tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-318622752024-02-06T19:51:40.865-08:00AutoMotoPhoto:: MotoGP :: Professional Motorcycle Photographer :: World Superbike ::Andrew Wheelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01423229982532678792noreply@blogger.comBlogger132125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31862275.post-58031729823262396662012-03-24T13:57:00.001-07:002012-03-24T14:18:27.403-07:00MotoGP 2011 rewind and review @dstoresf Dainese D-Store San Francisco<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bqiW7Oq8O94/T24p2poPF_I/AAAAAAAAC50/l5t4kMXqLwQ/s1600/120316200135_aw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="253" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bqiW7Oq8O94/T24p2poPF_I/AAAAAAAAC50/l5t4kMXqLwQ/s400/120316200135_aw.jpg" width="450" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Fireside MotoGP evening photo with yours truly courtesy of Jules Cisek aka PopMonkey</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The evening was set for Friday March 16, at the rather huge and plush <a href="http://wee.im/628bqL" target="_blank"><span style="color: orange;">Dainese D-Store in San Francisco</span></a>. That day, storms decided to hit the Central Coast and the Bay Area with a vengeance. As my wife Emily and I set off from our little village of Capitola we had resigned ourselves to an evening that might be a little more intimate in terms of attendance than a crowd...by the time we inched our way through the traffic that always backs up for the Bay Bridge, we arrived at the store around 6.20pm. Kick off was 6.30. After running back and forth with computer bags, my Hawaiian shirt, plus the <a href="http://wee.im/nDIn2y" target="_blank"><span style="color: orange;">artwork</span></a>, prints and my <a href="http://wee.im/OxHy3C" target="_blank"><span style="color: orange;">Marco Simoncelli 58 of #58 books</span></a> I brought for people to look at and possibly purchase we had arrived...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Well, shut the front door! If there wasn't a huge crowd of people there (it was mentioned to me that possibly as many people as there were in attendance for the visits by Marco Simoncelli and Jorge Lorenzo! Totally humbled!) Shelli, the lovely manager of the store, mentioned that she thought that due to the weather that there wouldn't be the number of people that were actually there, and as it turned out they didn't have enough seating for everyone. A rough guess put the numbers around 40 plus. Which just goes to show what a hardy bunch we NorCal motorcycle racing fans are...no rain is gonna put a damper in an evening of MotoGP (and of course beer kindly supplied by Peroni as well as some tasty pizza). What was evening more humbling was people kept on arriving...and no-one got bored and left --- phew!! After a brief karaoke moment whilst I figured out the microphone, and with some minor hiccups involving my laptop and the syncing of the slideshow we went around the world with yours truly accompanied by some travel images, and a handful of my favourite shots from all fourteen MotoGP races I covered in 2011.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The whole "show" last a little over two hours. With some good humour thrown in along with many great questions being asked it made the weather irrelevant! Hopefully the answers were as good as the questions! Shelli deemed the whole evening a success, and I too was thrilled by the response and of course the turnout, especially for such a dour evening. Meeting up with likeminded people all fans of motorcycle racing and photography, and many of whom are good friends and as a result making new friends during the evening was extremely special. Being accompanied by my wonderful wife Emily made it moreso....</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I think we'll be doing something similar later this year. So make sure to "like" the <a href="http://wee.im/3uhRn4" target="_blank"><span style="color: orange;">Dainese D-Store Facebook</span></a> page as well as my <a href="http://wee.im/KF77Ob" target="_blank"><span style="color: orange;">Andrew Wheeler - AutoMotoPhoto FaceBook</span></a> page for updates that will be posted throughout the upcoming MotoGP 2012 season. </div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Thanks again to all who attended. It was a special evening for me and I hope for all of you.</div></div>Andrew Wheelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01423229982532678792noreply@blogger.com0San Francisco, CA 94103, USA37.7726402 -122.4099153999999937.7603957 -122.42533789999999 37.7848847 -122.39449289999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31862275.post-49489826472353874822012-03-11T12:32:00.002-07:002012-03-11T12:45:49.676-07:00On The Road with Andrew Wheeler! AKA me! @DSTORESF D-Store San Francisco March 16.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Now that we're all caught up, I'm very happy to announce....<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-onJksdByeJY/T1z5fERT1DI/AAAAAAAAC4o/l5Uyq4uYodo/s1600/742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-onJksdByeJY/T1z5fERT1DI/AAAAAAAAC4o/l5Uyq4uYodo/s1600/742.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">The official flyer pretty much spells it out. On Friday March 16, from 6.30-8.30pm I will providing an insight and visual treat (and of course banter) at the </span><a href="http://www.dstoresanfrancisco.com/" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank"><span style="color: orange;">Dainese Store</span></a><span style="text-align: left;"> located </span><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=131+South+Van+Ness+Avenue,+San+Francisco,+CA+94103&hl=en&sll=37.37433,-122.186735&sspn=1.501657,1.837463&t=v&gl=us&hnear=131+S+Van+Ness+Ave,+San+Francisco,+California+94103&z=16" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank"><span style="color: orange;">here in San Francisco</span></a><span style="text-align: left;">. I will also a have a few items on sale for those attending and of course you can also order items directly. To help relieve you with some serious shopping therapy I do accept credit cards!! Bring your questions and let's have a good evening a couple of weeks ahead of the MotoGP season opener in Qatar!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">There will be refreshments and food provided! If you're local and would like to sign up there is a <span style="color: orange;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/370933309591627/" target="_blank"><span style="color: orange;">FaceBook event sign up located here</span></a> </span>I look forward to seeing you this coming Friday!</div></div>Andrew Wheelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01423229982532678792noreply@blogger.com0San Francisco, CA, USA37.7749295 -122.4194155000000137.656712 -122.80934450000001 37.893147 -122.02948650000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31862275.post-27913250601174992062012-03-10T16:21:00.001-08:002012-03-10T16:24:21.566-08:00Andrew Wheeler, AutoMotoPhoto and MotoGP. Part4 Catching Up.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkGNqp2Il__LKEWY5eefa8rLFXEeeCkSPW5t7BgrPLS3yNXP7VYnsn3ukOYmBy8XumyVagIxYNAZG0madtWUKVA9jF1Sghn_c6n312ZeC8hqjeui1Z9b2oAKa4Qc2tHBPqSKuuiw/s1600/5000_FB_LIKERS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkGNqp2Il__LKEWY5eefa8rLFXEeeCkSPW5t7BgrPLS3yNXP7VYnsn3ukOYmBy8XumyVagIxYNAZG0madtWUKVA9jF1Sghn_c6n312ZeC8hqjeui1Z9b2oAKa4Qc2tHBPqSKuuiw/s200/5000_FB_LIKERS.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">5037 "likes" as of March 10, 2012</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">It's been a few weeks since we passed this little milestone of 5000 "Likers". As I'm catching up with everything MotoGP related before the season kicks off in a few weeks and especially how it relates to what I do as a photographer, I wanted to also add a huge THANK YOU to all who like and interact on my Facebook page at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/andrewwheeler.automotophoto" target="_blank"><span style="color: orange;">Andrew Wheeler - AutoMotoPhoto</span></a> . It's always a pleasure to be able to interact with like minded people, and even more of a pleasure to meet people out "on the road" when at a race track. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I hope to meet more people who are part of this movement and who help make the friendships that exist with <a href="https://twitter.com/automotophoto" style="color: orange;" target="_blank">@automotophoto on Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/andrewwheeler.automotophoto" target="_blank"><span style="color: orange;">Andrew Wheeler - AutoMotoPhoto</span></a> and now on <a href="http://ink361.com/automotophoto" target="_blank"><span style="color: orange;">Instagram</span></a> a tangible reality starting with RD1 at Qatar and then onto Jerez and Estoril, and on through the rest of 2012.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MG5WynkLm_M/T1vs5YlhvnI/AAAAAAAAC4Y/0Jjsxa-anOY/s1600/Emily+Wheeler+-+VR46+Fan.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MG5WynkLm_M/T1vs5YlhvnI/AAAAAAAAC4Y/0Jjsxa-anOY/s200/Emily+Wheeler+-+VR46+Fan.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Emily and VR46 OFC t-shirt. You go girl</span>!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As I'm having a "personal update" I'd also like to share some good-ish news with regards to my wife Emily who is dealing with Stage4 colon cancer. After a rather unexpected brief sojourn into hospital for a little side effect that got a little out of hand, in part due to the fact that the chemotherapy drugs were actually doing their work and attacking/inflaming the tumor in her colon and creating the issue, following the tests they undertook during her short stay it transpired that in the words of her oncologist, that it looks like "we're hopefully turning a corner". Now if you know anything about Doctors who work in this world you'll know they're not the purveyors of false hope. The goal being to have the tumor reduces significantly to have it removed sometime later this year and apparently we're on track. This is by no means easy on Emily and at times I feel terribly helpless because she has been in an awful lot of pain especially during the "side effect" weekend. But, as of today it does appear that things are normalising again. With that I'd like to extend a huge THANK YOU to all who have sent us emails, messages through FB or simply posted words of encouragement and support. It means so much to us. Thank you.