the first races were limiting in what I could capture it was still good to have this sport back on the agenda.

You can view my pics by looking at the new picture gallery:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE FIRST POWERBOAT RACES OF 2018

When the 2018 British Sand Ace Championship had to be cancelled due to problems with the Ferry timetable the Guernsey Motor Cycle & Car Club decided that they wouldn't give up on the idea of holding a special event on Vazon Beach.

The Club organized a full program of racing to replace the Sand Ace and still managed to attract a good entry of visiting competitors for the 2018 event which was titled as the 'Battle of the Beach'.

Sadly the Club failed to sort out a sunny afternoon and there was a heavy drizzle and wind for most of the meeting... but we still had fun and it was well worth all their efforts.

Whilst the reigning British Sand Ace Champion was unable to defend his title Paul Cooper still made the journey over to Guernsey for this special meeting and I fancy he would have been right at the front challenging for the 2018 title as he was on top form winning every race he entered.

Hopefully the Sand Ace will return in 2019 bigger and better than ever!

I've added a large Gallery of pictures featuring the 2018 Battle of the Beach. Follow this link to view the pics:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF THE 2018 BATTLE OF THE BEACH

It's taken a day to get there but the job is done.

My weekend was busy chasing around the Island completing a list of photo-shoots.

Once again the fun and enjoyment came from the variety of the work.

The shoots included the GK&MC Sprint meeting at Vazon coast road. A Bowls competition (The Sarnia Shield) Vale Rec v Guernsey Bowls Club at the Corbet Field. Saturday ended with too many beers at the Sound in the Market gig... followed by a bus trip and walk home. Yes, I slept well after a busy day (maybe it was the beer?) :-)

Sunday started too early for my hang-over with the Triathlon Super Sprint at Grande Rocque. After a quick edit of the previous work to meet the submission deadline I was off to the Vale Earth Fair fundraising Record Fair. Finally there was a chance to enjoy the fresh air (I needed it) whilst photographing the Living Streets walk in St Peters.

So ended another packed weekend...

These links take you to some of the Galleries:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF SOUND AT THE MARKET
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE VAZON SPRINT
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE TRIATHLON SUPER SPRINT
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE BOWLS SARNIA SHIELD

The Gallery updates are still coming at quite a pace....

I'm having to juggle my Commercial photoshoot work with the Sports and Events photography and having a busy Bank Holiday weekend has only made the backlog bigger!

But perseverance is usually the answer at these times. So I've devoted the day to catching up.

These are a couple of the new updates.

Firstly the Autocross Fun Meeting at Chouet... lots of pics to see.

Then there are pics of the GVC Summer Crit Series at Delancey Park... check 'em out too.
CLICK TO VIEW THE AUTOCROSS FUN MEETING PICS
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE SUMMER CRIT SERIES_ROUND-3

The Guernsey Triumph Motor Cycle Club with visiting friends from the England, Wales and Germany made an appearance at the GK&MC Hillclimb and rode in formation up Le Val des Terres.

There was almost more sparkle off the polished chrome than my camera could handle!

It's fantastic to see that this group are doing such a great job of keeping these historic British bikes on the road. The latest Triumphs were also on show offering a chance for spectators to see what the marque has offered through the decades.

I've added a Gallery of pics featuring the Triumph ride-out....
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE TRIUMPH RIDE-OUT

Maybe it was the sun? Maybe it was just me enjoying the Bank Holiday Motorsport?

There must have been a reason I captured many more action pics than a 'normal' hillclimb shoot... these galleries are BIG!

OK, I'll own up to why I was trigger happy for this event.... and it's a good excuse!

I've just started using my latest lens and it's always great fun trying to learn how to get the best images out of a new piece of kit. The new lens is the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 180-400mm f/4E TC1.4 FL ED VR. A big name for a big lens that is BIG on quality.

I've purchased it to replace my 200-400 f/4 VR which has proven to be one of my most used lenses for sports photography... it has even proven itself when photographing music festivals. Of course I've had to run the gauntlet of fellow photographers comments when using a big lens in the pit. You can guess the sort of thing... 'that's a big one you've got there, what are you compensating for?'

Maybe there's an element of truth there? But I'm not saying!

My first impressions of the 180-400mm after just half a dozen photo-shoots are very positive. I'll add a 'hands on' review when I've given the Nikon 180-400mm a real workout.

This gallery features many pics (more than a normal shoot) with many taken with the new lens at the Guernsey Kart & Motor Club Hillclimb up Le Val des Terres.

