News / Blog

As the headline says... Motorsport in the sun is great fun!

After the damp start to the 2023 Hillclimb season yesterdays offering was much more like it!

It was dry all day at Le Val des Terres and the sun made a pretty good showing too. So I enjoyed the outing as much as the racers.

The records didn't drop in any number which at first I was a little surprised by but after talking to a couple of the faster drivers I learnt that the new tyres supplied this season (by a new manufacturer) will take a little getting used to.

So I'm sure there is more to come yet, but for now that'll do nicely.

All my pics of the racing are now online here:
CLICK TO VIEW THE LATEST GMC&CC HILLCLIMB

When I arrive at St Pierre Park Hotel to photograph an evening of Dinner Boxing only to be told that the two headlining Bouts had been cancelled I am allowed to be a little disappointed!

But I needn't have been. The April Guernsey Dinner Boxing Club night still produced some great entertainment with ten hard fought contests.

The visiting team was from Liverpool and they proved to be very strong.

Bout 11 was due to feature one of the Dinner Boxing Club's favorites, Tom Teers, but sadly his opponent failed to get to Guernsey.

The top Bout of the night was to be a send-off for Billy Le Poullain but I think one of the fighters picked up an injury so that didn't happen either. Maybe sometime soon?

But as I said there was still plenty of action and this Gallery is where to look:
CLICK TO VIEW THE APRIL 2023 DINNER BOXING PICS

I've been catching up with the edit of a couple of photo-shoots.

The latest update features the Guernsey Velo Club's Summer Cross Country event last weekend at L'Ancresse over the Island Games course.

This was a great chance to recce the route... for competitors and photographers too!

There was a good variety of features to challenge riders combining some tight and technical sections then moving on to open sections of the Common. All this was with a beautiful backdrop of L'Ancresse Common and Pembroke Bay.

We have fingers crossed that the day of the Island Games race is bright and sunny as it will be a fantastic setting for a large crowd of spectators. See you all then.... in the sun?!

My pics are online here:
CLICK TO VIEW THE L'ANCRESSE ISLAND GAMES XC COURSE

There was some pretty spectacular racing on the Vazon beach sands today at the Guernsey Motor Cycle & Car Club meeting.

The bike classes produced some close racing but I think the most impressive moment was during a car race.

Steve Marquis, Andy Rosamond and Jamie Queripel were all abreast as they approached the wet bend. Steve had the benefit of the inside line and he wasn't in the mood to give away the advantage so he threw his Ford Focus into a massive drift maintaining his speed whilst negotiating the bend... and missing the tires marking the corner. Great work.

My pics of the racing are now online here:
CLICK TO VIEW RACE 3 OF THE SAND RACING CHAMPIONSHIP

I think the edit of the Lock-in 7 pics rate amongst the biggest that I've done.

The numbers probably rival how many shots I have taken at a three-day music festival covering different stages, a couple of dozen bands together with shots of the atmosphere all spread over many days/hours!

During the Lock-in edit I wondered why I took quite so many pics (over a thousand)... but then when I looked at them the action really was non-stop.... even though the contests only lasted for a maximum of three two minute rounds. Total six minutes!!

But at the end of the day I'm really pleased that I was able to give such a complete coverage.

Also I must say that I really appreciate the amazing support shown by the fighters who have purchased Digital files, prints and Canvases. Thank you.

The final bouts together with the Ring Girls and the Atmosphere have new Galleries here:
CLICK TO VIEW THE COMPLETED LOCK-IN 7 GALLERIES

Cage & Stage Productions returned to Beau Sejour after a few years break with another Lock-in event. This one was No.7 and the best yet!

The evening consisted of fourteen bouts in front of a capacity - and noisy crowd.

The action was non-stop and I was as fatigued as the boxers after chasing the best action shots all night - both up the ladder and through the cage. This was both a challenge and great fun!

These Galleries feature all the Bouts and a feel for the atmosphere. I hope you like them.

PLEASE NOTE that these pics are here for you to LOOK AT - NOT copy/steal for your profiles.

There are options to purchase Digital files which will be higher resolution than the Gallery pics and without the big watermark.

Another way to remember the night is with a print or an amazing Canvas!

Photography is my only income. Please respect that, thanks.