</div></div>Andrew Wheelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01423229982532678792noreply@blogger.com0Capitola, CA, USA36.9752283 -121.9532930000000336.965750299999996 -121.97491600000004 36.9847063 -121.93167000000003tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31862275.post-89945775218462307072012-02-22T15:18:00.003-08:002012-02-22T15:22:18.843-08:00Andrew Wheeler, AutoMotoPhoto and MotoGP. Part3 Catching Up.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;">Some of you who are "Likers" on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/andrewwheeler.automotophoto" target="_blank">Andrew Wheeler - AutoMotoPhoto</a> page <a href="https://www.facebook.com/andrewwheeler.automotophoto" target="_blank">here</a> on Facebook would have seen or viewed the individual rider galleries I put together to keep us warm and interested over those cold winter nights...(doesn't that sound all squishy warm and fuzzy?) </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Well, I figured that not everyone is on Facebook, and so they're worth sharing here. I'll most likely be adding a few more to the Facebook page between now and Qatar just to get people in the mood for the new season, but in the interim here are the galleries. To search or view nearly 20K images from the AMA, World Superbike and MotoGP you can also <a href="http://archive.automotophoto.com/" target="_blank">visit my archive</a> and create your own lightbox, search for any rider..you name it, you can almost do it all. <br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Except download. For that you'll have to pay me! =)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Starting off this collection of slideshows is the 2011 MotoGP World Champion, Casey Stoner...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" height="375" width="500"><param name="movie" value="http://www.photoshelter.com/swf/CSlideShow.swf?feedSRC=http%3A//archive.automotophoto.com/gallery/CASEY-STONER-MOTGP-WORLD-CHAMPION-2011/G0000mOsRgXekxUA%3Ffeed%3Djson"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="false"></param><param name="bgColor" value="#AAAAAA"></param><param name="flashvars" value="target=_self&f_l=f&f_fscr=f&f_tb=f&f_bb=t&f_bbl=f&f_fss=f&f_2up=t&f_crp=f&f_wm=t&f_s2f=t&f_emb=t&f_cap=t&f_sln=t&imgT=f&cred=iptc&trans=xfade&f_link=f&f_smooth=t&f_mtrx=t&tbs=5000&f_ap=t&f_up=f&btype=old&bcolor=%23CCCCCC"></param><!--[if !IE]><!--><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://www.photoshelter.com/swf/CSlideShow.swf?feedSRC=http%3A//archive.automotophoto.com/gallery/CASEY-STONER-MOTGP-WORLD-CHAMPION-2011/G0000mOsRgXekxUA%3Ffeed%3Djson" width="500" height="375" ><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="false"></param><param name="bgColor" value="#AAAAAA"></param><param name="flashvars" value="target=_self&f_l=f&f_fscr=f&f_tb=f&f_bb=t&f_bbl=f&f_fss=f&f_2up=t&f_crp=f&f_wm=t&f_s2f=t&f_emb=t&f_cap=t&f_sln=t&imgT=f&cred=iptc&trans=xfade&f_link=f&f_smooth=t&f_mtrx=t&tbs=5000&f_ap=t&f_up=f&btype=old&bcolor=%23CCCCCC"></param><!--<![endif]--><a href="http://archive.automotophoto.com/gallery/CASEY-STONER-MOTGP-WORLD-CHAMPION-2011/G0000mOsRgXekxUA"><img src="http://www.photoshelter.com/gal-kimg-get/G0000mOsRgXekxUA/s/500/375" alt="" /></a><!--[if !IE]><!--></object><!--<![endif]--></object></div>Not forgetting that man in yellow...Mr 46 himself. Valentino Rossi...<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" height="375" width="500"><param name="movie" value="http://www.photoshelter.com/swf/CSlideShow.swf?feedSRC=http%3A//archive.automotophoto.com/gallery/VALENTINO-ROSSI-MOTOGP-DUCATI-PILOTE-2011-RETROSPECTIVE/G0000j4xIFUxCPVM%3Ffeed%3Djson"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="false"></param><param name="bgColor" value="#AAAAAA"></param><param name="flashvars" value="target=_self&f_l=f&f_fscr=f&f_tb=f&f_bb=t&f_bbl=f&f_fss=f&f_2up=t&f_crp=f&f_wm=t&f_s2f=t&f_emb=t&f_cap=t&f_sln=t&imgT=f&cred=iptc&trans=xfade&f_link=f&f_smooth=t&f_mtrx=t&tbs=5000&f_ap=t&f_up=f&btype=old&bcolor=%23CCCCCC"></param><!--[if !IE]><!--><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://www.photoshelter.com/swf/CSlideShow.swf?feedSRC=http%3A//archive.automotophoto.com/gallery/VALENTINO-ROSSI-MOTOGP-DUCATI-PILOTE-2011-RETROSPECTIVE/G0000j4xIFUxCPVM%3Ffeed%3Djson" width="500" height="375" ><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="false"></param><param name="bgColor" value="#AAAAAA"></param><param name="flashvars" value="target=_self&f_l=f&f_fscr=f&f_tb=f&f_bb=t&f_bbl=f&f_fss=f&f_2up=t&f_crp=f&f_wm=t&f_s2f=t&f_emb=t&f_cap=t&f_sln=t&imgT=f&cred=iptc&trans=xfade&f_link=f&f_smooth=t&f_mtrx=t&tbs=5000&f_ap=t&f_up=f&btype=old&bcolor=%23CCCCCC"></param><!--<![endif]--><a href="http://archive.automotophoto.com/gallery/VALENTINO-ROSSI-MOTOGP-DUCATI-PILOTE-2011-RETROSPECTIVE/G0000j4xIFUxCPVM"><img src="http://www.photoshelter.com/gal-kimg-get/G0000j4xIFUxCPVM/s/500/375" alt="" /></a><!--[if !IE]><!--></object><!--<![endif]--></object></div>Then we went to take a look back over Ben Spies' 2011 in MotoGP.....<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" height="375" width="500"><param name="movie" value="http://www.photoshelter.com/swf/CSlideShow.swf?feedSRC=http%3A//archive.automotophoto.com/gallery/BEN-SPIES-FACTORY-YAMAHA-PILOTE-2011-RETROSPECTIVE/G0000svOThXDTkd8%3Ffeed%3Djson"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="false"></param><param name="bgColor" value="#AAAAAA"></param><param name="flashvars" value="target=_self&f_l=f&f_fscr=f&f_tb=f&f_bb=t&f_bbl=f&f_fss=f&f_2up=t&f_crp=f&f_wm=t&f_s2f=t&f_emb=t&f_cap=t&f_sln=t&imgT=f&cred=iptc&trans=xfade&f_link=f&f_smooth=t&f_mtrx=t&tbs=5000&f_ap=t&f_up=f&btype=old&bcolor=%23CCCCCC"></param><!--[if !IE]><!--><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://www.photoshelter.com/swf/CSlideShow.swf?feedSRC=http%3A//archive.automotophoto.com/gallery/BEN-SPIES-FACTORY-YAMAHA-PILOTE-2011-RETROSPECTIVE/G0000svOThXDTkd8%3Ffeed%3Djson" width="500" height="375" ><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="false"></param><param name="bgColor" value="#AAAAAA"></param><param name="flashvars" value="target=_self&f_l=f&f_fscr=f&f_tb=f&f_bb=t&f_bbl=f&f_fss=f&f_2up=t&f_crp=f&f_wm=t&f_s2f=t&f_emb=t&f_cap=t&f_sln=t&imgT=f&cred=iptc&trans=xfade&f_link=f&f_smooth=t&f_mtrx=t&tbs=5000&f_ap=t&f_up=f&btype=old&bcolor=%23CCCCCC"></param><!--<![endif]--><a href="http://archive.automotophoto.com/gallery/BEN-SPIES-FACTORY-YAMAHA-PILOTE-2011-RETROSPECTIVE/G0000svOThXDTkd8"><img src="http://www.photoshelter.com/gal-kimg-get/G0000svOThXDTkd8/s/500/375" alt="" /></a><!--[if !IE]><!--></object><!--<![endif]--></object></div>The talented and charming factory Ducati rider Nicky Hayden....<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" height="375" width="500"><param name="movie" value="http://www.photoshelter.com/swf/CSlideShow.swf?feedSRC=http%3A//archive.automotophoto.com/gallery/NICKY-HAYDEN-DUCATI-PILOTE-2011/G0000YbjjPj1NHUs%3Ffeed%3Djson"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="false"></param><param name="bgColor" value="#AAAAAA"></param><param name="flashvars" value="target=_self&f_l=f&f_fscr=f&f_tb=f&f_bb=t&f_bbl=f&f_fss=f&f_2up=t&f_crp=f&f_wm=t&f_s2f=t&f_emb=t&f_cap=t&f_sln=t&imgT=f&cred=iptc&trans=xfade&f_link=f&f_smooth=t&f_mtrx=t&tbs=5000&f_ap=t&f_up=f&btype=old&bcolor=%23CCCCCC"></param><!--[if !IE]><!--><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://www.photoshelter.com/swf/CSlideShow.swf?feedSRC=http%3A//archive.automotophoto.com/gallery/NICKY-HAYDEN-DUCATI-PILOTE-2011/G0000YbjjPj1NHUs%3Ffeed%3Djson" width="500" height="375" ><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="false"></param><param name="bgColor" value="#AAAAAA"></param><param name="flashvars" value="target=_self&f_l=f&f_fscr=f&f_tb=f&f_bb=t&f_bbl=f&f_fss=f&f_2up=t&f_crp=f&f_wm=t&f_s2f=t&f_emb=t&f_cap=t&f_sln=t&imgT=f&cred=iptc&trans=xfade&f_link=f&f_smooth=t&f_mtrx=t&tbs=5000&f_ap=t&f_up=f&btype=old&bcolor=%23CCCCCC"></param><!--<![endif]--><a href="http://archive.automotophoto.com/gallery/NICKY-HAYDEN-DUCATI-PILOTE-2011/G0000YbjjPj1NHUs"><img src="http://www.photoshelter.com/gal-kimg-get/G0000YbjjPj1NHUs/s/500/375" alt="" /></a><!--[if !IE]><!--></object><!--<![endif]--></object></div>The rather talented Alvaro Bautista aboard the factory Rizla Suzuki in it's last year of MotoGP (for now). They'll be missed this year. But Alvaro did a great job, as did the team....<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" height="375" width="500"><param name="movie" value="http://www.photoshelter.com/swf/CSlideShow.swf?feedSRC=http%3A//archive.automotophoto.com/gallery/ALVARO-BAUTISTA-SUZUKI-PILOTE-2011-RETROSPECTIVE/G00007gSUFVrTYP4%3Ffeed%3Djson"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="false"></param><param name="bgColor" value="#AAAAAA"></param><param name="flashvars" value="target=_self&f_l=f&f_fscr=f&f_tb=f&f_bb=t&f_bbl=f&f_fss=f&f_2up=t&f_crp=f&f_wm=t&f_s2f=t&f_emb=t&f_cap=t&f_sln=t&imgT=f&cred=iptc&trans=xfade&f_link=f&f_smooth=t&f_mtrx=t&tbs=5000&f_ap=t&f_up=f&btype=old&bcolor=%23CCCCCC"></param><!--[if !IE]><!--><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://www.photoshelter.com/swf/CSlideShow.swf?feedSRC=http%3A//archive.automotophoto.com/gallery/ALVARO-BAUTISTA-SUZUKI-PILOTE-2011-RETROSPECTIVE/G00007gSUFVrTYP4%3Ffeed%3Djson" width="500" height="375" ><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="false"></param><param name="bgColor" value="#AAAAAA"></param><param name="flashvars" value="target=_self&f_l=f&f_fscr=f&f_tb=f&f_bb=t&f_bbl=f&f_fss=f&f_2up=t&f_crp=f&f_wm=t&f_s2f=t&f_emb=t&f_cap=t&f_sln=t&imgT=f&cred=iptc&trans=xfade&f_link=f&f_smooth=t&f_mtrx=t&tbs=5000&f_ap=t&f_up=f&btype=old&bcolor=%23CCCCCC"></param><!--<![endif]--><a href="http://archive.automotophoto.com/gallery/ALVARO-BAUTISTA-SUZUKI-PILOTE-2011-RETROSPECTIVE/G00007gSUFVrTYP4"><img src="http://www.photoshelter.com/gal-kimg-get/G00007gSUFVrTYP4/s/500/375" alt="" /></a><!--[if !IE]><!--></object><!--<![endif]--></object></div>...and by coincidence here follows a little something from the waaay back machine when the current AMA champion Ben Spies tested at Indianapolis for the Rizla Suzuki MotoGP team..<br />
