News / Blog - Motorsport News

Well I'm not complaining you understand, but having waited for the 2013 Guernsey Motor Sport season to start for proper, this weekend sees non-stop racing. Nice!

First on the list was the GK&MC Sprint meeting at Vazon coast road. It was cold.... very cold. Maybe it was even a bit too cold as there was a real lack of new records. I think we might have been spoilt by the last couple of seasons racing when so many new lows have been achieved.
It is far to early though to label the new season as ordinary yet!!!

With an Autocross race lined up for Sunday and the first Hill Climb of 2013 on Monday we are all going to be kept busy and entertained.

Talking about entertaining. Special thanks have to go to two competitors at the Sprint. Firstly to Richard Turk Vaudin who lit-up the rear tyre on his Hayabusa whilst warming it before a run. A mega burn-out would be good enough for most people... but Richard went one or two better than that by doing it one handed whilst creeping forward in total control. Stylish!
I got the pics.... job done :-)

But the prize has to go to Lee(three wheels on my wagon)Corbet who managed to lose a rear wheel half way down his run. The other one was also about to come adrift!
As no-one was hurt we can all have a laugh about it and I guess Lee is going to receive 'pay back' for his many years of 'taking the micky' out of other racers. Enjoy!
Full marks for style though as the tyre went though the finish and recorded a time, ha, ha.

It must have been my lucky day as I was also in the right place to capture pics of Lee's little mishap.
Sprint pics are now online:
VIEW PICS OF BURN-OUTS AND LONESOME WHEELS AT THE VAZON SPRINT

VIEW THE LATEST MOTOCROSS RACING
Last weekend seemed to herald the start to the Guernsey Motor Sport season for 2013.

Both the Guernsey Motor Cycle & Car Club and the Guernsey Kart & Motor Club held events. We are also looking ahead to next weekend when the first Sprint and Hill Climb are booked in. It is non-stop Motor Racing from then on... just like the racers like it :-)

I have already posted pics of the GMC&CC 2-day Trials meeting so today's additions feature two of the GK&MC championships.

On Sunday the winter Kart Championship was wrapped-up at The Track with race three of the short series. The track conditions were pretty good for the karters. That is more than can be said for the Moto-X riders as they were welcomed once again by very muddy conditions.
It must be said though that the track did improve as the day went on and there is little that anyone can do about a dirt track that has suffered from record levels of rainfall and snow.

I don't think you will find a single competitor in any of the formulas that are raced in Guernsey who doesn't hope for a drier twelve months ahead! Fingers crossed, eh?

I'll be out and about (rain or shine) at just about every race of 2013. Make sure you look back regularly for the Gallery Updates.
VIEW ROUND 3 OF THE WINTER KART CHAMPIONSHIP

The Annual 2-Day Trials meeting organised by the Guernsey Motor Cycle & Car Club is usually an excuse for an Island tour. This year was no different!

I don't know if a Trials bike has a mileometer but if they do the digits would have rolled around over the last couple of days.

There was a good entry for the 2013 2-day event and each day the sections were spread around cliff tops, beaches and valleys. I did my best to follow the competitors and was rewarded by the quality of riding. Once again the Expert riders impressed me with their skill and nerves. It was just a shame that the weather on Sunday was so bitterly cold on the beach sections as this must have put off some spectators.

The GMC&CC make every effort to provide a weekend of entertainment for the visiting riders from the Mainland and France. The formula certainly works as there were plenty of smiles... even on the exposed headlands.

See you all again in twelve months guys?

Pics of the 2-Day Trials are now online:
VIEW PICS OF THE GMC&CC 2-DAY TRIALS

Guernsey Motorsport competitors (and their partners at home) can be reassured that the local rescue unit has been putting in the hours to prepare for the new seasons Hill Climbs and Sprints.

Sarnia Rescue have just completed a well organised and realistic practice of their skills whilst giving Paul Le Pelley's once immaculate red and white Mini a last 'swan-song'.

Paul was kind enough to donate the Mini after he wrote it off at last years GK&MC Alderney Sprint. Thankfully Tim was OK after this big crash - but the Mini faired less well.

