Motorsports Photography

In the early 1970's, my Dad thought he would take my brother and I to the Can-Am Challenge at Mosport for something different. We all enjoyed it so much that we went back to the Formula One Grand Prix later that same year. The visit to the Canadian Grand Prix became an annual event for a number of years for us, until it was no longer held there. Rather than miss a GP, my Dad decided we should visit the Watkins Glen circuit in beautiful upstate New York. While it was spectacular, it was fairly cold on most October GP weekends. In fact, it was not uncommon for us to wake up to see the puddles of rain had frozen over night!

Gilles Villeneuve, Watkins Glen, NY, 1980 using 200mm lens.

When I had saved enough money from my part time jobs, I bought a brand new 35mm camera. The sole purpose was to take pictures at the race track. As I got older and had a little bit more money, I began to travel to more race tracks, either for CART , Formula One or Can-Am events. Within a couple of years, I had visited Detroit, Michigan International Speedway, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Mid-Ohio, Laguna Seca and the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal.

While these international events are incredible to spectate at, they are very limited for an amateur photographer without access to press credentials. I have found that some of these events actually sell a Photographer's Pass that will grant you access to many more photographic opportunities than purchasing a seat would. I would much rather spend $165 on one of these photo passes that will allow you to move around and get great action shots than spend $100 to sit in the same seat for three days! This is particularly true of most "Street Races".

Danny Sullivan at Toronto Indy. Using 28mm lens at 1/30th sec.

Two of the best venues that I have visited for photographing various races are definitely Mid-Ohio and Mosport(Ontario). These road courses, with their natural terrain make them great places to shoot with minimal obstructions. This is changing, however, as more of these facilities construct fencing around certain areas of the tracks to protect spectators from possible danger.

An even better, and cheaper, way to enjoy photographing motorsports is at the amateur level. Most racing facilities are frequently used by various racing clubs and organizations when not being used for high profile events. Attending an amateur race weekend will open up tremendous photo opportunities because there are very few spectators and very little security to limit your access. For example, they are great to practice the close-up shots of drivers in open wheel Formula Fords or Formula Vees, or the interior shots of the driver strapped into a closed wheel car. Try to do that at a Grand Prix or Trans-Am event!

Try to get this close to a $1 million Porsche at a Professional event! Taken at an Ontario Regional event with a 17mm lens.

Most racing facilities post their complete schedule on their websites, but to be certain, either email them or phone to find out when amateur events will be held.

The cost to attend these is usually between $10 to $ 25 for the entire weekend. The competition in each class is remarkable! These weekend warriors are usually interested in purchasing photos of themselves - assuming your photos are of excellent quality. In fact, I took the following photo of one such amateur racer while he was getting ready to run at a support race for the Canadian Grand Prix quite a few years ago. At the next event, I approached him to see if he was interested in this, and some action photos I had taken. He was very interested, and although he no longer races we remain friends today!

Larry Barnett preparing to race his Honda Civic, 28 mm lens.

Remember, all of the big names started out in the lower ranks of amateur racing and worked their way to the top.

In addition to Superbikes, I have photographed cars in Can-Am, Trans-Am, CART and Formula One, but the most challenging motorsports event to cover is definitely motocross. In car racing, the cars will usually stay within the confines of the pavement of the race track, but in motocross, there is an added element: AIR.

Motocross racers can do some amazing maneuvers in mid-air. Sometimes completely in control and sometimes with no control at all!

The motocross season here in Ontario runs from April to October, with an event virtually every Sunday. To see a schedule for southern Ontario go to CMRC Racing.

Just as in amateur car racing, motocross allows for excellent, but very challenging photographic opportunities and admission is very inexpensive. The racers range from 5 to 50 years old and include many women. Beware, however, that motocross is very dangerous as I have seen riders (and their bikes) end up on the WRONG side of the spectator fence.

Motocrosser Jess Webster, taken using a 135 mm lens at 1/250th sec.

While shooting motocross, make certain to NEVER turn your back to the action!

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