<div><div style="text-align: center;"><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" height="375" width="500"><param name="movie" value="http://www.photoshelter.com/swf/CSlideShow.swf?feedSRC=http%3A//archive.automotophoto.com/gallery/BEN-SPIES-FACTORY-SUZUKI-WILDCARD-RETROSPECTIVE/G0000Gb1B16Bk4iY%3Ffeed%3Djson"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="false"></param><param name="bgColor" value="#AAAAAA"></param><param name="flashvars" value="target=_self&f_l=f&f_fscr=f&f_tb=f&f_bb=t&f_bbl=f&f_fss=f&f_2up=t&f_crp=f&f_wm=t&f_s2f=t&f_emb=t&f_cap=t&f_sln=t&imgT=f&cred=iptc&trans=xfade&f_link=f&f_smooth=t&f_mtrx=t&tbs=5000&f_ap=t&f_up=f"></param><!--[if !IE]><!--><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://www.photoshelter.com/swf/CSlideShow.swf?feedSRC=http%3A//archive.automotophoto.com/gallery/BEN-SPIES-FACTORY-SUZUKI-WILDCARD-RETROSPECTIVE/G0000Gb1B16Bk4iY%3Ffeed%3Djson" width="500" height="375" ><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="false"></param><param name="bgColor" value="#AAAAAA"></param><param name="flashvars" value="target=_self&f_l=f&f_fscr=f&f_tb=f&f_bb=t&f_bbl=f&f_fss=f&f_2up=t&f_crp=f&f_wm=t&f_s2f=t&f_emb=t&f_cap=t&f_sln=t&imgT=f&cred=iptc&trans=xfade&f_link=f&f_smooth=t&f_mtrx=t&tbs=5000&f_ap=t&f_up=f"></param><!--<![endif]--><a href="http://archive.automotophoto.com/gallery/BEN-SPIES-FACTORY-SUZUKI-WILDCARD-RETROSPECTIVE/G0000Gb1B16Bk4iY"><img src="http://www.photoshelter.com/gal-kimg-get/G0000Gb1B16Bk4iY/s/500/375" alt="" /></a><!--[if !IE]><!--></object><!--<![endif]--></object></div></div><div><br />
All the galleries and the images contained can be shared on FB or on Twitter, as can the galleries so don't hold back. Feel free to share. Also, prints can be purchased. Just send me an email if there's something that grabs you...more to come...!</div></div>Andrew Wheelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01423229982532678792noreply@blogger.com0Europe54.5259614 15.25511870000002530.1237764 -35.831281299999972 78.9281464 66.341518700000023tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31862275.post-55389256274084985172012-02-21T13:20:00.000-08:002012-02-21T13:21:13.393-08:00Andrew Wheeler, AutoMotoPhoto and MotoGP. Part2 Catching Up.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1745477929"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcl4Onytumr9AHH2hyOn_iA_gwLSqE-XS8_x10uDQ0-j9Mx6Gp7UJ41WS_NRIgZZEof4LzBHW3vSaJ_JdybdHhIC2bARs1uaYcHYqwADj3QQCIvuRoHNjgB6Xzx_K88O4ssxtfhQ/s400/CS27_VLC_2011_AMPWEB.jpeg" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://automotophoto.com/" target="_blank">Casey Stoner MotoGP Wold Champion Valencia 2011</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="text-align: justify;">Over 105 motorcycling events (and some retro car images from CART and F1) are now contained within the cyber-walls of my now up-to-date website, </span><a href="http://www.automotophoto.com/" style="text-align: justify;" target="_blank">AutoMotoPhoto</a>.<span style="text-align: justify;"> Possibly one of the largest publicly accessible collection of motorcycle racing images on the web. Covering more than a handful of races from all three major racing series that I have been fortunate enough to cover including, AMA, World Superbike (WSBK) and of course MotoGP. I typically like to up date the last few races of the year in the following year as it gives everyone something to look at during the quiet periods we all face, as well as it gives me a little time to reflect on what I have covered and to see how I can improve for the upcoming season.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Fortunately I have been accredited for a hard card for the 2012 season in MotoGP and as always am extremely grateful for the acceptance. It doesn't come easy. But I am grateful to every outlet, magazine and editor that chooses my work to enhance their publications.<br />
<br />
Okay....more updates to come. I have to nip out.</div></div>Andrew Wheelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01423229982532678792noreply@blogger.com2Europe54.5259614 15.25511870000002530.1237764 -35.831281299999972 78.9281464 66.341518700000023tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31862275.post-85876404894332756182012-02-21T12:54:00.000-08:002012-02-21T12:54:32.015-08:00Andrew Wheeler, AutoMotoPhoto and MotoGP. Part1 Catching Up.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKsg-0sklXHc3g7WhFosahw1R3QhBOXom9NWJU1ujk1byK9QWPIafHEg0hLgRLHb3B_WPHW9s-tuOTBEnRq6ZcdACru7wV83J5jnG7_0J1i_UH2AqJy0WxHeJpAEfZqS6VKUQYSw/s1600/419936_10150542581712584_728597583_8891309_1018349642_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKsg-0sklXHc3g7WhFosahw1R3QhBOXom9NWJU1ujk1byK9QWPIafHEg0hLgRLHb3B_WPHW9s-tuOTBEnRq6ZcdACru7wV83J5jnG7_0J1i_UH2AqJy0WxHeJpAEfZqS6VKUQYSw/s320/419936_10150542581712584_728597583_8891309_1018349642_n.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">My beautiful friend - Emily</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">I wouldn't normally share this sort of stuff on here, however, it's important to me, and without Emily I wouldn't be doing this in the first place so I feel a short post, and update might be in order. It's been a few hectic and busy weeks...albeit at home. As some of you may or may not know my wife Emily was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer during the week between Christmas and New Years. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">We have shared the experiences on my personal Facebook page and also on her Facebook page. Right now she is well, the symptoms that have plagued her for the past 8-10 months or so appear to be subsiding (it was thought to have been IBS and simply didn't appear to be what it turned out to be until it had come to a head - nothing like living a healthy lifestyle doing everything right then this cropping up huh?) thus the comfort level is going up with each salvo of chemotherapy. She will be having her third salvo the week after next...and right now it's open ended because of where the tumor and it's "friends" have placed themselves, but the outlook is good, and surgery is the goal. The downside of all of this is simply financial. But regardless, we're fortunate to live where we live here on the West Coast of California close to two of the best cancer research and surgery locations in the world.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">I just wanted to add a little note to my blog to that effect. I love her dearly, and as I said without her encouragement, love and selflessness I wouldn't be doing what I do now. I felt it was right to share here as it's as she is my life. Many of whom in the industry know Emily because she has been with me through the AMA days, the World Superbike days and now the MotoGP days and we have received and continue to receive words of encouragement, love and gifts from all over the world. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I would like to take this moment to publicly thank everyone for the support. It means so much to us. The world of motorcycling, and racing has the coolest, most caring people I have ever met.</div></div>Andrew Wheelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01423229982532678792noreply@blogger.com1Capitola, CA, USA36.9752283 -121.9532930000000336.965750299999996 -121.97491600000004 36.9847063 -121.93167000000003tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31862275.post-68141186670599156912012-01-25T12:29:00.000-08:002012-01-25T12:29:24.818-08:0058 of #58 - The Book<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cKNp1f6536Q/TyBjZ-bm3kI/AAAAAAAACkw/TIFJp11nf4o/s1600/58of%252358.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cKNp1f6536Q/TyBjZ-bm3kI/AAAAAAAACkw/TIFJp11nf4o/s320/58of%252358.jpeg" width="316" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">58 of #58 - Marco Simoncelli</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">There has been so much going on in my life recently, especially with my wife Emily's health that I have neglected to update "BlogWorld" with this little book I put together of pictures I have taken of Marco Simoncelli from 2008 through to Malaysia, 2011. It's my little tribute if you like, to someone who didn't follow the corporate model, but was a true racer, with that Barry Sheene flamboyance that seems to have been lost due to everyone worrying about their sponsors. Possibly the natural successor to Rossi? Who knows. The world is full of surprises and "what if's". If you're interested in owning one of these simply click the link </span><a href="http://wee.im/OxHy3C" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">HERE</a><span style="text-align: left;"> to find out more</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div>Andrew Wheelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01423229982532678792noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31862275.post-1454657229480410422012-01-06T11:31:00.000-08:002012-01-06T11:31:03.337-08:00The Shorty Awards...in Photography!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">It's that time of year again and so I kindly ask for your support in this little annual fun event!!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://wee.im/XCMaZV" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Nominate Andrew Wheeler for a social media award in the Shorty Awards!" border="0" src="http://cdn.shortyawards.com/images/badges/shorty_badge_125x125_me.png" /></a>Just click on this link <a href="http://wee.im/XCMaZV" target="_blank">to the Photography category page...add a reason after the "because" and "tweet"</a><br />
<br />
Thank you!!<br />
