News / Blog - Motorsport News

Another week, another Motocross meeting.

Some serious work had been carried out on the track and the riders were offered a much improved surface to race on. Even the rain behaved itself by only making an appearance after midday. Things were looking up!

It was good to see Channel Television attending the Motocross to film some of the action. I look forward to their race report? I think! (see below).

Luckily for me I think the camera crew had left before I had my very own 'comedy moment'.
In fact I think I was fortunate that it happened in a blind spot for most of the spectators.... saving my blushes :-)

I was exploring a few new angles and wondered over to try a new viewpoint that has been made after the removal of some of the mud. I climbed the mound... it was firm and sure enough the new angle worked. Maybe a couple of feet to the left would be better? ....BAD ERROR!
First one welly boot disappeared... then the other. I was completely stuck in soft mud, and still sinking!

I was now wishing that I was in view of someone who could come to my rescue. I began to wonder whether I would only be found sometime next summer, only identifiable by the cameras still hanging around the skeleton's neck?
There was a moment of panic.... and after a few minutes (it seemed like much longer) I had struggled out with very muddy socks, muddy jeans, muddy cameras... oh and a broken nail - although I'm sure that isn't the worst injury ever incurred on an MX track :-)
In case you were wondering, the welly boots were eventually retrieved!

It was time for home and a shower and relief that I probably won't make an appearance on Channel TV's Sports Report or You've been Framed. Fingers crossed!
By the way, I want a 50% cut of the £250 you get from You've been Framed if you got a video....
Or better still, I'll give you £500 to delete it!

Racing pics (only) are now online:
VIEW THE LATEST MOTO-X PICTURES

I have mentioned before that I sometimes wonder where my 'photographers eye' has got too!

I spent a very pleasant day on Sunday in the rural parish of Castel, at the D'Os D'Ane to be precise. It was reasonably warm but the nicest feature was that it remained dry and bright.... something that has been missing for weeks, it seems.

My time was spent climbing up and down steep grassy and slippery banks in pursuit of the GMC&CC Trials bike riders. I made a point of visiting the Junior event in the morning which combines with the Vetrans & Classic riders. Once again there was a really friendly atmosphere.

Returning to my first comment. As I noted above, the day was bright... the lighting was great. All around were the rich and golden colours of Autumn. They were crying out to be captured in some wonderful landscape scene... and I only managed to point the lens at the Trials competitors. I hope they know what I give up to give them a few more pics to look at ;-)

I'm not complaining though. What a wonderful way to spend a November day.

Pictures of the latest Trials are now online. Click the 'Buy Now' button to complete my perfect day!
VIEW THE LATEST TRIALS PICTURES

I don't want to loose your attention this early in a Blog.... but I'd like to suggest we do a few 'sums'. So get the calculator ready!

Many of you buy a few of your favourite pics from me and thanks for that :-) What you do with them isn't really my business but I would love to think they took pride of place somewhere - even if it is on the Loo wall!

My guess is that many prints end up in a draw, creased and damaged. This shouldn't really bother me.
After all I've taken your money by then ;-)

But of course if you decide that money spent on a print is money wasted..... then that is a SERIOUS problem to me. You might not buy another print - EVER!

So time to get the calculator out. What if you bought 5 x A4 sized prints at £8 each. Total = £40.
This is no problem if the pics are kept in an Album, but it's too much to chuck in a draw.

Now for my 'hard sell'. Remember I was a retailer in a previous life!

Why don't you consider having a MONTAGE custom designed. The most popular format is using 5 pictures. Have you made the link yet? What you will get is an impressive and unique picture that will deserve a place on display.... it would even brighten up the Loo if that is the only wall space available.

Out with the calculator again... an A2 sized MONTAGE will cost you just £55. That is just fifteen quid more than the prints at the bottom of the draw. BARGAIN is what I say!

Best of all is that I can supply the MONTAGE already framed CHECK THE FRAMING OPTIONS HERE.
I buy the FRAMES direct from the manufacturer and pass on the LOW PRICES to encourage sales.
Add a BLACK BRUSHED SATIN FRAME to your order for JUST £35.

