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I'm afraid that I'm an 'old school' photographer. I purchased my first camera whilst still at school using money saved from my Saturday job.

Of course as this was over 50 years ago that camera had to be loaded with film... 24 or 36 pics on a roll.

So I learnt that each press of the shutter had to be considered and not wasted. Also there was an additional cost to every shot as a film had to then be processed. That was more money out of my pocket!

I suppose that discipline got to be a habit and now that I take sports pics for a living I cannot break this habit of a lifetime of carefully firing off the shutter.

But modern day digital photography has brought many benefits and many advances that make our job so much easier. Think autofocus, fast and limit-less shutter rates and no film costs to name a couple.

I'd be silly not to take advantage of these improvements but I still can't get my finger into trigger happy mode. In fact I often dial down the maximum shutter rate as I get really annoyed if I take too many pics on a single press of the button, easy to do at fourteen frames a second! I like to try and capture just the peak moment and nothing more, however I'm sure that sometimes this means I do miss a shot!

Luckily those 50 years of taking pics sometimes helps with judging when maximum speed might be needed and Autocross racing is one of those times. It does mean that the number of shots I take during a meeting can run into a couple of hundred but that is the price to pay for being ready when something dramatic happens right in front of me.

That situation occured today at the Autocross racing on Chouet beach. Jade Ferbrache, who is well known for her skills riding large powerful bikes on tarmac, paid the price of pushing her car to the limit on a rutted sandy track. As she entered the pits corner her car launched into a massive double roll-over. Jade was wearing a neck brace and soon emerged from her slightly crumpled car unhurt.

So there we have it. Jade has added another roll-over 'notch' to her seatbelt and she now has a few pics to show the grandchildren one day!

In case you are wondering, I missed the very first moment of the roll but thanks to my modern Nikon digital camera I still got a sequence of 28 pics... that's more than I'd have got on a new roll of film! Maybe it's about time that this 'old school' photographer embraced everything that Digital photography brings to the kit bag... including the huge amount of pics it offers?

Follow this link to view the gallery:
CLICK TO VIEW THE LATEST AUTOCROSS PICS

Just a quick update to let you know that the latest Autocross pics are now online.

Race 4 of the Guernsey Autocross Club's Winter Championship took place in quite nice and bright conditions... meaning we didn't get wet!

Of course there are plenty more rounds of the championship to go yet. Not that I want to tempt fate!!

The pics are here:
CLICK TO VIEW THE LATEST AUTOCROSS PICS

Quite a chunk of my weekends work revolved around two wheels.

There was the motorized kind and the leg powered variety! I've already added a Gallery of my GVC MTB XC pics and the latest addition features Round 4 of the GK&MC Motocross Championship.

I had a full morning of Press work before I headed off to the clifftop at Pleinmont for the MAD bikers racing... well I always think they are the MAD bunch in Motorsport!

Take a look at my pics to see how much 'air' some of them take. Yes, MAD is the right term!!

Follow this link to view the pics:
CLICK TO VIEW ROUND 4 OF THE MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP

Who’d have thought that so many people would be into looking at pictures of hardcore action?

Those pictures are some the most recent ones that I’ve taken and they feature guys and gals in hardcore slippery action.

And before you get too worked up let me be clear. I’m talking about the weekends Petit Bot hill climb... the one raced in torrential rain!!

I’m commenting about this as my website has been taking a lot of hits in the last 24 hours... over 35,000 picture views!!

Not all visitors have been looking at the hardcore racers as there are thousands of other pics in the Galleries but thanks for the interest.

If you want to see what you have been missing follow this link:
CLICK TO VIEW THE PETIT BOT HARDCORE RACING

The 2021 GK&MC Petit Bot Hill Climb was the wettest I can remember... and there have been a few of those!

Conditions deteriorated as the torrential rain set in which led to the inevitable... the Clerk of the Course called an early finish. This was warmly received by the marshals who were soaked through.