<div style="text-align: center; width: 125px;"><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div></div></div>Andrew Wheelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01423229982532678792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31862275.post-23631033583029311712012-01-04T23:27:00.000-08:002012-01-06T11:23:40.597-08:00Josh Hayes MotoGP - Cycleworld - Racewatch<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">A lightning update here....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPhavF_CyLsZgH5QKnYW-N8j0E620fENtk1Y9CFlAMpBF68_oqC9FfHbW8O2-kaM7rG6sX7-WQ9G0V9JHM7gE4IB03wko_qZI1uqKMTWRxk1K8Y6pjTLFuMvDipdxSK4TQOJu6Pw/s1600/CW_HAYES1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPhavF_CyLsZgH5QKnYW-N8j0E620fENtk1Y9CFlAMpBF68_oqC9FfHbW8O2-kaM7rG6sX7-WQ9G0V9JHM7gE4IB03wko_qZI1uqKMTWRxk1K8Y6pjTLFuMvDipdxSK4TQOJu6Pw/s320/CW_HAYES1.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">My good friend Josh Hayes (accompanied by his wife Melissa) were initially invited by Tech3 Yamaha to ride their bikes following the race weekend at the final MotoGP round at Valencia in Spain last November. After Colin Edwards was injured in the collision that involved Marco Simoncelli and Valentino Rossi, the test ride became a race ride....I photographed and interviewed Josh Hayes for <a href="http://www.cycleworld.com/category/news/racing/" target="_blank">Cycleworld Magazine</a> over the race weekend on his thoughts about Simoncelli, Edwards etc, and his emotions about the opportunity and how he approached the entire adventure...</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div></div>Andrew Wheelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01423229982532678792noreply@blogger.com0Circuit Ricardo Tormo, Autovía A3 Salida 334, 12, 46380 Cheste, Spain39.4856909 -0.627780000000029766.3926033999999987 -60.39340500000003 72.5787784 59.13784499999997tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31862275.post-8754682402317051322012-01-03T13:41:00.000-08:002012-01-03T14:59:07.164-08:00MotoGP - 2011 Season In Pictures - AutoMotoPhoto<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: left;">Happy New Year!<br />
<br />
I'd like to say a big THANK YOU to everyone who views my blog, follows my ramblings<span style="color: #cccccc;"> </span>on Twitter <span style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="http://twitter.com/#!/automotophoto" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cccccc;">@automotophoto</span></a> </span> or is a "Liker" on my Facebook page at "<a href="https://www.facebook.com/andrewwheeler.automotophoto" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Andrew Wheeler-AutoMotoPhoto</span></a>"...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" height="334" width="500"><param name="movie" value="http://www.photoshelter.com/swf/CSlideShow.swf?feedSRC=http%3A//archive.automotophoto.com/gallery/2011-MOTOGP-SEASON-AUTOMOTOPHOTO-REVIEW/G0000IAT9k2j0clw%3Ffeed%3Djson"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="bgColor" value="#AAAAAA"></param><param name="flashvars" value="target=_self&f_l=t&f_fscr=t&f_tb=t&f_bb=t&f_bbl=f&f_fss=f&f_2up=t&f_crp=t&f_wm=t&f_s2f=t&f_emb=t&f_cap=t&f_sln=t&imgT=f&cred=iptc&trans=xfade&f_link=t&f_smooth=f&f_mtrx=t&tbs=3000&f_ap=t&f_up=f&btype=old&bcolor=%23CCCCCC"></param><!--[if !IE]><!--><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://www.photoshelter.com/swf/CSlideShow.swf?feedSRC=http%3A//archive.automotophoto.com/gallery/2011-MOTOGP-SEASON-AUTOMOTOPHOTO-REVIEW/G0000IAT9k2j0clw%3Ffeed%3Djson" width="500" height="334" ><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="bgColor" value="#AAAAAA"></param><param name="flashvars" value="target=_self&f_l=t&f_fscr=t&f_tb=t&f_bb=t&f_bbl=f&f_fss=f&f_2up=t&f_crp=t&f_wm=t&f_s2f=t&f_emb=t&f_cap=t&f_sln=t&imgT=f&cred=iptc&trans=xfade&f_link=t&f_smooth=f&f_mtrx=t&tbs=3000&f_ap=t&f_up=f&btype=old&bcolor=%23CCCCCC"></param><!--<![endif]--><a href="http://archive.automotophoto.com/gallery/2011-MOTOGP-SEASON-AUTOMOTOPHOTO-REVIEW/G0000IAT9k2j0clw"><img src="http://www.photoshelter.com/gal-kimg-get/G0000IAT9k2j0clw/s/500/334" alt="" /></a><!--[if !IE]><!--></object><!--<![endif]--></object></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://archive.automotophoto.com/gallery/2011-MOTOGP-SEASON-AUTOMOTOPHOTO-REVIEW/G0000IAT9k2j0clw">2011 MOTOGP SEASON AUTOMOTOPHOTO REVIEW</a> - Images by <a href="http://archive.automotophoto.com/">Andrew Wheeler | AutoMotoPhoto</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;">I was going to go on and on about Valencia, the last round of the 2011 season but have since decided that the best way to </span><span style="text-align: justify;">summarize</span><span style="text-align: justify;"> the year would be to put together the mother of all slideshows. Starting with round 1 in Qatar and ending up with the final round 18 in Valencia. You'll see a selection of images from each round that I covered (14/18) that hopefully will tell a story. Maybe it's more like a novel. It should hopefully keep you going until at least the season opener at the beginning of April!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">If you wish to view the slideshow full screen simply click on the little "expand" button that sits next to "Share" and of couse, should you wish to share feel free to do so. I will let the slide show tell the story as for me, it was a wonderful year tinged with sadness. 2012 hasn't started off in the best of ways, but we'll see what happens and there will be updates as we go forward.</div></div>Andrew Wheelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01423229982532678792noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31862275.post-44893999927660717072011-12-19T10:44:00.000-08:002011-12-19T11:10:20.567-08:00MotoGP wall art for 2012?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Qx2Aa9ETM2ASALCRadVSyl9eEKzWfpuaC0WdfYRkgshQb63D8VrEq1coX7JkAwx4oFoAAFxdKGEdjS3E4Mapx57kBIC0g9XNpZbKSigsLAtB6nE8Cx_mmdiyyKnilOlzDCCWNQ/s1600/vr46_58_LE2011-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Qx2Aa9ETM2ASALCRadVSyl9eEKzWfpuaC0WdfYRkgshQb63D8VrEq1coX7JkAwx4oFoAAFxdKGEdjS3E4Mapx57kBIC0g9XNpZbKSigsLAtB6nE8Cx_mmdiyyKnilOlzDCCWNQ/s400/vr46_58_LE2011-1.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">VR46 #58 limited edition giclee canvas print</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">I thought I had added this update to my blog...but with Christmas and the decompression that takes place after the end of the season I overlooked this one medium. OOPS! I wanted to add that these have been rather popular, so if you're interested in having something a little bit different to hang on your wall follow this link for information on how to order/purchase, but don't wait too long!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jPMiucXePBE/Tu-K-6EXScI/AAAAAAAACho/VfeXPNUBmlc/s1600/VR45-%252358+ACTUAL+PRODUCT+SHOT.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jPMiucXePBE/Tu-K-6EXScI/AAAAAAAACho/VfeXPNUBmlc/s400/VR45-%252358+ACTUAL+PRODUCT+SHOT.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Actual product - photographed outside in natural daylight 24"x18"</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div><a href="http://wee.im/nDIn2y" target="_blank">To find out more and order your print click here</a><br />
<br />
</div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHW-M8SmQGdAHslgku2h4Zwot0KgDX1LnQ0e8FkN59F9hpNbWvFO4CX_3S-K-s4Pqx-Zqr_7ywuyE7npDxSltmC9lodocHkJ4vrkm68rNMgfWzjyypP6PAIqu8imj73g1_UGLvEg/s1600/AutoMotoPhoto_2012+Calendars.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHW-M8SmQGdAHslgku2h4Zwot0KgDX1LnQ0e8FkN59F9hpNbWvFO4CX_3S-K-s4Pqx-Zqr_7ywuyE7npDxSltmC9lodocHkJ4vrkm68rNMgfWzjyypP6PAIqu8imj73g1_UGLvEg/s320/AutoMotoPhoto_2012+Calendars.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">AutoMotoPhoto 2012 Calendars</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
Whilst I am writing about items of beauty, it might also be worth mentioning that my annual AutoMotoPhoto calendar is still available for purchase. In fact, not only can you have it custom made with your favourite MotoGP rider, but the start month can also be changed. So if you'd like you calendar to run from February to February, this can be arrange. I have included below a photograph of one generic calendar, and two custom calendars so you can see the quality of the finish as well as how beautiful they look...</div><div></div><div><a href="http://wee.im/6TKUpM" target="_blank">To find out more about the 2012 calendar click here</a><br />
<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div>Andrew Wheelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01423229982532678792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31862275.post-68467839945083353372011-11-08T00:28:00.000-08:002011-11-08T00:28:35.083-08:00Ciao Marco - The Minute<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj88tHe0-of7uxpyKW8iwFjYLJoSpbQGk1lIJ1fIyJxCz9dI6VEYEKtIOolOflIc-DCbVcneuPW7QLUsOgzqwiO5wB2oUa9kwXDxJ5nQmpUnUgjivsCwyObbeNfmsZgsgZg1yzUnQ/s1600/QN4M6943.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj88tHe0-of7uxpyKW8iwFjYLJoSpbQGk1lIJ1fIyJxCz9dI6VEYEKtIOolOflIc-DCbVcneuPW7QLUsOgzqwiO5wB2oUa9kwXDxJ5nQmpUnUgjivsCwyObbeNfmsZgsgZg1yzUnQ/s400/QN4M6943.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">The massed tribute at the Circuito Ricardo Tormo in Cheste</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>The image (for me) says it all. We'll just leave it at that.<br />
<br />
</div>Andrew Wheelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01423229982532678792noreply@blogger.com1Circuit Ricardo Tormo, 46380 Cheste, Spain39.485691 -0.6277804000000066.3926035 -60.393405400000006 72.5787785 59.137844599999994tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31862275.post-660504828799415992011-11-04T23:18:00.000-07:002011-11-04T23:20:16.643-07:00AutoMotoPhoto 2012 Motorcycle Racing Calendar now available<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Available to order now...<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mWhW-0_khis/TrTSKkY-DvI/AAAAAAAAB94/0LNfhHdfmvo/s1600/amp2012_calendar_cvr.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="255" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mWhW-0_khis/TrTSKkY-DvI/AAAAAAAAB94/0LNfhHdfmvo/s320/amp2012_calendar_cvr.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Andrew Wheeler's 2012 AutoMootoPhoto GP Calendar<br />
<br />
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;">Last years high quality calendar was a roaring success and so I am offering this calendar yet again. With 12 uniquely different images taken at MotoGP races all over the globe during the 2011 racing season this calendar offers a traditional calendar starting on Sunday combined with a photograph chosen from one of the races I have covered.</div></div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifqATSu66Q1PNAkF4C-qg6HY8gerGTBNWrOmbo4cMm3T077n3vi7XyKYhel58-DR_hVv2lpMBN3S56D4b-_Cw0kYmB6T9BFmX-N84Hy48TN3CUHp3ifCtdXvMv9yp6IQkp54c-nw/s1600/amp2012_calendar_jan.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifqATSu66Q1PNAkF4C-qg6HY8gerGTBNWrOmbo4cMm3T077n3vi7XyKYhel58-DR_hVv2lpMBN3S56D4b-_Cw0kYmB6T9BFmX-N84Hy48TN3CUHp3ifCtdXvMv9yp6IQkp54c-nw/s320/amp2012_calendar_jan.jpeg" width="206" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Also, what makes this calendar special, is to be able to specify your own favourite rider from the MotoGP class to have as a custom calendar at no additional cost. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">For ordering information click <a href="http://wee.im/HYhRts">here</a> and to view actual photos of the 2011 calendar (on FaceBook) click <a href="http://wee.im/hXczxI">here</a> .....</div></div>Andrew Wheelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01423229982532678792noreply@blogger.com0Capitola, CA, USA36.9752283 -121.9532930000000336.965750299999996 -121.97491600000004 36.9847063 -121.93167000000003tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31862275.post-24877342829649681652011-10-27T21:20:00.000-07:002011-10-28T09:51:59.735-07:00#CiaoMarco - A selection of images from 250cc to October 23, 2011<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;">Today was his funeral. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Today I put together a selection of images I hope reflect the man. <br />