Christmas is coming.... I hope I have sown the seed for a few gift ideas....
CHECK OUT THE FRAMING OPTIONS HERE
and
HERE ARE A FEW SAMPLE MONTAGES

The previous Motocross Championship race was cancelled due to the unride-able track condition... because of MUD!

With this in mind I guess there was a fair amount of pressure to run the racing last Saturday. Unfortunately it has probably rained every day of the two week break!! So the riders and officials were faced with a very muddy track again.

After making the best effort to reduce the surface water the racing began but it soon became clear that the bike wheels were doing a fantastic job of 'churning' the track into a real MUD BATH. No exageration here either. Wellington boots were disappearing.... but I don't think we lost any Marshalls or Riders!

The smaller, lower powered bikes simply couldn't negotiate the conditions so the track had to be re-routed for them. The senior riders managed a little better but there were many 'slow-motion offs'. The meeting will not go down as one of the memorable ones for me as there were so many disruptions. But of course they were unavoidable.

Hopefully we will have a dry spell before the next race so we can enjoy improved conditions next time. Fingers crossed :-)
Pics are now online:
MUD, MUD & MORE MUD

My Website has suffered from the exceptional weather conditions in New York.... Small world isn't it!!!

The Main Servers for this Website are based right in the path of Hurricane Sandy. This has resulted in recurring power cuts and the drop of service. If you have attempted to view the Galleries during the last couple of days you might have found that you couldn't get a response.

I have just been informed that the services are now back to normal (perhaps still be a bit slow) but all the options, including the purchase of prints should now be working.

This is the first time my Website provider has dropped the service... and I think I will forgive them this time due to circumstances outside of their control ;-)

By the way, nice to see you back again!!! Check-out the news items below to see the latest updates.

I have been tied to the keyboard and monitors today editing the weekends photoshoots.... and I'm getting there!

Where 'there' is I'm not too sure! However the latest step has been the update to the Autocross Banger Racing Galleries.

Sunday saw the Bangers reappearance on the beach at Chouet. The wind must have been pretty brutal as there was an unusual lack of spectators lining the perfect viewing spots above the track. It is usual to see people wrapped up against the elements under rugs with flasks of hot tea - just so they can enjoy the fun and spills... where were they on Sunday?

If you missed your regular visit to Chouet for the Banger racing you might like to take a look at the new Gallery:
TAKE A LOOK AT THE LATEST BANGER RACING PICS

It was another windy and chilly day. And it was another of the Guernsey Motor Sport Clubs running a different Class of the Sport.

Like Saturday's Sprint Championships at Vazon, Sunday's offering was also on Guernsey's exposed western coastline. This time on the Port Soif sections of the GMC&CC Bike Trials.

This Round of the Championship featured a lot of sections laid out over the unforgiving rocks and boulders of the west coast beaches. I photographed on three or four of these sections and it was clear that many riders were really challenged by the hard and uneven routes. A brave commitment has to be shown when traversing tight sections over rocks as any fall is going to hurt!

I was really pleased with my coverage of Sunday's meeting. I haven't 'shot' beach sections for a while so they have widened my documenting of the 2012 Championship. I have also made an effort to capture a few more general views of the sections.

The picture Gallery is now online. You are welcome to 'Share' your favourite pics using the buttons below each pic.
VIEW PICS OF THE PORT SOIF TRIALS SECTIONS

The wind, she blows, eh!

Sorry, I dropped into 'Guern mode' for a moment there ;-)

But that is a pretty good description of conditions down at Vazon on Saturday. OK it wasn't quite as draughty as Hurricane Sandy - but donning the thermals was the best idea I had all day.

Racing wise I think everything was good. It was dry and 'cool' and the strong wind was right up the 'backside' of the racers (if you know what I mean). Inevitably records were broken.

I was pretty busy over the weekend so look-out for Gallery updates over the next few days.

First up are the Guernsey Kart & Motor Club Sprint Championship pictures from Vazon Coast Road:
VIEW PICS OF THE FINAL SPRINT MEETING OF 2012

A new option to display your pictures has been added to my Gallery Shopping Cart....