Follow this link to view the very best of Lock-in 7.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF LOCK-IN 7

I popped over to Jersey to photograph the School of Popular Music Easter Elementary Gig at Chambers followed the next day by the students Busking in St Helier.

Whilst this was a new venture for the Jersey branch of SoPM it was soon clear to me that the ethos and ambitions are exactly like the longer established Guernsey School. The teaching is led by a talented and enthusiastic team who encourage the students to try hard and fulfill their ambitions.

There was the same excitement in the young performers and they all felt a great sense of achievement after performing on a 'real' stage and then out on the streets of St Helier.

I can highly recommend SoPM to all parents. You will see your children's confidence grow and it is a great way for them to make new friends and develop new skills.

This Gallery features some of the performances:
CLICK TO VIEW THE NEW SoPM JERSEY EASTER EVENTS

The Guernsey Kart & Motor Club hosted a 2-Day Motocross event including an Inter-Insular competition at the Pleinmont Motocross track on 8th and 9th April 2023.

The racing was close and exciting for the crowd that gathered to enjoy the bright conditions. I reckon we all needed a shower afterwards due to the clouds of dust lifted by the riders!

I've added a huge Gallery of pics featuring loads of the action.... but please remember that they are copyrighted and NOT free to copy.

Maybe you can support my work by purchasing a pic or two? Thanks.

This is a link to the Gallery:
CLICK TO VIEW THE 2023 2-DAY MOTOCROSS MEETING

The 2023 Guernsey Hillclimb season left the startline at the Easter Monday hillclimb organised by the Guernsey Motor Cycle & Car Club at Le Val des Terres.

Frustratingly for competitors there was a wet start to the day and as damp patches remained all day in the esses overall times were affected.

So we all look forward and hope for the perfect track conditions next time. Fingers and spanners crossed!

I still managed to catch loads of the action and a new Gallery is now online here:
CLICK TO VIEW THE GMC&CC EASTER HILLCLIMB ACTION

Easter comes with many traditions attached.

One of those is the annual Keith Falla Memorial Cross Country.

This year the entry seemed as big as ever for the full course laid out around L'Ancresse Common.

It's a couple of years since I was assigned to cover this event and it was great to see that it is still well supported.

My pics of the run can be viewed by clicking on this link:
CLICK TO VIEW THE 2023 KEITH FALLA MEMORIAL XC

The Guernsey Under 15's squad didn't shine in the 2023 Star Trophy Inter-island football on Sunday.

Jersey visited Footes Lane to play Guernsey for the prestigious Trophy.

Sadly for the local side the score went against them with a final result recorded as 0-2.

However perhaps this score didn't fully represent the amount of good play produced by the Guernsey team. Maybe they lacked the last bit of skill to level the score but they didn't let their Island down. They kept up their spirits and continued to work hard right to the final whistle.

Sometimes it simply isn't meant to happen!

I've added my pics to a new Gallery here:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE U!5 STAR TROPHY

It was just what you expect from Kart racing... close and competitive right the way to the checkered flag!

I popped down to The Track to photograph some of the action in Round 3 of the GK&MC Championship.

The pics are online here if you are interested:
CLICK TO VIEW ROUND 3 OF THE 2023 KART CHAMPIONSHIP

GFC secured an impressive win over Southall FC to take the pressure off themselves in the challenge of keeping clear of the league relegation playoffs.... and they did it in incredible style too!!

The scoreline of 4-1 was a true representation of the balance of play. Southall didn't quite know what had hit them!

GFC have well and truly got the ball rolling. Well done guys.

I've added a Gallery featuring some of the action here:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF GFC v SOUTHALL FC

We can't expect every game to be a classic. The National Two East Rugby League is a tough and competitive one.

Sometimes just getting a win is the target. Doing it in style, whilst nice, is not a requirement.

Then there are times that a result suggests a 'greater' performance than actual fact. A scoreline sometimes flatters the play.

But really does it matter. I think not. Supporters of Guernsey Raiders will take a 50-31 scoreline anytime even if it comes wrapped in a somewhat inconsistant performance!

I've added a Gallery of pics here:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF RAIDERS v ROCHFORD HUNDRED

On Saturday the Channel Island Mower Racing Association organized a race meeting in a St Andrews field. I popped along.

I haven't caught up with one of their race meetings for a while. But I was soon reminded what good fun this motorsport provides. It's competitive, fast and noisy... it ticks all the boxes!

