News / Blog - Motorsport News

As the National Hillclimb Championship is now in its forty-third year it will be difficult, if not impossible, to find anyone to give me the definitive answer to the following question:

Were the 2016 Jersey rounds of the National Championship the best ever run up Bouley Bay hill?

The reason I ask that question is that so many 'right' things all came together on the fourteenth of July 2016.

The drivers were on top form and their cars were perfectly prepared.

The weather was near perfect... dry, warm and sunny.

The competition was 'hot' meaning the top competitors had to really push hard to achieve maximum championship points.

All these factors led to the outright hill record being smashed three times in consecutive runs as the racing came to the boil.

My memories don't go back to the first Bouley Bay National but I will be able to state that I was there... close to the action... on that legendary day in July 2016.

If you managed to miss all the excitement you can take a look at my pics. They don't give you the smells and noise that 'live' Motorsport offers but at least they will remain as a record of a great day when the competition hit the highest level.

By the way, if you (or anyone you know) wants to tell me about an even better day at Bouley Bay I'd love to hear your stories.

Please contact me here:
EMAIL A FEW WORDS IF YOU THINK THERE HAS BEEN A BETTER NATIONAL AT BOULEY BAY

Follow this link to view my pics of the 2016 Jersey National Rounds:
CLICK TO DECIDE IF THIS WAS THE BEST EVER JERSEY HILLCLIMB

Rounds 21 and 22 of the Avon Tyres - TTC Group 43rd Guernsey National Hillclimb Championship were held at Le Val des Terres on 16th July 2016 in what was the first true heatwave of the year.

After the multiple new records in Jersey just a couple of days earlier hopes were high for the Guernsey rounds but maybe the conditions were just a bit too 'good' as the cars don't reach their highest performance in such heat. This could well be why the outright record wasn't lowered this year... although it was close.

The highlight for all Guernsey motorsport fans was when Darren Warwick took an impressive second place in both run offs achieving a PB along the way. His performance was enjoyed by a large crowd of spectators who also had the chance to support the other local drivers who made the top twelve cut.

Each one of these competitors put in fantastic performances to go head to head with the very best drivers and cars on the National Hillclimb scene. So congratulations go to Darren Warwick, Nick Saunders, Chris Guille and Paul Le Messurier... you raised the Guernsey flag and once again made a local mark on this competitive championship.

I've added galleries featuring all the action and a few extra pics of the people and podiums.

Click on this link to take a look at all the pics...
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE GUERNSEY NATIONAL HILLCLIMB

Last Sunday Soapbox racing hit St Peter Port roads at speed, literally in some cases, and I think it might become a fixture in the Guernsey calendar after so many people turned out to enjoy the fun... and ACTION... and there was PLENTY of that!!

Sunday was the first (of many I hope) Rubis Soapbox Challenge's through the streets of St Peter Port. As the sun came out so did hundreds of people to view nearly forty home-made Soapboxes take on the jumps, chicane's and bends.

The quality of builds varied from basic to brilliant. The speeds varied from tortoise to terrifying. The launches over the jumps varied from tiny to triumphant!

Now, if you're a regular visitor to guernseymotorsport.com you might be surprised that I've found room for a gallery which doesn't feature any motors, or noise and not much speed :-(

However the lack of all those things didn't stop the great action, the crashes, the red-haze and the competitiveness.

So there you have the reason I have given such big coverage in the latest picture gallery... Soapbox racing ticks all the right boxes in my mind :-)

You can view a full gallery of pics (no less than 267) here:
CLICK TO VIEW A GALLERY FEATURING ALL THE SOAPBOX ACTION

After a really grotty week of weather that messed up most of my planned work I was more than pleased to see the sun shining for Saturday's Motorsport fun :-)

As I headed to Vazon Bay for Round-5 of the Sandracing Championship I couldn't hide the broad smile on my face... I needed a break from the days of editing pics in my small office.

So my spirit is re-kindled after enjoying a few natural rays... and whilst energized I have also completed a speedy edit of my Sandracing pics which are already online. It's amazing what effect a few sun rays can have on your spirit :-)

The pics can be viewed here:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF ROUND-5 OF THE SANDRACING CHAMPIONSHIP

Early on Saturday and Sunday morning as the sun rose over the misty airport I was very snugly tucked up in a sleeping bag in the back of my studio van parked in a clifftop field at Pleinmont.