Please bear in mind that the pics in the gallery are very low web resolution (only 800 pixels wide) so they give NO idea of the detail of full size images. Lookout for the full review of the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 180-400mm f/4E TC1.4 FL ED VR for full-size files.

However if you are interested in how this coverage of a hillclimb turned out click this link to see the pics:
CLICK TO VIEW THE HILLCLIMB GALLERY INCLUDING NIKON 180-400mm PICS

Viewings of this website have hit the Speed of Light!

I'm not sure that a link can be made between web viewings and the speed of light but hey, this is my Blog so I'll do what I like, ha, ha!

Purists can e-mail complaints to CLICK HERE TO SEND YOUR COMMENTS if you think I've overstepped the obligation to be accurate and factual within the known laws of physics.

I imagine my wife will be among the first to pound the keyboard... and one of my sons will likely join in with the complainants. They seem to share a liking for correctness!

For the rest of you maybe you'll just go with the flow and allow me to use this unproven association as a way to describe the amazing speed that the latest ONE MILLION VIEWS have been added to this website.

Something special must have 'come together'... maybe the stars aligned in just the perfect way... for my fastest ever million new viewings to be recorded. These are the numbers... ONE MILLION VIEWS IN JUST 40 DAYS!

Sadly, my guess is that no scientist will bother trying to research how this event happened. That's a shame as I'd love to know so I could repeat it again and again!

So I'll just enjoy it this time as it might never be replicated.

Also, whilst I'm here, I'd like to say 'many thanks' to everyone who keeps coming back to look at my pics and say that you are now part of a previously unknown 'Law of Physics', ha, ha!

You can view a few old Blogs recording past MILLION MILESTONES here:
CLICK TO VIEW PREVIOUS MILLION MILESTONES

Motocross bikes have established an important role in keeping up the numbers at the GMC&CC Sandracing on Vazon beach.

The Solo Sliders class is now only just above being viable... four of five competitors barely makes a race. This is very sad as a full grid of Sliders would be the biggest draw for spectators.

Having said that, the MX riders are putting on a great show of close, competitive racing and with a class that now puts over a dozen bikes on the line the MX now take the headline spot for sheer entertainment.

Every sport goes through a periodic cycle when the following weakens and often with time that reverses. Hopefully that will be the case with the Solo Sliders. Maybe a few of the MX racers will make the step up to the hardcore class?

The Club has also invested a lot of time and attention in nurturing a couple of Cadet classes so hopefully that's the future sorted!

I was down on the Vazon sands on Saturday capturing pics of the Round-3 action.

The pics are here:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS ROUND-3 OF THE SANDRACING

Sunday morning started with a leisurely 400 metre swim, followed by an 8 mile cycle then a 2 mile run for good measure.... no problem!

Not for this photographer you understand! No, all that exercise was for the participants in Guernsey Triathlon's Novice event.

For me I had to motivate myself to just get out of bed for the early start. I'd still be under the covers if I'd had to face that physical challenge.

However, once I was at the start of the Novice event it turned out to be most enjoyable (watching others do the hard bit!) as it was a beautiful morning. I didn't see any of the triathletes regret having a go at the hard-core event so I imagine quite a few will add future events to their diaries. Some people really are strange, eh!

Once my work was done at Beau Sejour I made a quick visit back to the office to edit and submit my pics for publication then it was off to Chouet for the final round of the Autocross Club's Summer Championship.

All the pics are now online:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE NOVICE TRIATHLON
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE AUTOCROSS RACING

It was Horsepower all the way on Bank Holiday Monday.

My day started with petrol powered horsepower at the GMC&CC Hillclimb, Le Val des Terres. There was power to spare down in the pits as the competitors warmed up their machinery.

The conditions were near perfect for racing with the combination of hot tarmac and sticky rubber allowing full use the power as the racers made their noisy progress up the hill.

What a contrast it was in the afternoon.

I had to make an early exit from the 'Terres at lunchtime as the Guernsey Race Club were running five Horse races at L'Ancresse.

The sun had encouraged hundreds of spectators to the common and they were entertained by horsepower in its purest form.

I photographed the racing in my normal manner... by getting close to the action and I must confess that one horsepower in the form of a thoroughbred race horse is mighty impressive when you feel the wind as it passes at full gallop.

The pics of the mornings man-made power are now online. Tomorrow I'll upload pics of the real thing....
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE GMC&CC HILLCLIMB