<br />
I also have the same gallery<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"> </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150338200521386.342860.97690951385&type=1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: black;">here on FB</span><span style="background-color: #eeeeee;"></span></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" height="334" width="500"><param name="movie" value="http://www.photoshelter.com/swf/CSlideShow.swf?feedSRC=http%3A//archive.automotophoto.com/gallery/2011-RD0-MOTOGP-MARCO-SIMONCELLI/G0000R_V7Ag2Hjwc%3Ffeed%3Djson"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="bgColor" value="#181818"></param><param name="flashvars" value="target=_self&f_l=t&f_fscr=t&f_tb=f&f_bb=f&f_bbl=f&f_fss=f&f_2up=t&f_crp=f&f_wm=t&f_s2f=t&f_emb=t&f_cap=f&f_sln=t&imgT=casc&cred=iptc&trans=xfade&f_link=t&f_smooth=t&f_mtrx=t&tbs=5000&f_ap=t&f_up=f&btype=old&bcolor=%23CCCCCC"></param><!--[if !IE]><!--><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://www.photoshelter.com/swf/CSlideShow.swf?feedSRC=http%3A//archive.automotophoto.com/gallery/2011-RD0-MOTOGP-MARCO-SIMONCELLI/G0000R_V7Ag2Hjwc%3Ffeed%3Djson" width="500" height="334" ><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="bgColor" value="#181818"></param><param name="flashvars" value="target=_self&f_l=t&f_fscr=t&f_tb=f&f_bb=f&f_bbl=f&f_fss=f&f_2up=t&f_crp=f&f_wm=t&f_s2f=t&f_emb=t&f_cap=f&f_sln=t&imgT=casc&cred=iptc&trans=xfade&f_link=t&f_smooth=t&f_mtrx=t&tbs=5000&f_ap=t&f_up=f&btype=old&bcolor=%23CCCCCC"></param><!--<![endif]--><a href="http://archive.automotophoto.com/gallery/2011-RD0-MOTOGP-MARCO-SIMONCELLI/G0000R_V7Ag2Hjwc"><img src="http://www.photoshelter.com/gal-kimg-get/G0000R_V7Ag2Hjwc/s/500/334" alt="" /></a><!--[if !IE]><!--></object><!--<![endif]--></object></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://archive.automotophoto.com/gallery/2011-RD0-MOTOGP-MARCO-SIMONCELLI/G0000R_V7Ag2Hjwc">2011 RD0 MOTOGP MARCO SIMONCELLI</a> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Images by <a href="http://archive.automotophoto.com/">Andrew Wheeler | AutoMotoPhoto</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">If anyone is interested in using any of these images. Or wishes to purchase prints etc, please contact me.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Until Valencia.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Ciao Marco</div></div></div></div>Andrew Wheelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01423229982532678792noreply@blogger.com2Sepang F1 Circuit, Sepang, Selangor, Malaysia2.7614902 101.732452200000012.7542937 101.72179520000002 2.7686867 101.7431092tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31862275.post-22530864309582072662011-10-23T21:19:00.000-07:002011-10-23T22:27:03.982-07:00From happy to sad in less than 120 minutes. Goodbye Marco.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I never knew him that well.....<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAv5nXihQ7BLe4B2NRjgmGCFQ-2gPqb5DrxQkc2zfLe85KuDqHDlJRtudB5V6ermcCWGLp3A21yVB4uN5AjF2zleDRIOUf6BX8bR2kGtEilqcPJASELifpBiSM5RrSOgKGHQ1rAg/s1600/SIMONCELLI_08GP16_010_ALW_18x12_smoke_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAv5nXihQ7BLe4B2NRjgmGCFQ-2gPqb5DrxQkc2zfLe85KuDqHDlJRtudB5V6ermcCWGLp3A21yVB4uN5AjF2zleDRIOUf6BX8bR2kGtEilqcPJASELifpBiSM5RrSOgKGHQ1rAg/s320/SIMONCELLI_08GP16_010_ALW_18x12_smoke_web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Marco Simoncelli locking down the 250cc Championship in Phillip Island 2008</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">..but when you travel constantly with the "MotoGP" circus you become a familiar face. Over time you'll receive a "ciao" or a "bongiorno" when passing in the paddock in the morning, during the evening or even as these people walk through the media centre. However, it was in Phillip Island in parc ferme where Marco recognised me when I asked him to look down into my camera for a goofy shot of him waving. He obliged.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">This was only my second trip to Malaysia covering MotoGP and the heat and humidity aside, it is a happy place to visit, even if this is work (!). You have people who seem to have a positive gene in their DNA. Nothing is too much trouble if you need help, directions whatever.</div><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--oWY3h5TM-8/TqTaRDk98zI/AAAAAAAAB88/akZrmlTc-l0/s1600/rossifans_my_raceday.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--oWY3h5TM-8/TqTaRDk98zI/AAAAAAAAB88/akZrmlTc-l0/s320/rossifans_my_raceday.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">hopefully they buy their tickets sequentially....or do they swap t-shirts if not?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">I never thought that the heat would become so transparent simply because the energy of the people who live here rises above this little niggling thing. So it was after the end of the Moto2 race I simply decided I would sit on my scooter in front of the grandstands and stay in the shade. Rather than go back into the media centre and then have to go through the painful process of acclimatizing to the heat from the cold once again, it just makes sense to simply "stay out". Which I did. So here I am, sat in front of all these fans who have travelled from all over the region (from Indonesia etc for this race weekend) and they're smiling, waving and asking me questions about "the job". I felt so connected and so not far away. Knowing I only had a race day and Monday here in Malaysia this makes the day complete for me. As I have mentioned before, I love this place, even with the crazy drivers and crazier scooter riders. It's fantastic.</div><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_7oUbASbKhDcWKNOaQjtNY5NH6oe-gxXzo1Sh9O5qtKg7bDyFKTIAz5hHS-xjGpL4pMJRKSDNltmUNdIpu-6uw82tscqQTOblkQQi6nH1Bf539WbjDXRPusMRGxmP7qBWV8z-NQ/s1600/LP3B6282.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_7oUbASbKhDcWKNOaQjtNY5NH6oe-gxXzo1Sh9O5qtKg7bDyFKTIAz5hHS-xjGpL4pMJRKSDNltmUNdIpu-6uw82tscqQTOblkQQi6nH1Bf539WbjDXRPusMRGxmP7qBWV8z-NQ/s320/LP3B6282.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Happiness is infectious<br />
<br />
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">Time to go to work. First up the starting grid row girls that show the grid rows...then the teams roll out accompanied by the umbrella girls that keep the sun off the rider...the grid is prepared with tap crowd barriers around the various locations on the grid where the riders are placed. The grid is full, aside from the riders. The bikes are fired up, they head out on track, and the final wave of crew chiefs, mechanics come to join the their various crews out on the grid... dignitaries arrive and the clock starts ticking down to "go time" The mad scurrying of TV crews, photographers, people who have been granted access to the grid all trying to capture, talk to or see their subjects makes it a challenge, but a fun one at that. The back drop sounds of fans chanting "Rossi" "Rossi" make this feel somewhat gladiatorial.</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H4YKY8YVsrI/TqTeyPi-kdI/AAAAAAAAB9M/xAwB8cbuows/s1600/QN4M4765.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H4YKY8YVsrI/TqTeyPi-kdI/AAAAAAAAB9M/xAwB8cbuows/s320/QN4M4765.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Alvaro Bautista keeps himself focussed and cool</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">With the clock ticking, and most photographers having got their required images, it's a mad scrambling of crazy scooter riding to the first corner (or wherever)...with everyone in place, you watch from distance the grid clear. Warm up lap. The bikes leave in no particular order for the last lap before race start. The anticipation grows within. Next, you see them arrive on the grid. The flagman at the rear confirms everyone is in their place, the flagmen at the front and rear, signal to each other then clear off the grid..the lights come on and we're under way. The bikes come at you and everyone is capturing the race start. The pack disappears around the corner and you hear the roar of bikes in the distance racing. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Next you hear them coming down the track on the other side of the grandstands, then they're in full view coming at you, here comes lap two. They pass, then we all break out to a new location.</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI7eNcxZGfLGU14Do7rbsPHryc-koolDrGg37vTz5GuTBcUxSQ-h_LU7mJW_EUPf-U1ZrBEFem4TZUabSSAwVClkQH8cd0bTXdazeIewdHyUX2GKEU0fKiyivnNu7KGaED3IIbOg/s1600/QN4M4831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI7eNcxZGfLGU14Do7rbsPHryc-koolDrGg37vTz5GuTBcUxSQ-h_LU7mJW_EUPf-U1ZrBEFem4TZUabSSAwVClkQH8cd0bTXdazeIewdHyUX2GKEU0fKiyivnNu7KGaED3IIbOg/s320/QN4M4831.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">The "last lap" for Marco Simoncelli</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;">Then the red flags come out. Silence. Nothing on the jumbotrons except replays of the start. Then we see why there is a red flag. The normally smiley faces of photographers turns to worry. One mentions to me that "his [Simoncelli's] helmet came off. We knew that wasn't a good sign even from where we were standing. But speculating isn't what we do. So we wait and wait and wait. Then the call comes, race cancelled. Deflated. We knew something was not good. We head back to the media centre. There's an eerie silence. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The loudest noise in a normally very noisy media centre is the air conditioning fans. </div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Then it is announced that Marco Simoncelli has succumbed to his injuries. People who you know have seen so much through their lenses now have red eyes. No one speaks. There was a press conference at 5.45pm to provide an opportunity for questions. People seem to be in a state of disbelief. Surreal.</div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ExeRbr6i-zw/TqTjc2tNS6I/AAAAAAAAB9c/ZoJLRzYOaZ4/s1600/simoncelli_pi2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ExeRbr6i-zw/TqTjc2tNS6I/AAAAAAAAB9c/ZoJLRzYOaZ4/s320/simoncelli_pi2011.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Thank you for being so colourful, vibrant and full of life - image taken at Phillip Island, 10.15.2011</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Marco was different. Cavalier, dynamic and and was loaded with energy. You'll be missed. My thoughts go to his family. I'd also like to send some get well wishes to Colin Edwards as well.<br />