Both the previous nights had been loud, heavy and just a little boozy. That's what the Greenman Chaos Festival is all about isn't it? Tradition has it that I stay on-site so I don't miss any part of the fun :-)

I had enjoyed a really good nights sleep when the phone alarm went off to remind me that two more rounds of the Stanley Gibbons GPA Powerboat Championship were about to start on the other side of the Island outside St Peter Port harbour.

If I'm honest, both mornings I just wanted to roll over for a few more hours recuperation but experience has shown me that once the sun rises the back of a black van becomes very hot very quickly... the comfort soon disappears!

So that was the motivation to get up, complete a few quick freshen-up tasks then head across the Island to photograph the Powerboat racing. Also it hadn't been missed that a couple of hours of fresh sea air would set me up for the return to Chaos later :-)

It was all worth the effort and I've just added two new Galleries of pictures displaying my time spent capturing the action... as the seaside breeze worked its wonders.
CLICK TO VIEW RACES 3 & 4 OF THE GPA POWERBOAT CHAMPIONSHIP

I've been able to make an interesting comparison over the last two weekends. This was between the equivalent Jersey & Guernsey Sprint meetings.

It was the Jersey version that I photographed first. This was purely by chance as I only found out that it was on after picking up my media pass for Jersey Folklore Festival. The Jersey Sprint happens to be run just along the road from the Festival site.

I knew as soon as I came across the closed road what was likely to be happening and naturally I didn't want to miss the chance to photograph the event for the first time. Luckily for me the Clerk of the Course recognized me as an Accredited MSA photographer and I was allowed access on to the course. :-) Thanks.

I enjoyed a couple of hours shooting and came away with two impressions.

Firstly, the access given to the public in Jersey is so distant that they really can't get a 'feel' for the speed of competitors. Maybe that accounts for the low number of spectators there?

Secondly, there was a very small number of competitors. These were predominantly bikes. Where were the cars? The cars that did race were mostly road cars! :-(

So it was easy to make a comparison to the Guernsey Kart & Motor Club's Sprint just a week later.

Immediately it was obvious that there was a lot more interesting 'kit' on show. Everything from an exotic McLaren 675 LT to Dallara single seaters to custom-made Sprint Honda Fireblades to Mallocks and Westfields.... and lots of bikes too!

Then the other dramatic difference was the proximity that spectators are able to get to the 100mph+ racers. In Guernsey it is maybe three meters... Jersey perhaps twenty?

It makes a huge difference when you can literally feel the turbulence from a racing car as it punches its way through the air on a fast run. You also hear and 'feel' the noise. That's what Motorsport is all about :-)

So in this case I think it is a clear win for Guernsey ;-)

I've just added pics of the GK&MC Sprint to my Galleries. This is the first up as I needed to complete an edit for the Guernsey Press. My pics of the Jersey Sprint will follow....
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE GUERSEY SPRINT


The Gallery featuring the Jersey Motor Cycle & Light Car Club Sprint has now been added. Check-out the pics here:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE PICS OF THE GMC&LCC SPRINT

After a very frustrating day I think we are getting back to normal service :-)

I try to keep this site as easy to navigate and responsive as possible as there is nothing that will lose the interest of visitors quicker than slow viewing.

This is quite a challenge as the number of pictures and galleries continues to grow.

Of course the speed and reliability of the servers that host this website are essential to continued service. And from what I understand about these things (not much in my case) it was the Data Centre which caused the recent drop in service.

But we are back again :-)

So I've continued the Hillclimb updates with a new gallery featuring the Bikes. Take a look here:
VIEW THE LATEST HILLCLIMB BIKE GALLERY

I'm sorry that this website has been completely down for a large part of the day and when the technical issues were identified it eventually re-appeared but in a VERY SLOW form :-(

This was all out of my control and my website administrator has been working hard to return things to 'normal service'.

The whole event is VERY frustrating but Photium... the web admin that I use, have a very, very good record of reliability and are extremely quick to respond to problems. Indeed they come with my full recommendations.

But sometimes these things are out of all our control and patience and understanding is all we can ask for.

I'd be feeling a little bit pleased if the 10,000+ daily views that this website gets had bought the internet down but I can't make that claim to fame!!