It's no exaggeration to say that when faced by strong wind and torrential rain working as a bespectacled photographer entails continual wiping of lenses, viewfinder and glasses. I find that I miss more shots than normal and sometimes I have to shoot almost blind, trusting the camera to find the focus!

Also looking after and protecting the cameras is important but the knowledge that these wet days often provide great pics means we just have to take our chances.

So with the rain dripping down my back and my waterproofs failing in their waterproofness and the steamed up viewfinder the day was challenging and very uncomfortable, but a memorable one.

After completing the edit I think it was worth the endurance because as I had hoped I captured a few cracking shots.

And now I've had a shower and a beer it was an (almost) enjoyable day!! Follow this link to view the very wet 2021 Petit Bot hill climb:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE 2021 PETIT BOT HILL CLIMB

I've had a gentle reminder that I hadn't uploaded my pics from the 30th August hill climb. That is now sorted!

But I did have a sort of excuse... carry on reading to be informed!

This is my sick note to the Clerk of the Course that tells the story.

Dear Chemy – Clerk of the Course.

I’ve written this sick note to you to explain that Andrew isn’t feeling very well today.

It seems that yesterday someone made Andrew drink a lot of beer at the Vale Earth Fair.

When I asked how much he’d drunk all he could remember was that it was lots and lots and lots! Poor thing.

This is also why he was late arriving at the hill today.

I hope you will show him some compassion and give him credit for making the courageous effort to get out of bed this morning.

I also ask that you make allowances if the standard of his work isn’t as good as normal.

I’m sure Andrew will be fine in a couple of days... or after having another beer.

Love, Carol

OH, and in case you are wondering. It was me who forged the sick note.... just like I used to do at school.

My wife is amazing but there is as much chance of her showing me any sympathy when I have a hangover as there is of me breaking the ‘Terres hill record!!

The picture above confirms that I wasn't functioning fully :-)
CLICK TO VIEW THE 30-08-2021 HILL CLIMB GALLERY

The Imperial Hill Climb holds its place in the Guernsey Motor Sport calendar as a special event... but only once every two or three years!

So there is always a sense of excited anticipation when the diary page is turned to September and 'Imperial Hill' is seen.

For the 2021 edition everything was near perfect with the dry and warm weather playing an important part and the relatively uninterrupted racing (no disruptive return to pits at this hill) giving all competitors a chance to push hard and chase records and PB's.

The total number of records were... well I actually lost count! There were that many!

One of the galleries helps you to appreciate what a fantastic setting the Imperial Hill Climb enjoys. The backdrop of Fort Grey in the bay, the pub at the start line and a chance for the competitors to return to pits using a back lane so allowing uninterrupted racing!

The Imperial Hill Climb ticks a lot of boxes!
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE 2021 IMPERIAL HILL CLIMB

For many people if you mention the beach they will instantly think of golden sands, warm sun, going for a swim and rock pooling for crabs.

But there is another group of folk who see a beach in a totally different way.

For them it is the smell of overheating engines, oily hands, rubber tires and noise, lots of noise!

How could this be?

Well the second group are the Autocross... or Banger racers if you prefer.

These guys (and girls) are banished from the sands for the summertime but once the season progresses into Autumn they are back doing what they love. Making noise and racing... and drawing a large crowd of spectators who seem to have missed the sport almost as much as the drivers.

This is also my signal to get back down to Chouet beach on a Sunday to photograph the action. Pics of Race 1 of the Guernsey Autocross Club winter championship have now been added to a new Gallery.

Follow this link to view the action:
CLICK TO VIEW RACE 1 OF THE AUTOCROSS WINTER CHAMPIONSHIP

The Channel Islands Lawn Mower Racing Association returned to the Sark Harbour Hill for their first event of the 2021 double-header race weekend.

The beautiful and friendly isle of Sark welcomes a large bunch of motorsport followers who travel over to offer support.