I am often asked if I can frame prints for clients. I've always been reluctant as the options are so vast!

However, there is NO doubt that a beautifully framed print looks a MILLION times better than one that is left in an Album.... or worse still put at the bottom of a draw. I have cried after seeing the condition that some of my pics have ended up in :-(

The answer to this problem has really got me excited!!

After months of research and examining samples I have decided to add a FRAMED PRINT option to the Shopping Cart.

I am keeping things simple - but nothing has been compromised with the quality of the finished article.

Only one colour and finish is offered. I have tried many variations but always this was the most impressive. The frame is approx 30mm wide and is finished with a BLACK BRUSHED SATIN effect. It is supplied 'Ready to Hang' and the Print is protected behind Glass.

There are options to frame A2, A3 & A4 prints.

The smaller A3 & A4 sizes are presented with a hand cut BEVEL MOUNT. A truly classic look.

The Larger A2 sized PRINTS, DIGITAL PAINTINGS & POSTERS are the ultimate way to add impact to any wall. Each of the A2 options are individually prepared and feature distintive artistic touches. The DIGITAL PAINTINGS look amazing.
A few SAMPLES can be viewed here: TAKE A LOOK AT SAMPLE MONTAGES & DIGITAL PAINTINGS

I am buying the Frames directly from a UK based Manufacturer which allows me to offer exceptional value for such a high class product. I am passing on the savings that I have made by purchasing in bulk to encourage you to choose the FRAMED PRINT option.

Everyone is a winner... you get great value and I have the satisfaction of knowing that my pics are displayed in the most impresive way :-)

When you see these Framed Prints - especially the larger sizes - you will understand why I am so excited by this new offering.

For more information on these and the other the products I offer click here:
VIEW DETAILS OF ALL THE OPTIONS AND PRINTS SIZES
or
CLICK HERE TO VIEW ALL THE PICTURE GALLERIES

What makes a great photograph?

I haven't even started this blog and I know it is a bad idea... a REALLY bad idea.
There will never be a definitive answer to the question! But this is as I see it.

Of course there are many different (and memorable) styles of photography. When you combine this with an infinite amount of photographic subjects every person will have their own idea of what makes a 'GREAT PHOTOGRAPH'.

The only thing I can offer is my own point of view, and of course this is very personal. Inevitably I am going to be influenced by the choice of subject that I like to capture.

I'll say right at the start of this ramble that, even if I was backed into a corner under threat of serious pain, I still couldn't find a single picture of my own that I would offer as 'something really special'. The bar has been set very high by the truly great photographers.

However, this doesn't prevent me - nor should it prevent any of you - from trying to record the special moments that you enjoy.

This blog was inspired after I began sorting through a few old galleries. This made me consider what makes a successful shoot, or at least a shoot that achieved the result I was hoping for.

Much of my work as a professional photographer isn't about capturing a single great shot. My assignments often cover Events, Gigs, Sports and Commercial shoots that have to be recorded over a period of time. I am expected to capture the atmosphere, the special moments, the climax. My pictures are often seen as a collection and should give the viewer a true and descriptive presentation of a performance or occasion.
The challenge is to give the viewer memorable images of an experience they had been part of, or to show another person what they have missed.

You will see that I shoot a lot of gigs. These are a good example of how I approach my work. I will try to record a Bands stage performance in such a way that flicking through a Gallery the viewer should have a better understanding of the 'essence' of a Band's act.

But as I have already said, GREAT pictures don't come along too often. In fact if you are still waiting for me to tell you what makes a GREAT PHOTOGRAPH. Sorry, I can't!
You didn't think I was that talented, did you?
If I do discover the formula for guaranteed success I will bottle it.... I'll make a fortune ;-)

What I do know is that by putting in the time and effort and by being very 'self critical', slowly it is possible to develop your skills and your eye for a good pic. I try to practice what I preach and continue in the the pursuit of that illusive GREAT PHOTOGRAPH :-)

I offer a Gallery of pictures that you might like to take a look at.... but don't expect to see any GREAT pics yet. I'm still working on that!