<br />
Tragic day.<br />
<br />
</div>Andrew Wheelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01423229982532678792noreply@blogger.com14Sepang F1 Circuit, Sepang, Selangor, Malaysia2.7614902 101.732452200000012.7542937 101.72179520000002 2.7686867 101.7431092tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31862275.post-59355076396609221982011-10-20T18:35:00.000-07:002011-10-20T18:35:27.786-07:00Casey Stoner - World Champion<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IUyqumEN_mU/TqDKPjTWz7I/AAAAAAAAB8k/h83Pimx-_IA/s1600/stoner_moto_wc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IUyqumEN_mU/TqDKPjTWz7I/AAAAAAAAB8k/h83Pimx-_IA/s400/stoner_moto_wc.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Casey Stoner atop his motorcycle in parc ferme after winning the race, and the World Championship</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">A quick update from last weekends MotoGP Round 16 at Phillip Island in Australia..and a simple update at that...with nothing more to say...Casey Stoner really put his stamp on the season and pulled off the race win, the championship and it was his birthday to boot...not bad going I guess.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The trip to Phillip Island was, as it always is, a lot of fun. I know some wonderful people who visit the island over the race weekend that it almost feel like a family gathering. So thank you to all who made my visit most enjoyable. Also a big thank you again to those who attended my first seminar and to Paul Stafford of Spice Island for being able to host it.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Images from Phillip Island and previous rounds are online in my <a href="http://wee.im/P0PUWm">AutoMotoPhoto MotoGP Photography searchable archive</a>.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Next up, images and tales from Malaysia....where I am penning this update.</div></div>Andrew Wheelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01423229982532678792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31862275.post-23751599263749338422011-10-18T20:11:00.000-07:002011-10-18T20:11:45.768-07:00You can't keep it all to yourself - Sharing and helping others to "see"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;">I admit I was nervous.<br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">But after we had the meet and greet, and the av-display had been set up and connected to my laptop I felt that something clicked within me. This just felt right.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_Nf1wI40rhQ/Tp44q3kfzGI/AAAAAAAAB7s/rW5RmozPrR4/s1600/seminar_group_pi2011.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_Nf1wI40rhQ/Tp44q3kfzGI/AAAAAAAAB7s/rW5RmozPrR4/s320/seminar_group_pi2011.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">That's me! AutoMotoPhoto inaugural seminar Phillip Island</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>My wife Emily had suggested I take my photography and what I know in a new direction and this was it. The day went well and<i> </i>I<i> </i>was amazed at the level of enthusiasm of the people who had joined me for the day. We ran through the program I had put together, with the morning focussing on image ideas, "seeing" and thinking differently as well as taking a look at peoples images and taking input from people on not only each others images and ways of thinking, but also my own images. In the afternoon we looked at self promotion, marketing, search engine optimisation as well as how to use the freely available social media outlets to build or share your work with others.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj0bynLgmk0X50bN8_-ObzZlTRWzUvPJw_X2VrekVP2MCqNSftfNE8MsplCsuSUKlNA4Wmp90no7xZFVwpPptaOycsoWHgb2UGZejBruC1xF2kZ_QLU4cuml9BwcWmo6Id_l3mfQ/s1600/automotophoto_seminar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj0bynLgmk0X50bN8_-ObzZlTRWzUvPJw_X2VrekVP2MCqNSftfNE8MsplCsuSUKlNA4Wmp90no7xZFVwpPptaOycsoWHgb2UGZejBruC1xF2kZ_QLU4cuml9BwcWmo6Id_l3mfQ/s200/automotophoto_seminar.jpg" width="154" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The day ended with dinner and a few beers before everyone headed off for the race weekend....</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">A fantastic day, and a big thank you to Helen, Frank, Anant, Simon and Robert who signed up. A good sized group which allowed for everyone's questions and discussions to be heard and answered.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The next Andrew Wheeler AutoMotoPhoto Seminar is being organized...</div></div>Andrew Wheelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01423229982532678792noreply@blogger.com0San Remo VIC 3925, Australia-38.520668 145.3716726-38.5399755 145.32650360000002 -38.501360500000004 145.4168416tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31862275.post-67522082173309145132011-10-06T07:44:00.000-07:002011-10-06T08:57:31.184-07:00AutoMotoPhoto - Website is now updated...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1562546525"><br />
</a><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1562546525"><img border="0" height="155" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rtOyMzhimvI/To29ksaunxI/AAAAAAAAB6g/RBv_QNngFIc/s320/cs27_aragon2011a.jpeg" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://automotophoto.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Casey Stoners RCV212 in parc ferme, Motorland Arago</span>n</a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">A quick mention to let you know that my main website, <b>AutoMotoPhoto</b> has been refreshed with images from every race I have covered in 2011...and in total there is nearly six years worth of racing images that could kill some time over a wintery weekend..</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Join me and others at the <a href="http://automotophoto.com/seminars/pi2011/automotophoto_PI_seminar2011.html"><b>Phillip Island MotoGP Photography Seminar</b></a></span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div>Andrew Wheelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01423229982532678792noreply@blogger.com0Capitola, CA, USA36.9752283 -121.9532930000000336.965750299999996 -121.97491600000004 36.9847063 -121.93167000000003tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31862275.post-54699283137169856272011-09-28T19:44:00.000-07:002011-10-02T18:31:21.930-07:00MotoGP Phillip Island Exclusive! AutoMotoPhoto seminar and dinner!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div><div style="text-align: left;"></div></div><div><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Skn_yO82_S0/TokP3S1yxrI/AAAAAAAAB0o/Bv719MQUjtU/s1600/automotophoto_seminar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Skn_yO82_S0/TokP3S1yxrI/AAAAAAAAB0o/Bv719MQUjtU/s320/automotophoto_seminar.jpg" width="247" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">AutoMotoPhoto Seminar Poster</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Many people have asked me if I would run a seminar. I have gotten together with a good friend who lives on the Island and we're going to be putting on the inaugural AutoMotoPhoto Photography Seminar and Dinner in San Remo. Wednesday (10/12) before the race weekend is when it's going to happen.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Also!!! After a long day of instruction, critique and big thinking, Paul and I will be cooking dinner for those who will be attending.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">This seminar is designed for amateurs who have a solid understanding of the principles of photography but want to develop their skills in this one day intensive class. We'll cover subjects such as your goals, peer reviews and critiques..how to make do with the equipment you already have and how to think outside the box...we'll also go into how to sell or market your images using current methods including social media tools...and how to approach the mystical world of getting published...I can't teach you how to have a "style", but I will hopefully impart enough information to fuel that desire to enable you to think differently and to feel confident about your work.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Seating is limited due to the nature of this class.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">For pricing and further information simply send an email to me, Andrew Wheeler <b><a href="mailto:amp_request@me.com">here</a> </b>and by return I will send you the schedule and a link for you to sign up and pay for your seat! To download the poster click <a href="http://automotophoto.com/automotophoto_seminar.pdf"><i><b>here</b></i></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I look forward to hearing from you and we'll see you there....<br />
<br />