Please bear with us while we get things back up to full speed.... thanks.

UPDATE: The website has returned to normal and speedy service. I would like say a big thank-you to the Photium team for keeping me up-to-date with the problems... which were out of their control. These things happen but thankfully are extremely rare!

Andrew :-)

The Inter Island Kart Championship proved to be exciting and entertaining for the large number of spectators who lining the track. They were treated to fantastic close racing on the newly re-surfaced and extended 'Track' at Victoria Avenue.

Tarmac Services had completed the job in time to allow the running of the Inter Island competition on the new layout which proved to offer extra overtaking opportunities. This promises to maintain the interest of drivers... and maybe even tempt a few to return to the sport?

The majority of the days racing was of a high standard showcasing the talent from our two Islands. Only a rather poor incident near the end tarnished what was a well run, exciting and competitive meeting.

Oh, and to top-off the historic day..... Guernsey won the trophy :-)

Afterwards I spoke to many of the local and visiting Jersey drivers and support teams and the overwhelming feeling was that the event was a great success and is a 'grower'. Bring on 2017!

Channel Island Karting is going to be the ultimate winner.
:-)

I've added a gallery featuring the Inter Island Kart Championship...
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF THE INTER ISLAND KARTING

Well, after yesterdays complaining about the fog, things got a little better for today's second Powerboat race.

This time the sun showed up and suddenly there was far more life in the whole event.

There was still a smaller entry than we had been promised but that is sure to be sorted as I know that several extra boats are having the final touches and tweaks done ready for next months race weekend.

Powerboating certainly seems to interest people enough for them to line the harbour walls to enjoy the spectacle.

It must also be the best incentive to photographers to invest in a long lens or two... the telephotos were out in force. It makes an alternative from taking pics of birds, eh :-)

I've added a gallery featuring pics of Race-2. I think you'll agree that a bit of sun helps the colours 'zing' :-)

Follow this link to view the galleris:
VIEW PICS OF RACE-2 OF THE POWERBOAT CHAMPIONSHIP

The Guernsey Powerboat Association Stanley Gibbons Race Series kicked off with a slightly disappointing first race today.

There were a couple of factors in this.

Firstly.... and nothing much could be done about this, it was foggy... where was the sun to make the sea blue and the boats sparkle and shine? Maybe tomorrows second race in the series will be treated to a brighter day?

Perhaps it's only the photographers who even care about the dull light anyway?

The other factor which surely was more under the control of man was the small turn-out of boats. This years championship had been heralded as 'bigger and better' with next years World Championships in our local waters generating more interest from competitors.

But, on the first day, it seems that many boats and their owners weren't even ready to get out on the water. I find it strange that when there are only about twelve races on the calendar and after making a huge commitment in time and money over the winter months that there were so many no-shows!

I know that some absentees were down to unexpected reliability issues or the late delivery of parts but we must hope that the promise of a 'best ever' race championship gets going next month in the second weekend of the championship.

I managed to capture a few pictures of the racing. Take a look at the gallery here:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE STANLEY GIBBONS 2016 POWERBOAT CHAMPIONSHIP

If you like a bit of noise and action (and FUN) when you visit the beach then a highlight of your year must be the Annual Autocross Fun Meeting at Chouet.

2016 was a vintage year for the Bangers with a monster entry including a good contingent visitng from Jersey. It was also quite nice for Guernsey to win at least one Annual Inter-Insular sports event this year! Well done to the winning Guernsey Banger team :-)

However, for once, the racers didn't take to the sands with the one intention of beating all-comers.

No. On this one day it seems that the 'red-haze' is left in the tool box and everyone decides that fun is the new top step of the podium :-)

So with more 'smilies' than is healthy I announce that the Autocross Fun Meeting pics are now online.....

:-) :-) ;-)
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE BANGER FUN MEETING PICS :-)

There was just one single thing missing from the 2016 Condor Ferries SandAce ACU British Championships on Vazon beach last Saturday... the sun!

However once the racing started no-one even noticed the damp. There was far too much excitement and entertainment to be seen on the Vazon Bay sands to think about the discomfort!

The line-up of competitors was an International affair with quality and experience running down through the entry.