The donation of the Mini body to Sarnia Rescue offered the chance to practice the safe removal of an injured driver from a proper racing car... one that was fitted with full race seat, harness and roll cage.

Steve Marquis called on his previous experience as an airport fireman to set up a very authentic exercise that included an engine fire and a Marshal who had collapsed whilst running to the incident.

I was on the scene to 'get in the way' whilst photographing the team. I also captured a video from an overhead camera so the crew could analyse the whole procedure in a de-brief.

I have to say that I was very impressed by the professional performance of Sarnia Rescue. The extrication of the driver was very challenging and required great team work and the use of several bits of specialist kit.
It should be reassuring to all racers that this well trained unit and their rescue equipment are just seconds away from any type of incident you might have.

Remember to say a thank-you to the guys and gals next time you see them attending a race meeting. Whilst you have been re-building your kit through the winter months they have been putting in the hours fine tuning their rescue skills... oh, and remember that none of you can race without Marshals and Medics attending every meeting.

I have added a small selection of pics to the Marshals Gallery if you want to see how useful Tims old Mini was and what a fitting 'Motor Sport end' came to a once stunning race car:
VIEW A FEW PICS OF THE SARNIA RESCUE TRAINING EXERCISE

You have to look hard to find a weekend in Guernsey when there's no Motorsport action!

We are clearly a load of petrol heads (not super unleaded anymore!) on this little rock. Well I guess we have to entertain ourselves somehow :-)

So last weekend it was business as usual with the Guernsey Kart & Motor Club turning out at The Track for their Winter Kart Championship and the Autocross Club playing chase on the beach with their Banger racing Championship.

It was bitterly cold at both venues - but the beach took the prize for the most uncomfortable.
The thermals came out of the bottom draw and I can now agree that there is no such thing as bad weather, just wrong clothing!
After getting wet through at the last Autocross race I'm pleased to report that I was fully prepared this time.

Take a look at what can be achieved with the right clothing :-)
VIEW THE LATEST KART RACING CHAMPIONSHIP PICS
VIEW THE LATEST AUTOCROSS RACING CHAMPIONSHIP PICS

The GMC&CC Trials at the weekend where held on sections based around one of Guernsey's prettiest coastal valleys, Petit Bot.
With the sun shining and a few early spring flowers brightening the hedgerows the afternoon was very inviting.

The Trials riders were out in force to enjoy a few hours of their favourite motorsport - but they had to deal with the result of the previous weeks of frequent rainfall... read MUD!

It is remarkable to see the riders negotiate muddy slopes on their bikes when it is almost impossible to find any grip when climbing on foot. It is also clear from watching the competitors that a confident and committed approach to each obstacle is the only successful way to clear a section.
As always, the Experts made it look soooo easy!

I returned home with minimal soiling from the abundant mud and with a few good pics... I'll call that a job well done.

Pictures are now online:
PETIT BOT TRIALS, A MIX OF SUN AND MUD

I'm impressed!

Saturday saw another GK&MCC Motocross Championship race on the Pleinmont track. And what a pleasure it was to spend the day out on the sunny south coast cliffs of Guernsey.

The superb weather and great light seemed to turn me a bit 'trigger happy' and I fired off nearly 300 shots.... that's just not like me!

But the racing was really entertaining and I think a good time was had by everyone. I even chatted to a few marshalls who thought that it wasn't such a bad place to be!

However the thing that has impressed me most is how the interest in my pics has been recorded on the web-site log.

Due to other photographic commitments today I only just managed to upload the weekends Motocross pics late this morning. I didn't find the time to add any links to the Gallery. However I have just checked the site statistics and it seems that already over 4,000 picture viewings have been made!!

I can now officially state that Motocross riders do not lack initiative when it comes to searching out pics of their own riding.... even if I still think that they have a few nuts 'n' bolts missing when it comes to throwing their bikes around corners and into the air :-)

I somehow doubt that there are may riders who haven't already found the new Gallery of pics. But if you haven't, it is here:
VIEW THE LATEST MOTOCROSS PICS... IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY...