The Gallery features a Band that I really enjoy. Elmer Henley are energetic and good to photograph.
If you take away a 'feel' for their stage performance after scrolling quickly though the pics I will consider the job 'well done'.
Follow my lead, grab your camera and start on the path to capturing better images... maybe even a GREAT PHOTOGRAPH one day!
TAKE A LOOK, DO YOU GET A FEEL FOR THIS BANDS PERFORMANCE?

Yesterday Motor Sport re-visited Petit Bot valley for the second time in as many weeks.

A lot was different though. The organising Club was different, the Category of Motor Sport was different, I think every competitor was different and the weather conditions were certainly VERY different.... it was sunny and dry this time!

The few things that were exactly the same were the enthusiasm and commitment shown by all the riders and officials taking part. The atmosphere on the sections is always very friendly and you have to enjoy seeing the support offered to every rider - whatever their standard. There is a feeling of 'common interest' in this skillful sport with several 'retired' riders now Marshalling. It is also nice to see that there are a few new faces taking part.

One of the difficulties for me in giving good coverage to the Bike Trials is its timing early on a Sunday afternoon. My Family (children and granchildren) often join Carol and me for a family Sunday lunch.
I am very fortunate that Carol allows me to pursue my photography 'un-hindered' (she's one in a million), however I am pushing my luck sometimes when I disappear out of the back door before helping with the washing up!

I managed to sneak out yesterday though :-)

A new Gallery of pictures featuring the Bike Trials at Petit Bot have now been added. Taking pics definitely beats washing up!
VIEW PICS OF THE BIKE TRIALS AT PETIT BOT

I'm not too great on superlatives it seems!

A 'three letter' 'WOW' seems a bit weak for the latest statistic showing viewings on this Web-site.

But there you have it. That was the first word I uttered when the counter passed THREE MILLION VIEWINGS!

Previous landmarks were also special to me. The FIRST MILLION was passed literaly on the Anniversary of the first year online. I was astounded by that coincidence.

TWO MILLION VIEWINGS showed up in May this year. This started me wondering if 3,000,000 viewings could be reached before the first two years online..... and we have just made it with nine days to go :-)

I'd like to thank all of you for the continued - and growing - interest in my work. I feel very lucky to call photography my 'proper job'. I speak to so many talented and enthusiastic photographers who would love to change places (and camera kit!) with me.

So passing the 3,000,000 viewings deserves to be analysed a little. This breaks down to 2,000,000 in the last 51 weeks.
Google Analytics shows that the vast majority of viewings are from European Countries/Time Zones.

With most of the viewings being made during 18 of the 24 hours available we can do some sums!

18 Hours x 60 Mins = 1,080 Mins a Day
1,080 Mins x 7 Days = 7,560 Mins a Week
7,560 x 51 Weeks = 385,560 Mins of viewing time to go from 1,000,000 to 3,000,000

So now a simple division reveals the average number of viewings that occurred every minute for every hour for the last 51 weeks....

2,000,000 divided by 385,560 = 5.18

The resulting number (as if you are really going to be as interested as me :-) shows this:

EVERY MINUTE FOR THE LAST 51 WEEKS (on average) FIVE PICTURES WERE VIEWED.

Meaning EVERY TWELVE SECONDS A PICTURE IS VIEWED.... and of course peak viewing would be much higher as this is just an average. WOW! ...... here I go again :-)

Looking ahead I have much more modest ambitions. I really can't see any possibility of improving on 2,000,000 annual viewings so I will consider that doing the same again as a job well done :-)

If you find a few minutes now and then to pop along here to check-out the latest updates I will be a happy man.
Thanks
Andrew
READ ABOUT THE FIRST MILLION
READ ABOUT THE SECOND MILLION

The 2012 Hill Climb season ended on a rather grey day.... it was pretty miserable!

This is not a comment that would apply to the standard of racing, however.

It was clear right from the start that we were in for a full day of the wet stuff and quite a number of drivers and riders never made it to the start line. Perhaps this was a little disappointing, but who can blame them. Petit Bot hill is very tight in places, suprisingly fast and even in a good (dry) year never offers the best grip due to its setting in a tree-lined and damp valley.