But it was an 18-year-old from Bristol who took the 500cc Solo title ahead of all the rest. The three times world youth grasstrack Champion Zach Wajtknecht showed that he can also master the difficult conditions offered by a very wet beach. Zach now has another major title to his name.

The 1000cc Sidecars were also a big reason the crowd stuck-it-out in the miserable weather as the riders didn't seem to slow their speed even though there was enough surface water to create aqua-planing. The effect of all this water being lifted into huge plumes behind the racers made for a spectacular sight.

The worthy winners in this class were father and son team, Rod and Billy Winterburn, who won all four heats before going on to be crowned British SandAce 1000cc Sidecar Champions.

Once again the SandAce Championship was a highlight of the Guernsey and Channel Island Motorsport year.

I'm already looking forward to (a dry one) next year ;-)

Full coverage of the SandAce is now featured in a huge gallery:
CLICK TO VIEW ALL THE 2016 SANDACE GALLERIES

On the eve of Guernsey's celebration of our Liberation Day I was down on the sands of Chouet beach capturing the Autocross action.

Whilst waiting between races I considered how different things would have been if the British... with a little help from our allies! had not won the war.

Guernsey, with our fellow Channel Islands, were the only British soil that the Natzi's managed to take control of. The legacy that remains is to be seen all around our coastline in the form of the concrete bunkers.

But what I reflected on was the freedom that was returned to Guernseymen when the Allied forces liberated the Island allowing the slow return to the 'normality' of day-to-day life.

Part of that 'life' included the simple pleasure of once again having unrestricted access to our beautiful sandy beaches that play such a large part in all our lives. They are exposed twice a day as an area for play, contemplation, sunbathing, fishing and all sorts of fun.

Autocross racing comes under the 'fun' category!

So the day before our Liberation Day there were quite a few flags to be seen as Guernseymen and Guernsey ladies enjoyed the freedom of the sands whilst taking part in a long established Guernsey Motorsport... Autocross Banger Racing.

Thankfully today we are at peace in Europe and friends with Germany. We even think that that can make pretty good cars! And there's nothing a Guernseyman enjoys more than revving and racing a car along our open sands.... it's good to be free.

I've added my pics of the Liberation eve Autocross meeting to a new gallery here:
CLICK TO VIEW THE EVE OF LIBERATION DAY AUTOCROSS PICS

With just two weeks to go before the Sand Racing highlight of 2016 we were treated to near perfect conditions on Vazon beach yesterday.

The Condor Ferries SandAce - ACU British Championships has established itself at a National and International level and is one of the jewels in the Guernsey and Channel Island Motorsport crown.

Whatever the weather we are given on 21st of May on the broad sands of Vazon beach we can be sure that the racing action will be of the highest quality.

However I think you will agree with me that spending time on any beach is enhanced by warmth and sunshine. Yesterday ticked all the boxes. I have my fingers and lenses crossed for the 'big one'... make sure you join me too!

The pics from Round-3 are now online if you want to check-out what makes beach racing so good....
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE SANDRACING_ROUND-3

It wasn't only the racers who had new kit to play with on Bank Holiday Monday at Le Val des Terres.... read on :-)

I also had a few things to tune up and learn about. I was trying to explore the improved performance on offer too!

As a Nikon Professional Services (NPS) registered photographer I have a chance to 'jump the queue' and get delivery of new bodies and lenses from the first delivery made :-)

In this case the smillie face = a very happy chappie!

So, after a couple of special deliveries, I was off to the first Hillclimb I'd shot with the latest combination of a Nikon D5, a Nikon D500 and the 200-500 zoom lens.

I can only say that I was very impressed!

Whilst it appears that the sensor technology isn't improving that much with each update - in fact maybe taking a step back in some parameters - there is a sense of 'maturity' in the design and handling of these two new bodies. For example the addition of a dedicated ISO button... a tiny change but ever so useful. :-) That deserves another smillie!

The headline new feature that Nikon has developed has to be the new Autofocus system that is used on both the D5 and D500. Whilst I'm still learning how to make the best of it I think it shows a real step forward.

One other thing that I hadn't expected was the difference there is between shooting a full-frame D5 and the 'cropped' sensor on the D500. I hadn't used an APS-C format camera since the D300 which I sold several years ago. The focus point coverage on the 'C' sensor is almost edge to edge... very useful.