If you had an invitation to spend a morning on the beach (instead of having the missus make you tick a few more jobs off your list of to-do's) I guess you would take the beach option?

Well this is what I thought too. That is before I spent time on Chouet beach last Sunday. It was Round-7 of the Guernsey Autocross Club's Winter Championship. The problem was the weather and the fact that I had failed to dress for what was about to come!

The racing started off in reasonable conditions. OK, it was dull and there was a bit of moisture in the air. But I could handle that. Then things turned for the worse, much worse.
After the interval the heavens opened, big time, and I found myself sadly lacking in the waterproofing department - at least on my lower half. Needless to say I got saturated. This was all the excuse I needed to head for home, a shower, a Sherry a tasty roast dinner with a glass or two of red wine.

What would've you done?

:-)

I did get a few pics before I ran for cover though.
A FEW AUTOCROSS PICS BEFORE I RAN FOR COVER

Saturday saw the Motocross riders taking to the sky up on the cliffs at Pleinmont. It was good to be out in the fresh air - even if the was bl***y chilly!

As a photog it was worth wrapping up against the elements as the light was great. Winter light can be rewarding as the low angle and (on a good day) the warmth of colour can make the colours sing.

The track seemed to dry out during the day and the conditions deserved a better turn-out. I guess some of the racers have been put off after the prolonged wet spell. Maybe we will see them back - fingers crossed - as we need full Classes to keep things interesting.

My days work is now online:
NEW MOTOCROSS PICS ONLINE

Better later than never... as the saying goes!

Well I suppose - to be pedantic - (I get that from my missus. We have been married a VERY long time) the latest updates weren't actually late. It is just this Blog telling you about the update which is late :-)

My excuse is that last weekend and the week leading up to it were very busy. On Saturday the Guernsey Kart & Motor Club held their Annual Dinner Dance and Trophy Presentation at St Pierre Park Hotel. Once again I was invited to support the presentation with a slideshow featuring a racing picture of each winner as they came forward to pick up their Silverware.
I also ran a slideshow during the meal and disco which followed that featured more pics of the Clubs racing over previous seasons.

I have stated this before but it bears repeating. I am quite amazed how good a digital image can look when projected eight foot wide when the resolution (1024 x 768 pixels) is sooooo low.
Todays digital photographers won't even get out of bed to use a camera with less that 12 megapixels. This equates to a pixel resolution of at least 4,000 pixels wide! So how can an image look sharp and detailed when seen projected 8 foot wide with just 1024 pixel width? Answers on a postcard or e-mail please :-)

But I have strayed from the point a bit. This latest blog is late... but I have had the latest 'shoot' online since Sunday night. This features the Winter Championship of the Guernsey Autocross Club on the beach at Chouet. If you haven't found the Gallery yet follow this link:
CLICK TO VIEW THE LATEST AUTOCROSS PICS

On Sunday there was more than a little relief amongst the racing fraternity that, at last, we could get back to what we enjoy most.... RACING!
Christmas and the New Year only seem to spoil the fun (and routine) when this enforced break puts everything on hold for a few weeks!

So there were loads of smiles, a few new competitors and lots of new kit on show for the first race of the Guernsey Kart & Motor Club's Winter Karting Series at The Track.

The weather was what we expected after the recent wet periods... actually it was probably better than we should have expected as the rain seemed to stay away and the track dried more as each race went on.

There was plenty of close racing suggesting the season will be well worth following. Make sure you visit The Track during the season. Spectators are always welcome....
Pics of the racing are now on-line:
PICS OF ROUND-1 OF THE 2013 WINTER KART CHAMPIONSHIP

This year I have made a special effort to photograph more Trials meetings than previous years and I must say that I have enjoyed the different challenges that this has presented.

Most of the other Motor Sport that I photograph 'majors' on speed... the more the better usually!
So I have to take a different approach and viewpoint when considering how to do justice to the skillful, brave and controlled riding that is Trials.

However there is one theme that seems to be at the core of just about all the genre's of photography that I enjoy. This is the importance of capturing the 'peak' moment of action.
A successful Motor Sport picture might capture a car sliding on the apex of a corner or a biker generating sparks from laying the bike down low enough to get the pegs on the tarmac.
Even the gig photography requires concentration to capture a distinctive, momentary gesture of a singer or a crowd reaction. In each case it is all over in a split second.

