News / Blog - Motorsport News

By a strange coincidence this new Web Site has passed two 'milestones' within a few hours of each other.

It is now ONE YEAR since I started developing a new place to display - and sell ;-) my pictures and this web site has generated quite a bit of interest since then. The new venture has been very enjoyable but has taken a huge amount of time!

The reward for me has been watching the 'web stats' climbing.
The coincidence that I mentioned above was that just as the first year passed the site hit ONE MILLION picture viewings!

WOW, I'm amazed and thank all of you who make a regular 'trip' over here.

However, I don't consider the 'job done' yet as my old web site was recording a MUCH LARGER 'hit rate'... but that had been established for several years. But I have that old target to aim for.
So what is in store for the next twelve months? I guess the answer is more of the same as it must be clear to regular visitors where my interests are.

With the anniversary I thought I would take a look at the details regarding picture views in case there was a clue to help me direct my time (and talent?!).

So, where is the interest? Is it with my well timed Motor Sport action shots? Or is it the beautifully captured Gig photography making use of superb stage lighting?

No - the most viewed picture during the last twelve months is the one displayed above... why do I bother, eh?

Well I'm certainly not one to lead by example when it comes to planning the Christmas presents... that's what the missus is for, isn't that right?
I'm 'dead meat' if she reads this, no turkey for me!
But the fact is that the festive season will soon be here. So I have added a great new design option to the Montages... and it makes a perfect gift.
The new choice is for the stunning 'POSTER MONTAGES'. These are more stylized than the standard Photo Montages and make a great 'Work of Art' for your walls. They can feature a selection of your favourite pictures and can feature Motor Sport or Band and Gig pictures.
I produce a design using selected pictures and e-mail a sample proof for your comment and confirmation.
These Poster Montages look great in the larger formats and are particulaly impressive as 'Ready to Hang' Canvases.
Prices and options can be viewed by clicking here: PRICES & OPTIONS
A Gallery of Montages can be viewed here: CHECK-OUT THE MONTAGE GALLERIES
If you would like to consider ordering a POSTER MONTAGE please don't leave it too late. Give me a call (07781 144525) or e-mail me E-MAIL ANDREW LE POIDEVIN and we can chat about your requirements.

Considering the relatively small amount of entries (less than 50) more records were falling than the autumn leaves at the Guernsey Kart & Motor Club Hill Climb at Petit Bot.
This is the last Hill Climb of the season and seems to attract the very best racers in each Class - excluding the open wheel single seater racing cars which the MSA have seen fit to ban on this very narrow hill. I know this is a big disapointment to some of those racers.
I think I counted a total of twelve new or lowered records for this hill. These included the outright Car record by Paul Le Messurier and the Bike record by Oliver Holmes. Two very impressive and committed runs.
The mood on the hill was dampened when Pete Le Page had a very big accident on the first and very fast straight. Witnesses were shocked by what they saw and recalled how high Pete and his bike launched after hitting a bank and then landing heavily on the road. Thankfully, and amazingly, Pete was discharged from hospital after undergoing scans with minors injuries - a relief to us all.
Of course he was chatting about it on Facebook later... back to normal then!
I have added a new Gallery of pictures:
PETIT BOT HILL CLIMB 2011

Chouet beach was not a particulaly comfortable place to be when the Guernsey Autocross Club held Round 1 of the new Winter Championship.
There were strong winds blowing straight off the sea and you only needed to gaze along the spectator areas to note that there was a very small crowd when judged by normal standards... perhaps the thermals were still packed away in the bottom draw!
If more people had turned out they would have been entertained by some good close racing including the reigning Champion, Ozzy Ozanne, being beaten in the Race of Firsts by Callum Queripel.
The scene is set for another great spectacle on the beach at Chouet over the coming months. Make sure you find the time (and the thermals) to make a trip to one of the races.
A new Gallery of pictures has been added:
ROUND 1 OF THE WINTER AUTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP

It wasn't only the Motocross boys (and gals) who were enjoying the sunshine over the weekend.
The south coast cliffs of Guernsey also hosted a round of the Guernsey Motor Cycle & Car Club Trials bike Championship. It was scorching hot on the cliffs at Corbiere, particulaly in the sheltered valleys but the good sized entry was having too much fun to notice!
I am always amazed how well the riders traverse the steep and slippery cliff side. I was finding it challenging to move between different sections but the competitors made easy progress. Maybe a Trials bike is the one bit of 'kit' that I am missing?
It was most enjoyable spending a few hours taking pictures in the late summer sun... and I have the nerve to call it work :o)
A new picture Gallery is now on-line:
GMC&CC BIKE TRIALS AT CORBIERE