</div></div>Andrew Wheelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01423229982532678792noreply@blogger.com0Phillip Island, Victoria, Australia-38.522330098994182 145.38325763632815-38.582497098994182 145.21450663632817 -38.462163098994182 145.55200863632814tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31862275.post-34578146687740530452011-09-28T13:58:00.000-07:002011-09-28T13:58:43.648-07:00Jorge Lorenzo, Casey Stoner...from Misano to Aragon. The Renaissance, castles and the countryside...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tb4Iv2TiREE/ToN_A6TrIrI/AAAAAAAABzw/nV3fXj13KRA/s1600/thoughtbubble_misano.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tb4Iv2TiREE/ToN_A6TrIrI/AAAAAAAABzw/nV3fXj13KRA/s320/thoughtbubble_misano.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Valentino Rossi at his "home" race wearing his special liveried Misano special helmet</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">I love castles.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wNYEQ2SvUJY/TnzdR2LAx4I/AAAAAAAABy8/rMwnQYZfLWA/s1600/IMG_3101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wNYEQ2SvUJY/TnzdR2LAx4I/AAAAAAAABy8/rMwnQYZfLWA/s320/IMG_3101.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Gradara</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>So it's rather interesting that we go from the Adriatic and the home of Lucrezia Borgia (and all that lovely warmth and kindness as the perfect dinner host she was) to Aragon, where the two regions are actually loosely connected by families marrying one off to the other. I love this region of Italy, the coastline that becomes extremely dramatic not too far inland with huge outcrops of rocks topped with castles. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qw2dKGbnlC4/ToN6-c2i-nI/AAAAAAAABzQ/56_EEu_YUNM/s1600/QN4M6207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qw2dKGbnlC4/ToN6-c2i-nI/AAAAAAAABzQ/56_EEu_YUNM/s320/QN4M6207.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Urbino</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">Last years trip to Misano started out tinged with sadness of the loss during the race weekend prior at Indianapolis. Little did we know that the race weekend at Misanowould also end in sadness (see the previous blog entry). Fortunately, this years events ended with no tragedies but with an excellent showing of racecraft by Jorge Lorenzo...</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Yba9m5_KMXo/ToN7MQCbfII/AAAAAAAABzU/QBRkUxsnosk/s1600/QN4M5814.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Yba9m5_KMXo/ToN7MQCbfII/AAAAAAAABzU/QBRkUxsnosk/s320/QN4M5814.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Jorge Lorenzo and his crew celebrate his crossing the finish line</span><br />
<div style="font-size: x-small; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">A side trip was in order to Valentino Rossi's village, Tavulia, although the mood in the village did seem a little a little quieter than last. </span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TX75m19yt_k/ToN7fnqUVrI/AAAAAAAABzY/4v2w61p82Zc/s1600/QN4M2825.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TX75m19yt_k/ToN7fnqUVrI/AAAAAAAABzY/4v2w61p82Zc/s320/QN4M2825.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Valentino Rossi's hometown</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">The banner that shows his 100 victories has faded somewhat, but in many of the windows as before, there are cardboard cutouts of the maestro himself watching over the visitors. One thing that was different from last year was the video booth. This appeared so as fans visiting to send Valentino a personal message if support. </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir1JXOORokhMxQpiIKHaLbxG3LSN3ghTKOHLnpaJcv1rAC3N-mKO_xzLgykpc2L7RyUkf0GSlMRiKE1sEEC_-H9k3HbvnRAx9BH5Z3veWMugIERbqWJT9RYaH1HNl15B0NUbpUvQ/s1600/QN4M2777.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir1JXOORokhMxQpiIKHaLbxG3LSN3ghTKOHLnpaJcv1rAC3N-mKO_xzLgykpc2L7RyUkf0GSlMRiKE1sEEC_-H9k3HbvnRAx9BH5Z3veWMugIERbqWJT9RYaH1HNl15B0NUbpUvQ/s320/QN4M2777.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">the VR46 video box in Tavulia</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">Gone was the life-size cardboard Yamaha team cutout and garage that was very popular with folks who wanted to have a picture of themselves taken with whoever works in the garage. Maybe next year there'll be a Ducati version.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6-dp9vrWAVQ/ToN9dlk9-bI/AAAAAAAABzg/J3d2GhuCrWY/s1600/10.-MotoGP-Misano-DO-NOT-DELETE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6-dp9vrWAVQ/ToN9dlk9-bI/AAAAAAAABzg/J3d2GhuCrWY/s320/10.-MotoGP-Misano-DO-NOT-DELETE.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">This year I stayed at a fabulous little flat in the city of Cattolica with Ben Spies Fan Club creators Luca Ottolini and his fabulous wife Chiara. We had a great week of good food, laughter, Jesus ducks and of course being less than 3 minutes from a gelateria, gelato.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFH-YpmtbjkuoOUwhoWwarBvp2b4QWW-M1EjaHk4e1epC3kCGml4tMotoIccXl7adOpr8uDY0Kl-y7ElzWbNgs_0DY4KzQMaRikeIZWu6jkfEICU4GW4l62MPbhyeDLPVfCN7UiQ/s1600/QN4M4380.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFH-YpmtbjkuoOUwhoWwarBvp2b4QWW-M1EjaHk4e1epC3kCGml4tMotoIccXl7adOpr8uDY0Kl-y7ElzWbNgs_0DY4KzQMaRikeIZWu6jkfEICU4GW4l62MPbhyeDLPVfCN7UiQ/s320/QN4M4380.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fan club!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">Lots of gelato....thanks again to Simone for being such a help in having the apartment for us....looks like next year we're all set for Misano too!</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeE4PUMvLSxG4W7PvHOnevk8eP-2mdmrjRcBPRRlg4SJgQL13zi9Z320KLTrCrywJ84rNT0kagdMvHCV4Bxfo6Et7ZaXiaphurY7IWQL2VjTF5h68jPy1YgDcRduGFRex5J3vycA/s1600/LP3B2651.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeE4PUMvLSxG4W7PvHOnevk8eP-2mdmrjRcBPRRlg4SJgQL13zi9Z320KLTrCrywJ84rNT0kagdMvHCV4Bxfo6Et7ZaXiaphurY7IWQL2VjTF5h68jPy1YgDcRduGFRex5J3vycA/s320/LP3B2651.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ben Spies rounds turn 9 at Misano</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">With that, it was back home for a few days before heading off (again) to Barcelona for the Motorland Aragon experience! Arriving late into Barcelona it was then a solid 2-3hour drive to the lovely little village of Beceite. </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEegRb1261mdK1rw9npN8lLlbDN7u0Sx8dllHLzspe6BSNFZr6mS6mqZcrOntraaADGta8k7KDeIkknErAUFQTHdv2Mllfh5o9xR8SkFSaCaOBZSxW7qGTRlS8QvYF4lwShFbV4Q/s1600/IMG_3203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEegRb1261mdK1rw9npN8lLlbDN7u0Sx8dllHLzspe6BSNFZr6mS6mqZcrOntraaADGta8k7KDeIkknErAUFQTHdv2Mllfh5o9xR8SkFSaCaOBZSxW7qGTRlS8QvYF4lwShFbV4Q/s320/IMG_3203.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beceite, Teruel</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">I stayed here last year and we loved it so much not only did we come back, but we rented the entire building to avoid the racket we suffered at the hands of a rather large group of excitable motorcyclists who were upstairs. </div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t_2CEcI-eSY/ToOCAy_CoNI/AAAAAAAABz4/TrxVx-v4Kpc/s1600/IMG_3178.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t_2CEcI-eSY/ToOCAy_CoNI/AAAAAAAABz4/TrxVx-v4Kpc/s320/IMG_3178.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Base camp Beceite!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">This year, I shared the upstairs apartment with Andrew Northcott, Jules Cisek and his wife Bernadette. Mr Motomatters, David Emmett, Jarno from Holland, Abraham (from Spain) and his friend occupied the floor we stayed on last year.That meant we had normality and tranquility upon our return from a busy day at the track.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WFnS5yq-PGA/ToODQz5j6rI/AAAAAAAABz8/0FdrauAQUU0/s1600/IMG_3196.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WFnS5yq-PGA/ToODQz5j6rI/AAAAAAAABz8/0FdrauAQUU0/s320/IMG_3196.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Quite the dramatic scenery commute to work...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">As before the drive to the track winds through some seriously spectacular scenery. Jules Cisek ran his Go-Pro during one of our morning drives and hopefully, when he has edited the footage, we'll have something to share here...we'll just back track a bit.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Whfw0mLEbd2_QFqGve3jIOuxRfKa9wmb6UoazuQ7ncF8zMtt3xTMSiQs7L1itFpNYjikHt-UYJmdM_ZJ6zahRPzOWAi6PfNCDGuJ07epgDhZuB_dAosXUQlaGWanmUPOYyZVNw/s1600/LP3B4567.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Whfw0mLEbd2_QFqGve3jIOuxRfKa9wmb6UoazuQ7ncF8zMtt3xTMSiQs7L1itFpNYjikHt-UYJmdM_ZJ6zahRPzOWAi6PfNCDGuJ07epgDhZuB_dAosXUQlaGWanmUPOYyZVNw/s320/LP3B4567.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Motorland Aragon race day</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">Motorland Aragon, as I explained last year, is out in the middle of nowhere, not far from the town of Alcaniz, which is also, out in the middle of nowhere. That said, this area is chock full of history, especially related to The Renaissance, the invasions by the Moors, and long before that, the Romans and Greek. Evidence in the forms of minarets, aqueducts and castles show the various cultural influences in the area. It is well worth visit and a stay.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBtOTV29BVNhiTLVQoGMcHejC-JkCVZgwQdlQD1g5m7PPbhPg5s5dz7-skoKo21jiMTJ3sifP57ZfxproD_BZjEWvEFF3q5IXJGRbv4XkRphZjfy6XmPzjcE7fSQzVs-nhVm9Zog/s1600/293999_10150289999452584_728597583_7866135_1385307960_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBtOTV29BVNhiTLVQoGMcHejC-JkCVZgwQdlQD1g5m7PPbhPg5s5dz7-skoKo21jiMTJ3sifP57ZfxproD_BZjEWvEFF3q5IXJGRbv4XkRphZjfy6XmPzjcE7fSQzVs-nhVm9Zog/s320/293999_10150289999452584_728597583_7866135_1385307960_n.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Tortosa</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">Race weekend came, sadly Friday was a morning only job. A local transformer blew up and caught fire and that killed the power to the race track. In the afternoon, because there was no timing and scoring, or power for anything it was decided to abandon the afternoons sessions. Personally I felt the riders could've gone out and done some fan laps on scooters because there were an awful to of very disappointed fans in the stands who'd stuck out the heat and winds waiting for something to happen. </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvy1rd9R5q5exakZy_1xS1Mfkr-r_2qoLapdl63K4lSQF-dlsgtx7tPE3tbbKyTLxlpaVySX2nxBktLq0VWT848A07wgEquJoGEOj0_EMxBWiEL0dPgQGoA08p9NDQOEabxeTfYQ/s1600/GP14_8359_bswp_FB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvy1rd9R5q5exakZy_1xS1Mfkr-r_2qoLapdl63K4lSQF-dlsgtx7tPE3tbbKyTLxlpaVySX2nxBktLq0VWT848A07wgEquJoGEOj0_EMxBWiEL0dPgQGoA08p9NDQOEabxeTfYQ/s320/GP14_8359_bswp_FB.