And it is a cheap option compared to other classes of Motorsport. Highly recommended!

I also learnt that it is a true International sport with events on the 2023 UK National calendar due to feature racers from around the world.

If you've been looking for an affordable class of motorsport that still gives you a rush and thrill... you've just found it!

Take a look at my Galleries to be convinced!
CLICK TO VIEW THE LATEST MOWER RACING GALLERY

It was very pleasant up at La Pomare on Sunday for Round 7 of the GVC Winter MTB XC series. The dry and sunny conditions were very welcome.

It was just a shame that I didn't have a little more time at the event to capture a few more 'angles'. But it was still worth the trip!

I had to dash off to complete a photo-shoot for an upcoming event. It's one of my favorite Sports events to photograph... but a real challenge too!

I'll be posting more info soon. Keep an eye open on this Blog.

The MTB XC pics are now online here:
CLICK TO VIEW ROUND 7 OF THE MTB XC SERIES

With 10 Bouts on the bill for the March Guernsey Dinner Boxing Club night at St Pierre Park Hotel it was always going to be a busy one!

The format followed a familiar route with the opening bouts featuring young novice boxers in 'skills contests'. These are valuable first experiences for future champions to get a feel what it's like to have a crowd shouting out encouragement.

After the openers it was down to the serious business with the Guernsey team taking on the visitors from Hull.

I've now uploaded all 10 Bouts of action to a new Gallery on my website if you want to take a look.

Please Tag and Share this post so we can get the word out to all the boxers. Thanks.

Here are the pics:
CLICK TO VIEW THE BOXING GALLERY - GUERNSEY v HULL

Nobody can deny that supporting GFC can be a little like riding a roller-coaster sometimes!

Today was a good example when our local side hosted Chipstead at Footes Lane in the Isthmian South Central League.

The first half was quite uninspiring from both sides but the teams returned to the pitch after halftime with ambitions to take a win. The game came alive and GFC had to pull back a goal deficit twice as Chipstead piled on pressure.

Once again a visiting side (when in the lead) pulled every trick in the book to waste time making GFC supporters fear we wouldn't get opportunity to score again.

But, our star player, yes you guessed it, Ross Allen produced his magic on the 90th minute to send Chipstead home with just one point!

The result for GFC felt as good as a win!

My pics of the game are now online here:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF GFC v CHIPSTEAD

The 2023 Guernsey Motor Cycle & Car Club 2-Day Trials event was really well supported this year. Even though, sadly, the French contingent was unable to join us due to Condor Ferries cancelling the sailing!

The French were certainly missed but our Jersey cousins had made the effort to get over... even though they also had disruption with the delivery of their bikes. I believe they might have visited the UK on the way to Guernsey! You really can't make it up!

But, in the end, things fell into place and the resilient Trials bunch were able to get out to play.

They are certainly a 'hard-core' bunch as Day-1 was, from my viewpoint, a pretty miserable affair. Don't misunderstand me, I enjoyed being out on the sections taking pics. It was just that it was so bleak, misty, damp, muddy and tiring.

The toughest sections seemed to be down in the cliff-side valley at Todders. I said 'seemed' as due to the mist all I could see from the top were vague shapes through the mist then the revving of engines as the riders tried to pull themselves out of the valley up the very slippery slopes.

Remarkably most of them could still raise a weary smile at the top. Maybe that was just relief that they would eventually be able to take a nice warm shower... together with a beer or six!

Day two was, in comparison, like chalk and cheese. For this we all headed to the North with the majority of the sections set up around L'Ancresse Common. The weather was dry until near the end and mud and slippery slopes were just a memory.

It was a fitting end to an exhausting and busy weekend... that's just the sort we enjoy most, isn't it!

I've added Galleries for the two days of Trials if you are interested. Click the link to view them:
CLICK TO VIEW THE 2023 2-DAY TRIALS

Today's Guernsey Velo Club Road Race on the L'Eree Circuit was held in conditions that were particularly tough along the coast road section where the combination of a high tide and strong winds meant an uncomfortable ride for competitors.

Surprisingly a few of them still managed a smile for the cameraman!

As for myself, well I managed to stay dry.... I'm not daft!

I've uploaded a few pics to a new Gallery here:
CLICK TO VIEW THE L'EREE CIRCUIT ROAD RACE