The positive of having a smaller field of competitors was that things ran through very fast and smoothly and the predicted (OK, I was wrong!) continual stopping the retrieve cars out of banks never really happened! Those who made the effort enjoyed a day of fun and speed that will have to keep them going until next year :-)

Spending a day standing in the rain taking pictures is not really my ideal 'day job' but occasionally you get the reward of some special pics. The reflections on the wet road surface and the addition of the spray adds a bit of drama. Trying to keep very expensive cameras and lenses dry(ish) is a real pain in the whatsit. My lenses were continually fogged up and I gave up on the 70-200mm when even the inside of the filter fogged over! Modern professional equipment is made to superb standards but there is always the worry that the water will do damage and the kit will fail you on an important job.

However, a few hours later - after a quick dry-out and check-over - the cameras were back on duty with me in another sweaty environment. This time it was for the Album launch party of Tantale's new recording. The cameras didn't skip a beat, phew! Thanks to the guys for my copy of the CD. I've already played it a few times and can recommend you find a copy. Pics of the Tantale gig will follow shortly.

In the meantime the Petit Bot pics are now online:
PICTURES OF PETIT BOT 2012

You can almost be certain that rolls will be on the menu when the Banger Racing serves up its entertainment on Chouet beach!

When the meeting is timed to start at midday (think lunchtime) it was just a case of waiting for the action :-) I managed to miss the first roll which happened whilst I was facing in the opposite direction. The resulting scene suggested that in this case Goliath had the upper hand over David. A little Peugeot should never mess with the might of a Volvo estate! HOW GOLIATH GOT HIS OWN BACK ON DAVID

My luck, however, was better for the biggest roll of the day. Having earned a place in the Race of Firsts it all went wrong for Billy Le Page when he rolled his car whilst pushing hard through the chicane. He seemed to have successfully negotiated the bend when his car suddenly launched itself. I managed to capture a sequence of shots but as I was using a telephoto lens at the time the results are a bit tightly cropped.

I didn't think Billy would do it again for me so I could make a better job of the pics..... so I didn't ask :-)

A new Gallery of Autocross pics is now online:
LUNCHTIME ROLLS ON THE BEACH AT CHOUET

Vazon sands welcomed three visiting bike (slider) riders from Jersey... in perfect conditions for the early start.

The big tides meant a morning start and an opportunity to run a massive track. There was early disappointment for Anthony Queripel when he blew his engine and this deprived us of seeing him go head to head with the visitors.

But we were still treated to some great racing for Round-9 of the Guernsey Motor Cycle & Car Club Sand Racing Championships. It makes so much difference when a decent size entry signs in.

I have selected, developed and uploaded the pics in record time as I still have a busy weekend ahead. Take a look of the pics here:
ROUND-9 OF THE SAND RACING CHAMPIONSHIP

The Guernsey Kart & Motor Club held their annual 2-Day Motocross meeting at Pleinmont last weekend.

Now lets be honest, the conditions were varied to say the least!
The Saturday was windy and the track was very dry... the dust was of Sahara standards!
Sunday was rainy... by Amazonian standards! So the riders were challenged by varied conditions!

The new layout of the Motocross track seems to be slower... and this directly translates to safer racing. Of course, there will always be an occasional crash, but there seem to be less stops for 'hospital runs'.

The other side of these changes is that it makes a photographers job that bit more challenging. Since the alterations I have struggled to find good viewpoints to photograph the action. Somehow the dynamics have changed. So there is a new challemge for me. I like challenges:-)

Take a look back again at these Galleries later in the year to see if I have found a few new angles to capture the action....

Pics of the 2012 GK&MC 2-Day Moto-X are now online:
GK&MC 2-DAY MOTO-X MEETING

A few of the Guernsey Power Boat Association's races have fallen victim of the poor weather that we have endured this summer. So it was a treat to have reasonable conditions for Race-8.