Well I guess the the headline is a bit misleading really. The weekend was all about winners.
Certainly the winning ingredients of a very successful weekend of Motor Sport were the weather (who sorted that out?!), the new layout of the track and the general friendly spirit that imbued the whole competition.
As a Guernseyman, though, I can't help being a bit dissapointed by the way our Jersey neighbours walked away with most of the top places.
I could be rude and bitter but the fact is we must try harder. Maybe the new track will encourage the development of more new, young local talent?
The Guernsey Motor Sport scene is strong and is able to lead many of the varied formulas that are raced in the Channel Islands so I look forward to the Motocross section strenghening its show.
The GK&MC have a enthusiastic Committee overseeing the Motocross section. Watch this space.
I have added new pictures from Day-2... check 'em out here:
DAY 2 OF THE MOTOCROSS WEEKEND

It took a long soak to even begin to remove the layers of dust that I took home from the re-designed Motocross track at Pleinmont, Guernsey today!
It was incredible weather and the extra warm and dry conditions meant that it was impossible to keep away from the massive dust clouds that engulfed the track.
Of course, my chosen place is as close to the action as possible and I was completely 'filled in' a couple of times... but it was worth it, I hope.
The re-design has meant that all my old 'favourite' positions have disappeared so a lot of the day was spent scouting out the new opportunities. Time will tell just how good the new vantage points will be. My first impression is that photographing great action pics has become a bit more difficult.
I guess that means I will have to try a bit harder!
Make your own mind up by viewing the latest Gallery:
FIRST 2-DAY MOTO-X GALLERIES

I have now added a new Gallery of pictures featuring the final Sprint meeting held by the Guernsey Kart & Motor Club at Vazon coast road.
This Gallery can now be viewed by clicking on this link:
SPRINT CHAMPIONSHIP 10-09-2011

As I mentioned yesterday in the News item, I have spent a few days in Alderney photographing the Guernsey Kart & Motor Club Sprint meeting at Fort Corblets and two days of Hill Climbing at Fort Tourgis.
Oh yes, I also enjoyed the legendary Alderney hospitality including two nights of Culture & Karaoke in the Campania Pub, what a laugh!
Memorable as all this was, the one thing that will stick in my mind for some time will be when Chris Pommier's Westfield launched itself in my direction after coming unstuck on the Sprint at Fort Corblets.
I didn't know I could still move that fast - but I'm relieved that I can.
I hope you note that every pic is pin sharp... right up to when I turned and ran. What a Pro, eh!
A few pics taken before the car landed right where I was standing can be seen in the new Gallery.
ALDERNEY SPRINT PICTURES
LINK TO FIRST PIC OF CRASH SEQUENCE

The Guernsey Kart & Motor Club extended the annual visit to Alderney to three days this year.
So it all kicked off on Thursday with the Sprint event at Fort Corblets in great, sunny conditions.
This particular Sprint will remain in my memory (or nightmares) for some time I think as the the moment I learnt when it was best to stop taking pics and run!
Chris Pommier had the back-end of his Westfield step-out on the first bend and he then became a passenger as the car started a massive slide down the track. I was in the perfect position to take pics but the car headed straight towards me! I continued to grab a couple more shots before the car was launched into the air... I turned and sprinted... the car landed exactly where I had been standing.
That was a close one!
The pics of Chris's off will follow tomorrow. The first Galleries feature the Two-Day Hill Climb at Fort Tourgis. Check them out here:
ALDERNEY HILL CLIMB PICTURES

The Galleries have been completed for the 29th August Hill Climb at Le Val des Terres. The latest pics include Bikes & Karts.
As always, the uploaded pictures only represent a selection of all the pics I take. Due to the time and space required by the Gallery updates I will usually have many more pictures stored in my huge database. Just contact me by phone or e-mail Email Andrew Le Poidevin if you would like to view all your racing pics... with no obligation to buy!
August 29th Hill Climb

I've had several phone calls and e-mails during the last ten days from people chasing me for more Gallery updates. I really appreciate these contacts as it proves that people enjoy browsing though the various picture galleries.
The updates have been slow due to a heavy commitment to Commercial clients at the moment. These are the jobs that allow me to pursue the Motor Sport and Gig photography that I enjoy so much. So they have priority.
But, I have still been taking pics during this time and will soon have a few new (and large) Galleries added to this site.
The first of the new updates are for the 29th August Hill Climb up Les Val des Terres. The other updates that will follow will cover the Bikes and Karts at the Hill Climb.
After finishing the Hill Climb pics the next updates will be of the sell-out Jersey Live.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE LATEST HILL CLIMB PICS

Today the Guernsey Motor Cycle & Car Club held Round-7 of their Summer Sand Racing Championship on Vazon beach.
For the second meeting in a row there was a dramatic accident! This time it was the Bikes. As happened last meeting - I missed the action, argh! It all took place immediately behind me.
Dave Patten had just passed on his slider when he tangled with a fellow rider and he found himself launched high into the air - followed by his bike.
Dave was able to walk to the ambulance and was transfered to the PEH for check-ups. We all hope he was just bruised with nothing broken.
New picture Galleries have now been added...
SAND RACING CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND-7