But perhaps it isn't just the racing that attracts the spectators but what Sark offers in the way of a pub at the finish line and loads of the Sark chill-out vibe! You can make up your own mind about that one!

I went over to capture some of the hill climb action... nothing to do with having a beer or two as well!

Follow this link to view my pics:
CLICK TO VIEW PCS OF THE SARK LAWN MOWER HILL CLIMB

Whilst I was enjoying the party atmosphere in the Vraiceaters Arms at the West Show this website smashed through another milestone of picture views recorded.

Once again I have to thank you for the continued interest in my pics. It is rewarding to see how many people visit the picture galleries every day. The running total of views is now more than THIRTY-FIVE MILLION!

I study the analytics and statistics of the viewings to understand what coverage is the most popular but it's fascinating to see that every genre of my work gets it's 'moment' of taking top spot.

It seems that the people who pop along here for a few minutes all have their own different interests.

I'm pleased to say that I continue to enjoy my profession... a LOT! It is a real privilege to photograph so many different events and people and my time spent behind the lens has expanded my knowledge and love for the community we share in Guernsey.

I hope I am able to continue taking pics for many years yet - if only to give me an excuse to buy new kit!

There is another new mirrorless Nikon camera (the Nikon Z9) on the way and I can't wait to see how the technology has continued to improve.

One thing is certain. There will be no shortage of news, events, sports, gigs and occasions for me to feature in my galleries. I hope to see you viewing them again sometime soon.
START EXPLORING THE GALLERIES BY CLICKING HERE

This Guernsey Kart & Motor Club hill climb was notable for several reasons. Firstly it was hot and sunny! Always a good start!

Secondly it was a record breaker... and Nick Saunders went for 'gold' with his overall Kart Club record for Les Val des Terres with a time of 27.26sec.

This is an astonishing time but Nick deserves the accolade as he has been chipping away and slowly modifying his car. Nick now has to look at beating a 26.99sec time - the all-time hill record set by 'Nationals' driver Scott Moran at a Car Club National event.

That time is tantalizingly close. Not even Darren Warwick has bettered that one. But watch this space!

Other record breakers were John Dunne, Sam Heathcote and Lee Poole. Well done guys.

The pic at the top of this Blog features two record breakers for the price of one! Local legend John Dunne watches Nick Saunders (also a local legend) head to the line for another run.

My Gallery of pics is now online. Follow this link to view them:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE LATEST GK&MC HILL CLIMB GALLERY

Maybe I was one of the doubters about whether a 2-day Sand Racing meeting could work. After all, most competitors are regular working guys and gals.... would they be prepared or able to take time off work for a Friday race?

The proof was in the eating (maybe an ice-cream as we were on the beach) and the entry was big enough on both days to justify the effort.

In fact it was me who found it difficult to find the time to give proper coverage but I did get down on the sands for both days. These are my pics....
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE 2-DAY SAND RACING MEETING

So here we go. After complaining about it being too cold, too wet, too windy.... you get what I'm saying!

I definitely heard a few people complain that it was too hot at Les Val des Terres for the GMC&CC hill climb!

I hope I didn't fall into the same trap because it was really great to have a day of summer-time racing.

The latest hill climb featured a few new cars, new faces, some old faces returned and quite a lot of action. There were a few 'offs' which we know is part of motorsport but everyone went home safely... but maybe with a box of bits that need reassembling!

I hope all the machinery makes it back to the start-line soon.

My gallery of pics is now online here:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF THE SUNNY GMC&CC HILLCLIMB

It was great to be back at the Reservoir for the Guernsey Kart & Motor Club Speed event as there is a two year wait between each one.

This is a shame as the course offers something completely different for the racers to conquer. It's fast with a mix of corners including the last one which is fast getting a reputation as 'crash corner'!!

The 2021 event was marred by a couple of accidents with the most dramatic ending in us having to wait for an ambulance to return from A&E as there were none left in the station.

My guess is that this cost all competitors at least two runs... but that's motorsport as they say!