I have not been able to photograph every race this year... I did try a couple that were cancelled after I got very wet whilst waiting for a race start in a small Rib with waves rolling in! Never a good idea with several grands worth of lenses and camera getting wet:-) I also missed a couple of races whilst I was photographing Jersey Live and a Hill Climb.

The latest race was quite a spectacle with the course bringing the racers close to the St Peter Port harbour walls which provided an ideal viewpoint. The 2012 season has show-cased some close racing and the seed has been sown with a few new competitors for next year. Let's hope we get an 'old fashioned' hot summer in 2013 :-)

Race-8 pics are now on-line:
Power Boat Championship Race-8

As the Hill Climb season nears its end for 2012 I have been reflecting on some of the performances I have seen this year.

The records have been lowered in such numbers that it has probably created a new record of its own!

The quality of driving. The standard of preparation of Cars, Bikes and Karts and the total commitment shown by competitors places Channel Island Motor Sport way up the 'league' when it is judged against other National venues.
Motor Sport has also shown that it is near the top when judged by the level of performance compared to other local sports.

There are probably few sports that demand such brave commitment. It is also an expensive activity to compete in - particulaly when many of the younger participants have families to feed!

The Alderney weekend always makes me aware how many people have to be involved with a Motor Sport Club to make everything happen. Guernsey is spoilt by having three well run and supported Clubs.

May I suggest that any racer who has enjoyed the 2012 season should take a moment to thank the Committee members and many helpers who make all this happen. That way we can all look forward to even better racing days ahead ;-)

Alderney Hill Climb pics are now on-line:
ALDERNEY HILL CLIMB 2012

Well what can I say? Party on..... Disco dancing & smoke. Only the disco lights are missing!
Whatever music these guys are listening to it must be loud ;-)

The Guernsey Kart & Motor Club have just returned from the Annual visit to Alderney. This is a highlight of the Channel Islands Motor Sport scene. There is no doubting that any competitor who makes the journey must LOVE their racing.

The logistics, cost and effort that goes into setting up a safe and successful weekend of Sprint and Hill Climb racing 'offshore' is massive. The Committee and all the many helpers and supporters are to be congratulated on another well run event.

Of course we were over in Alderney for the racing but the weekend always offers far more than that as all those involved mix for the social side as well. An outbreak of 'Alderney Flu' is the usual outcome by Sunday morning!

There was another helmet-full of new records.... something we have come to expect this year. Both events are extremely fast and inevitably attract the 'cream' of the racing scene. To watch this action from my privileged (and close!) viewpoint is quite astonishing. A certain red BMW paid me a rather close visit at the Hill Climb. I was most disappointed that no-one in the crowd of spectators got a picture of me legging it! I guess you have to be a 'pro' to keep clicking when it all 'kicks off', ha, ha!

In fact, on this occassion, even I missed the actual crash as I was breaking the 30 metre sprint record. Good job a 100 metre sprint wasn't needed - at my age!

It must have been a 'Red Car' thing this year as Tim Le Pelley had a big moment (actually it was more like five!) when his once beautiful Mini rolled over at the Sprint. He walked away having reaped the benefit of his careful car preparation. We were all very relieved.

I am now working through the weekends pics. First up are the Fort Corblets Sprint pictures.
PICTURES OF THE 2012 ALDERNEY SPRINT

With the previous Guernsey Kart & Motor Club Sprint at Vazon coast road being cancelled due to atrocious weather it was a relief to see near perfect conditions this time :-)
There was a good turn-out of competitors who enjoyed their track-time.

The speeds were phenomenal. How do you fancy 142mph over the quarter-mile finish line in a 'home-made' V8 powered chassis? If you want to know how that sort of speed feels along the substantial 'bend' that makes up the section on Vazon coast road you had better ask Scott Rayson. It was his 6,800cc custom-made car that did it!

This finishing speed was matched by FTD biker Adam Girard.
Adam also beat the 10 second mark with a time of 9.97. Again this represents a really 'ballsy' performance considering the bend, the changes in level and cambers. I'm impressed!

A gallery of pictures is now online. As always I have more pictures than get uploaded. Give me a call or e-mail if you want to view all your racing.
GK&MC SPRINT 08-09-2012