I was only able to make a late visit to The Track to photograph Round 8 of the Guernsey Kart & Motor Club's Summer Karting Championship... but there was plenty of close racing and also a pretty spectacular crash by William Konken.
Will rolled his Kart after a coming together with Ben Parsons. He was thrown out of his Kart. Thanfully the early reports on his condition suggest he wasn't seriously injured but you can't bounce down a race track without collecting a few bruises!
With this accident following Nigel Ozannes 'big one' on the sand at Vazon a week ago we are all reminded that Motor Sport can be dangerous, but the guys 'n gals who compete in the various Classes know this and are unstoppable.
I have added a new Gallery of pics including a few of Wills crash.
KART CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND-8

All the talk for the last few days on the Guernsey Motor Sport scene has been about Nigel Ozanne's big accident on the sands at Vazon Bay.
Nigel was racing his very competitive 'Grass Tracker' when it appears a contact was made with another car. Nigel ended up dramatically rolling perhaps as many as five times!
Thankfully, after a lengthy rescue from the car and a stay in hospital it appears that no major injuries occured.
As always after an incident such as this - and when it is known that the driver is OK - the question is: 'Did you get a picture of the crash?'
The answer in this case is a disappointed 'NO'. I had just left the beach to change to a different lens set-up. Shame on me as the race before I was in exactly the right spot... sorry Nige!
I did get a couple of good 'sideways' shots of Nigel in the first race during which he nearly ran me over! He apologised afterwards saying that he saw me taking pics and wanted a good one - but it got hung out a bit too far, he, he!
To take a look at the latest pics click here:
ROUND-6 SAND RACING PICS

The latest Guernsey Kart & Motor Club Hill Climb at Les Val des Terres turned out to be a bit special with several Classes being closely fought and records falling.
I was 'out and about' on the hill as usual and came home with a load of new pics to edit. Several days later you can view the results!
I have worked a few new angles in an attempt to keep the galleries interesting. Let me know what you think.
Remember that I always have more pics then the ones that are uploaded.
Due to space limitations the only way you can see all the pics is to contact me and I will arrange a viewing on my Laptop Database... with NO obligations to buy.
The final updates include the Bikers and Karters.
HILL CLIMB KARTS & BIKES

The first Class of competitors have been added to the Hill Climb Galleries... over 250 Car pictures!
Once again I have tried to give a good and varied coverage to the racing. This takes a considerable amount of time - so don't forget if you buy a couple of pics you are doing a good job of supporting my 'Beer Fund'. It will also encourage me to continue ;-)
Once again the records dropped with the most impressive being Darren Warwick becoming the fastest ever Channel Islander up 'the Terres'. Well done that man.
Bike & Kart pictures will follow.
GK&MC HILL CLIMB 06-08-2011

Yesterday I was able to spend a short time at The Track photographing the latest round of the Guernsey Kart & Motor Club's Summer Series of Kart Racing.
The heats were as competitive as ever with close and exciting racing. If you have never witnessed this form of Motor Sport I recommend that you find time to pop down to The Track at Victoria Avenue on a race morning.
The action is virtually continuous and there are good, safe viewing points. Championship details can be found here:
VISIT THE GUERNSEY KART & MOTOR CLUB WEB SITE
The latest Gallery of my Kart Racing pictures can be viewed here:
ROUND 7 KARTING SERIES
My time was split between photographing the Kart Racing and capturing Round 6 of the Guernsey Powerboat Association's Championship over the Fermain Course. A new Gallery of pics can be viewed here:
ROUND 6 OF THE GPA POWERBOAT RACING

Today saw the latest Round of the Guernsey Powerboat Association 2011 Championship over the Jethou Course.
The conditions seemed to be enjoyed by all the competitors that I spoke to after the race.
However one driver may be wishing he'd staying in bed this morning. Carl Wallbridge's Cat named 'Cody Cat' took a heavy hit near the stern cracking and holeing the hull. It quickly took on water and the motors were flooded.
The boat was saved though and towed into St Peter Port for some hasty salvage work on the twin engines. This was tough luck for Carl but lets hope is back racing again soon.
I have added pictures of the racing here:
ROUND-5 OF THE GUERNSEY POWERBOAT CHAMPIONSHIP
UPDATE: A few pics of Round 6 have been added to a new Gallery.
Incredibly 'Cody Cat' made it back into the water and to the start-line after being repaired.
ROUND-6 OF THE GUERNSEY POWERBOAT CHAMPIONSHIP

It has to be grudgingly agreed that this year it was Jersey that produced the best weather for their rounds of the MSA National Hill Climb at Bouley Bay.
You must understand, I'm not complaining, it is a lot more pleasant spending a day following the racing when the sun shines!
The enjoyment was completed by the fact that the Guernsey contingent did so well. A good day of Motor Sport then.
The visiting 'National' competitors impressed with some new kit. Wallace Menzies DJ Firestorm with its dramatic traction control system echoing up the valley and Mike Manning's four wheel drive Ford Puma were perhaps the most memorable.
A new gallery of pictures has now been added...
JERSEY MSA NATIONAL HILL CLIMB