I still captured pics of the best action and here are the galleries....
CLICK HERE TO VIEW ALL THE ACTION AT THE RESERVOIR

I popped down to the Vazon sands on Saturday and photographed a bit of the action.

Here's the link to the picture gallery:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE VAZON SAND RACING

Recent weekends have been really busy for me.

I've been covering the Guernsey Press photographic assignments whilst they fill the post left vacant after Adie Miller took a deserved retirement after decades in the job. I won't embarrass him by putting a figure on it but he must be way old!!!

Sadly I'm even older!!!

But with us enjoying a lovely spell of dry and sunny weather it has been a real pleasure to photograph some of the events taking place all around the Island.

I must find the time to put a few galleries online featuring my pics as they would illustrate just how much there is for all of us to see and do.

The 'There's nothing to do over here' brigade please be silent!

For now I've added a few pics of Sunday's Triathlon and Round 6 of the Karting championship. Follow these links to view them:
CLICK TO VIEW THE TRIATHLON PICS
CLICK TO VIEW ROUND 6 OF THE KART CHAMPIONSHIP

The first Kart & Motor Club Hillclimb of the year was held at Les Val des Terres in splendid sunshine... that gets a thumbs up from me!

There was a good sized entry and a handful of new records. That deserves another thumbs up!

I wasn't able to spend as much time at the 'Terres due to other photo jobs but there was still a chance to enjoy some quality motorsport.

When I chat to people less familiar with the local motorsport scene (in fact this can be said about any of the other sports that take place here) I feel that I have to remind them how impressive the quality of organization and performances are when you remember that our population is only equivalent to a small UK town.

I guarantee that no UK community of our size could produce a turnout like the one at the hill on Bank Holiday Monday.

We definitely punch above our weight!

Follow this link to view the latest Gallery:
CLICK TO VIEW THE LATEST GK&MC HILLCLIMB PICS

Well it's safe to say that Guernsey is buzzing again with action and entertainment!

I've had a non-stop weekend but its been fantastic fun in the Sun.

Everything has revolved around taking pics at twelve different events.... so the edit has begun!

Us Guerns have been taking full advantage of our Covid free Island and the variety of entertainments, sports, attractions and scenery available to enjoy in the sun is really something special!

NEVER let it be said that there is NOTHING to do!!

For starters I've added the GVC Frie Baton Long Circuit pics. They can be viewed here:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE GVC FRIE BATON ROAD RACE

Round 5 of the Guernsey Kart & Motor Club Kart championship saw one of the best entries for some time. When you get twelve Rotax Senior Max karts starting a race the excitement levels rise along with the noise!

Karting seems to be entering another 'golden period' and I think that the building momentum is going to generate even more interest.

Even a photographer can feel reinvigorated by the increase in action! I hope you like the gallery of pics that can be viewed by clicking the link below. Hopefully you agree that they illustrate some of the close racing.

Sadly I had a busy agenda on Sunday which restricted how long I could spend at The Track. But there will be a next time.

Please remember that I put my pictures online for your enjoyment. Hopefully you understand that they are not there simply for people to copy. Photography is my income.

If you want friends to view pics of your racing just send them a web link to the pics. That way you can share them with others and I at least get another click on my website views, thanks.

There is also a Buy Now button (a gentle reminder!)
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF AN EXCITING KART MEETING

The sands of Vazon Bay were in near perfect condition for Round 3 of the Guernsey Motor Cycle & Car Club 2021 Sand Racing championship.

Officials had made full use of the dry and quite level beach by marking out a huge track. The outer oval extended well towards the rocks on the 'wet bend'... which wasn't wet this time!

With such a large outer track the twisty infield circuit allowed the MX bikers a bit more freedom.

Sadly there were only two 'Sliders' but a full entry of MX bikes ensured there was non-stop action for the spectators.

My pics are now online here:
CLICK TO VIEW THE LATEST SAND RACING ACTION