Client: CAR Magazine
Location: North Wales
Rallye Sunseeker 2013
For some time now, i've wanted to photograph a rally. Ultimately committed drivers throw their cars around the ever-changing surface in a bid to be the quickest across various stages. With the Rallye Sunseeker on my door step, I headed down to Poole Quay with Jakob Ebrey to cover this year's event.
Fans lined the street for the ceremonial opening, creating a buzz that this sports famous for. Here, you can get closer to the cars and drivers than in any other form of motorsport.
The following morning, Somerley house played host to two special stages. With no room for error, cars literally flew past the house at breakneck speeds.
Further round the stage, Somerley House provided a picturesque backdrop for spectators:
After Stages 3 and 6, we headed back to the service park to catch the teams hard at work:
With Jukka Korhonen set to claim the title of BRC Champion, he looked calm and composed before heading out on the next stage:
A quick trip to the press office to file some images and it was on to the finish line at Poole Quay. As the sun began to set and crowds gathered, it started to look more like Monaco than Dorset!
As cars made their entrance, the Mayor presented the trophies to each of the competitors and celebrations were well underway with Jukka Korhonen and Mark Salminen being crowned the 2013 BRC Champions:
Absolutely loved my first foray into documenting a rally. Next stop WRC Wales?
McLaren P1 and Sergio Perez
in Photoshoot
Each year, one hundred and fifty thousand petrolheads flock to the mecca of motorsport, Goodwood's Festival of Speed. Held over three days, the show (unlike any other) lets fans get up close and personal with iconic cars and celebrities as they hurtle up Lord March's 1.16 mile driveway.
This year saw the FoS celebrate it's 20th Anniversary, whilst McLaren looked back over 50 years of remarkable achievements. From one legendary icon, to McLaren's next? Sergio Perez climbs out of Ayrton Senna's MP4-4 and into the eagerly awaited McLaren P1 hypercar, making it the car's first public debut.
Behind closed doors and with exclusive access, I'm given three minutes to shoot portraits of Checo. Gates unlocked, the car would then weave its way through a sea of spectators before catapulting CAR Magazine's Mark Walton up the hill with McLaren's test driver, Chris Goodwin.
Despite covering 373 miles in two days (most of which before dawn) and spending two full days at the show for just three minutes with famed Formula One driver Sergio Perez, it will remain a career highlight.
The P1 up close is breath-taking, especially in "Amethyst Black" with more exposed carbon fibre than you can shake a stick at.
A mass of intricate details, numerous tell-tale signs show that McLaren's F1 background has engineered the P1 to be a race car for the road. From it's indented nose that channels clean air into the roof-scoop, to the lightweight titanium-alloy wire mesh that surrounds the exhaust. Awesome! To read about Mark's experience in the P1 and see further images, check out October's issue of CAR Magazine.
The Greatest Alfas...
If you haven't picked up a copy of September's CAR Magazine then you only have a week left to do so.
Cars that define a legend, we flew out to Balocco, Italy to re-unite Alfa Romeo's legendary sports cars. From the TZ 'comeback racer' which sounded glorious echoing through the forests of 'misto Alfa':
To the 4.7 V8, 450bhp 8C Competizione which succeeded in shredding it's tyres in a spectacular fashion:
And how could you possibly forget the 12,000rpm screaming 155 V6 TI which enabled Alfa to lay claim of being the only non-German marque to win the DTM title:
The 24 page feature contains 18 of Alfa's greatest cars, including the eagerly anticipated 4C; a supercar for £47k? Be sure to check it out!
Mercedes Benz S Class
in Photoshoot, Published
Car of the moment, or car of the year? When it comes to being at the forefront of technology, Mercedes Benz's S Class could easily (in my opinion) lay claim to being unsurpassed by any other manufacturer.
Step inside the car and a single bulb won't be found. Over 300 LEDs make up this lavish interior, with a 43.5 degree reclining rear seat boasting hot stone massage options.
Mercedes made a pretty bold statement by naming one of their functions 'Magic Comfort Ride'. It's probably something you should experience first hand, as it literally is mind-boggling. The ability to seemingly eradicate speedbumps from the road in front is extremely surreal!
Packed full of cutting-edge technology, to catch a glimpse into the future of motoring, pick up septembers issue of CAR Magazine and read Ben Oliver's article on what sets this car apart from every other.
Lotus Cortina's Golden Anniversary
in Photoshoot
This year marked the 50th anniversary of the iconic race-bred saloon that is the Lotus Cortina. Classic Cars gathered together five examples, each uniquely different, with one even laying claim to having had the great Jim Clark himself behind the wheel.
Shot for the cover, pick up a copy of Septembers Classic Cars Magazine to read the 12 page celebration with every evolution of Cortina track tested and rated:
Laura Tillett
The gorgeous and talented British Formula Renault racing driver that is Miss Laura Tillett. Photographed for the launch of her new website launch, check it out here!
Kia Pro Cee'd GT
in Photoshoot
Coming soon to a Golf GTi's rear mirror? A few weeks back I shot the Kia Pro Cee'd GT in the Cote d'Azur for CAR Magazine. Grab the latest issue to read what Anthony ffrench-Constant made of the all new Korean hot hatch:
Silverstone Young Driver Test
in Events
The thought of spending £20 for an 8 hour symphony of V8's hurtling around Silverstone is an exciting prospect for any F1 fan.
With the 'Young Driver Test' also being confirmed as a Pirelli tyre test, it meant names such as Sebastian Vettel and Felipe Massa could be seen tackling the 3.66 mile circuit.
Susie Wolff was out in force with the Williams F1 FW35, seen above making the most of the available tarmac at Copse Corner.
Despite a technical difficulty in the morning, Gary Paffett's McLaren MP4-28 still managed to lap the Northamptonshire based circuit ~80 times.
That said, the Silverstone Young Driver Test has to be one of the cheapest ways to experience the atmosphere these F1 cars create at speed. If you didn't manage to attend this year, make sure you keep an eye out for the next!
Portfolio update: DB9, S3, Caterham 7 and a 512BB
in Photoshoot, Location, Published
In June's issue of CAR Magazine, a Cobalt Blue Aston Martin DB9 joined the fleet of long termers. I challenge anyone to think of a better way of welcoming a car than heading to the hills of North Wales:
Collecting the car from Aston Martin's factory in Gaydon, the production line filled was with a plethora of expensive metal. Not to mention this menacing Vanquish which sat in the final inspection bay:
Will the 2013 Audi S3 make it into the hot-hatch hall of fame? The 300bhp Quattro packs enough punch to keep up with a 911, how will it fare against the Fiesta ST or Renault Clio? Pick up Issue 611 to find out. Photographed on location in Munich:
Ben Oliver gives us seven reasons why we love the Caterham 7, as the iconic car turns 40. Great to photograph in this lurid colour:
Lastly, in between shooting for CAR Magazine i've been back in the studio, shooting various marques for Studio434. One car in particular stood out, the Ferrari 512BB (Berlinetta Boxer) and it's 12 cylinder engine:
All of these images are now uploaded into the portfolio 'cars' section of my website, be sure to check them out large!