But perhaps the most surprising thing I noticed when editing the shoot was how much easier and more 'forgiving' the cropped sensor is when it comes to your shooting technique. Full frame exposes poor technique much quicker.... is that why we pro's like it so much. We like to make things difficult for ourselves, don't we!

I'll expand on what I mean by the 'less forgiving full-frame' in a review when I will compare my Nikon D5 to the Nikon D500. Check back later if you are interested. A Blog will be added as soon as I've worked on a wider variety of shoots including more low-light gigs.

For now though, you can check-out the complete Hillclimb gallery of pics here:
CLICK TO VIEW THE LATEST HILLCLIMB PICS

Round-2 of the Guernsey Kart & Motor Club's Summer Kart Championship was held today. We were actually treated to weather that could pass as summer too... very nice.

However it wasn't the weather that was significant about this particular race meeting. It was the fact that the circuit, in its current layout and surface, was being used for last time before its re-development.

There is a sense of anticipation, excitement and hope in the pits that the racing will be improved by the changes. Time will answer that question.

On thing is certain though. That is that the record book will be re-written. It is going to be interesting to see which names are first on the new record list.

I'm looking forward to trying a few new angles to take my pics. Let's hope that both the racers and the 'togs are satisfied by the changes!

The last pics of the old Track are now online here:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FINAL KARTING PICS

My weekend included a trio of sporting events.

First up was the latest round of the 2016 Sand Racing championship. The racing on Vazon beach is already building up towards this years Sand Ace meeting which promises to be bigger and better than ever. Make a diary date for 21st of May... this one is not to be missed!

Then Saturday night was spent ring-side at St Pierre Park Hotel photographing the Dinner Boxing. Both these galleries are already online.

The latest update is for the Autocross Club Banger Championship.

This meeting was something of an historic one with Ozzy Ozanne making an all-time record when he one his 26th Championship!

This is a remarkable achievement. It could be interpreted, when you see how dominate he has been for so many years, that he has had things easy with little competition.

However, this is far from the truth. Ozzy has faced stiff, experienced and talented challengers over all the years and has proven that he has all that it takes to be a great champion.

He undoubtedly has driving skills but you need the complete package to put together such a long run of wins. These include selecting the best wheels, preparing and maintaining a reliable car - to finish first, first you've got to finish. Then Ozzy also knows how to do just enough to win - saving his car to return another day.

We can reckon that this record could last forever. It will certainly need someone special to break it! Whoever fancies taking a crack at it had better not be too old as even if they were to win every championship from now on it would take them thirteen and a half years to beat Ozzy!!

That's if Ozzy doesn't have any more wins in him.... or maybe he's now run out of space for all those trophies?

I've added pics of the racing to a new gallery:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF THE HISTORIC AUTOCROSS RACE

This should be the shortest Blog ever.....

It's not that I don't have things to say, it's just that I don't have the time :-)

The weekend was a 'normal' one... lots of photography!

But the time pressure is down to the Guernsey General Election on Wednesday. I will be chasing around the Island covering 'the action!!!' for the Guernsey Press.

When I chat to the guys in the pub most of them don't get my interest and excitement about the election of our new States members. But I really enjoy it... even going as far as visiting four of the other District's Hustings!

There is often drama and emotion as the candidates find out if they are successful... or failures. I'll be trying to tell the story in pictures.

But before all that I've added a gallery featuring Saturday's Sand Racing. Follow the link to view the pics:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF SAND RACING RACE-2

Now I guess many of us got the mower out of the shed this weekend as the weather was nice and bright and dry.

Luckily I had managed to find time during the week to cut my own lawns... and very smart they look too :-)

This meant I had the opportunity to capture another use of a lawn mower. You didn't think they were only good for cutting grass, did you?

No, men still being boys at heart can find other uses for a ride-on mower. It's just a case of taking off the sharp 'cutting bits' and you are ready for the action.

Of coarse a few go-faster stripes always help! Oh, and why not add a bike engine for a few more horses?

Even after investing in a few stick-on stripes Mower racing can be a really cheap way to go racing and 'smiles-per-pound' it probably can't be beat.

Today I photographed the GK&MC Mower race meeting that took place on a section of the Motocross track at Pleinmont. I think this Motorsport is a grower :-)

Check the Gallery for all the action:
CLICK TO VIEW THE LATEST MOWER RACING PICS