With the Trials photography it has been important for me to begin to understand what a skilled rider can achieve on their bike - and that can be pretty amazing!
Slowly I think it is beginning to sink in and I am learning to judge the styles of riding and I'm finding positions to shoot from that add a bit of drama to the manoeuvres.

I spent a short time out on the windy coast on Sunday covering the Guernsey Motor Cycle & Car Club Trials meeting at the Pines. The resulting pics are now online. I hope a few reflect some the split seconds of peak action and showcase the riders skills... let me know what you think.
VIEW THE LATEST TRIALS PICS FROM THE PINES

Who am I trying to kid! I've got a long way to go yet before I get in the Christmas mood :-)

I guess many of you are having the usual problem (like me) of thinking about what presents to give.
Well you have come to the right place.... read on.

A new option to present favourite 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 dealing direct with 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 products I offer click here:

VIEW DETAILS OF ALL THE OPTIONS AND PRINTS SIZES
or
CLICK HERE TO VIEW ALL THE PICTURE GALLERIES

So there you are, I've solved your gift problems and if you order in the next 10 days I can still deliver in time for Christmas....

There was still everything to race for in the last Moto-X race meeting of the 2012 Championship with three of the Classes so close at the top that one slip could see a rider loose top spot!

The culmination of the Guernsey Kart & Motor Club Motocross Championship for 2012 was a fitting end to the season which has been plagued by the wet weather and the MUDDY TRACK.... For a change it was superb standing out on the cliffs in the sun! The majority of the track was perfect. So the scene was set!

The Classes that were still in contention were the Intermediates with just two points separating Alex Vaudin and Josh Lambourne.
The Adult B Group could still be won by either Joe Holden or Aaron Lesbirel with a gap of just six points.
Then The Adult Open Class again had just one point between Barney Henry and Hamish Moriarty.

So the 2012 season has been very close and competitive and I'm sure the riders are already looking ahead to 2013.
I've enjoyed photographing this Motorsport again as it can guarantee some good action pics.
Unfortunately my eagerness to get up close to the action... and then a bit closer... saw me get totally 'filled in' when a muddy puddle was deposited over my camera and lens... oh and me! This is my second encounter with mud in the last two meetings, yuck!

So, well done to all the racers and special 'congrats' to the Championship winners. See you all next year when we can do it all again... without the mud though please ;-)

Moto-X Championship pics are now online:
VIEW THE LATEST MOTO-X PICS

This time of year sees the Motor Sport season coming to an end.

Last weekend saw one of the established Clubs holding their Annual Dinner Dance and Trophy Presentation when the years Champions got to pick up their rewards.

This time it was the Guernsey Motor Cycle & Car Club who laid out the tables 'dripping' with polished Silverware. (Motor Sport LOVES Trophies!)

The GMC&CC has a long history of supporting a variety of racing and competition and was the organiser of one of the biggest spectacles of recent years when the British Sand Ace Championship was run on Vazon beach VIEW THE 2012 BRITISH SAND ACE CHAMPIONSHIP

So the scene was set. The racers were all 'polished up' (suprisingly well considering that leather gear would always be their prefered form of dress) and I was supporting the presentation with a slideshow of all the winners as they came forward to collect the treasured items. I am always amazed how good a picture can look when blown up and projected on an eight foot wide screen - remember that the screen resolution is only about 1024 dpi! How does this work.... I haven't a clue! . I hope the show was appreciated as it takes an age to put together.

The following day saw the Trials Guys and Gals running a meeting on sections laid out in Petit Bot valley. Having spent the night of the Dinner Dance sharing a table with several of the Trials riders I can vouch for how serious they were taking the next days competition ;-) Party on eh guys!

By early afternoon my body was beginning to function again and I popped along to Petit Bot to take a few pics. The fresh air was just what the Doctor would have ordered!

Pics can be viewed here:
VIEW THE LATEST TRIALS PICS FROM PETIT BOT

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.