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Great Wall of Aragon - dramatic and the perfect backdrop</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">But that's me I guess. Someone was so miffed off that they threw their sandwich at ME!! I thought that was funny, but still. I do feel something should be on hand for moments like this. After all, this is all about entertainment IMO.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gNfUitDM4SM/ToOG6dowuyI/AAAAAAAAB0M/_OBNYTZu_SM/s1600/Hayden_091711a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gNfUitDM4SM/ToOG6dowuyI/AAAAAAAAB0M/_OBNYTZu_SM/s320/Hayden_091711a.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hayden rounding the mini-corkscrew</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">Race day rolls around, the factory Honda's roll out a rather interesting race day livery in some shocking orange colour (which initially I wasn't too keen on - but it looked good in photos). </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wuO3HJ2-VA0/ToOHClz96YI/AAAAAAAAB0Q/C_tHHM-2rSU/s1600/QN4M8217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wuO3HJ2-VA0/ToOHClz96YI/AAAAAAAAB0Q/C_tHHM-2rSU/s320/QN4M8217.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MotoGP Aragon race winner Casey Stoner</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">The race wasn't exactly earth shattering, and Casey Stoner didn't surprise anyone by winning...with Aragon in the bag, it was back to the house.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DCAwKUdtDR8/ToOH0pyAqdI/AAAAAAAAB0U/5Z7Afy8Qgww/s1600/stoner_aragon_podium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DCAwKUdtDR8/ToOH0pyAqdI/AAAAAAAAB0U/5Z7Afy8Qgww/s320/stoner_aragon_podium.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A cava moment with Casey Stoner</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">With my flights to Barcelona that would take me to Amsterdam leaving on Tuesday afternoon, I had all day Monday to futz around and take it easy. So, I left the house about 1pm and drove over a huge range of mountains to coast and the seaside town of Peñíscola. It was just a zip trip to snag some photos of the castle on the Mediterranean (and I was reliably informed that this was the location for the making of the film El Cid by David Emmett) and so with some images captured I took the long route back to the house. </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL9hXOYT6O82xWXATqM0XUNKuu-TlNvBVyfORDOacsgPpQTvtpEZwfLNMBxybQ837LgAQCAMgr7PpOaFy6tx-9xl76dKDta8zBxJDPSLxZI7ssycV9Cam2yoocW_49riDAgAX8tw/s1600/QN4M8676.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL9hXOYT6O82xWXATqM0XUNKuu-TlNvBVyfORDOacsgPpQTvtpEZwfLNMBxybQ837LgAQCAMgr7PpOaFy6tx-9xl76dKDta8zBxJDPSLxZI7ssycV9Cam2yoocW_49riDAgAX8tw/s320/QN4M8676.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">The castle at Peniscola</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">Returning in time to finish up dinner and celebrate Jules and Bernadettes wedding anniversary. Which was a rather nice way to cap off a wonderful week in the Spanish interior.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wJqWNJO3Zyo/ToOITnGDyyI/AAAAAAAAB0c/m7lpXLUwGmM/s1600/IMG_3257.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wJqWNJO3Zyo/ToOITnGDyyI/AAAAAAAAB0c/m7lpXLUwGmM/s320/IMG_3257.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from room 503 at CitizenM</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Tuesday, I would drive to airport. Eventually find my good friend Abel, have lunch, board my flight to Amsterdam and then spend a nice evening in my favourite hip-hotel at Schipol, CitizenM. The next day it would be an easy walk to the airport and eventually home.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k-PJImQWSaw/ToOIcApaKHI/AAAAAAAAB0g/p7Ibf1vB1p0/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k-PJImQWSaw/ToOIcApaKHI/AAAAAAAAB0g/p7Ibf1vB1p0/s320/1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Padron peppers - happy anniversary to Jules and Bernadette</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">Next up, Australia, Malaysia...but for now, I am enjoying my time at home.</div></div>Andrew Wheelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01423229982532678792noreply@blogger.com1Alcañiz, Spain41.0722432554347 -0.1917416501953539440.9639172554347 -0.39902665019535394 41.1805692554347 0.015543349804646056tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31862275.post-75676526874347953902011-09-05T02:46:00.000-07:002011-09-28T19:52:34.921-07:00......48<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zik_wNdYGKs/TmSXJMuWViI/AAAAAAAABVE/LJ8O7BCkIS0/s1600/200657_10150105976746386_97690951385_6933054_5553723_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zik_wNdYGKs/TmSXJMuWViI/AAAAAAAABVE/LJ8O7BCkIS0/s320/200657_10150105976746386_97690951385_6933054_5553723_n.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Shoya Tomizawa - Qatar 2010</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Racing is dangerous. The week before 'we" lost the lovely Peter Lenz at Indianapolis, the sadness continued at Misano when "we" lost Shoya Tomizawa. It was too much really. When there's a death at a race track the air changes, the velocity at which things happen slows down to where you feel you're in some weird time warp. We're made painfully aware in a very short space of time how fragile life is. For me, I think it wasn't a bad idea not to have a memorial at the race track. Racing is about going forward, an optimistic sport where one is always looking to get to the front to win. Everyone who enters or partakes in this sport, or any motorsport where high speed and hard objectives fly together knows the risks.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
As I mentioned way back when the incident happened (on this blog). I met Shoya when I had to shoot some images for Motorcycle Racer Magazine. Polite, kind and with a permagrin on his face. Although I can't say I knew him well, but from that point onwards there was always a good morning and a nod when you passed him in the paddock. Anyways, if someone comes across this post then it's worth remembering that it's always a good point to leave people with good memories of oneself, when that day comes it would be nice to know that people missed "you" in the same way as people miss this talented and rather pleasant young man.</div></div>Andrew Wheelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01423229982532678792noreply@blogger.com147843 Misano Adriatico Rimini, Italy43.962027325437752 12.68315368389892243.934938325437756 12.638875183898922 43.989116325437749 12.727432183898923tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31862275.post-15376560366729311982011-09-02T00:37:00.000-07:002011-09-02T00:37:04.365-07:00Indianapolis, Spies, Stoner, Rossi, AC and the flu<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">It was hot.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fj0FWMNY-i8/TmCBx8BSVrI/AAAAAAAABU0/H5plbSMfUGs/s1600/QN4M0943b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fj0FWMNY-i8/TmCBx8BSVrI/AAAAAAAABU0/H5plbSMfUGs/s400/QN4M0943b.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Casey Stoner</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">I thought the flu would be done and gone by the time the trip to Indy rolled around. I guess I was wrong. In fact the flu I contracted during the weekend at Brno, simply got worse. The high temperatures and never ending air conditioning (AC) everywhere only served to cause me to think that I had actually spent my whole life working in a mine and had gone down with emphysema. Every time I started to cough it never stopped, and never stopped, and never stopped and then only finally stopped when my lungs had completely expelled all the air contained within and I was dizzy from lack of oxygen. Fortunately for me Bob Starr at Yamaha had very kindly arranged for me to have a scooter.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6AEqbqgI0mqx5Rxknn1Z-_Vd9rm-62RHFH74F7qcn-NuIlvMGb58XtHyPX2van1zjFqkHekJ6q4_8BVeVX0JHnzQrwh8red9AP5VxZ8Uts9BT0xWgafwOE_YYR_l8uce8ErGSrA/s1600/LP3B2208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6AEqbqgI0mqx5Rxknn1Z-_Vd9rm-62RHFH74F7qcn-NuIlvMGb58XtHyPX2van1zjFqkHekJ6q4_8BVeVX0JHnzQrwh8red9AP5VxZ8Uts9BT0xWgafwOE_YYR_l8uce8ErGSrA/s400/LP3B2208.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Dani Pedrosa coming at me during the first lap</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">This was the first time in as long as I could remember that Emily would not be joining me for the race weekend due to school and work obligations. So this would be the trip where I would not get to see her in over two weeks. Something that does not fill me with joy. However, I would spend the weekend with a good friend Nic Coury who is a journalist at the Monterey County Weekly. So the company was more than welcome, and also it does help keep the costs down by being able to split the cost of food, accommodations and transportation.</div></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QWoeuAufTfI/TmCBb9iEKsI/AAAAAAAABUk/5FEKFPIlL2I/s1600/QN4M0709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QWoeuAufTfI/TmCBb9iEKsI/AAAAAAAABUk/5FEKFPIlL2I/s400/QN4M0709.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Colin Edwards</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><div style="text-align: justify;">I may have mentioned it somewhere else before, but Indy is a very challenging location to shoot racing. The lack of service roads, having to negotiate crowds whilst on a scooter and lack of locations to shoot the track from can make for rather repetitive imagery. So there's a need to really test ones creative skills when working there. </div></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ieK-8IPcStCwWi5on7h4yyHwQ6jdqY2w6Hsf1F3VMDdEMHa6IZs6z7lajdgh2n5MGxLsiNuJe3JTWsbEfl1yzMlnh_GZXPNl6x9eiLRd3BBD2dVj5QeHz1kecFlWyNJPe5TZPw/s1600/AMP_GP12_11_078.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ieK-8IPcStCwWi5on7h4yyHwQ6jdqY2w6Hsf1F3VMDdEMHa6IZs6z7lajdgh2n5MGxLsiNuJe3JTWsbEfl1yzMlnh_GZXPNl6x9eiLRd3BBD2dVj5QeHz1kecFlWyNJPe5TZPw/s400/AMP_GP12_11_078.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Gorls</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">So the weekend was hot. The surface of infield section of the track had been repaved and was subsequently rather greasy for the riders. The weather being so hot made me almost wish for the rain we had the year before, only because it adds another dimension to the imagery, and it does make life a little more tolerable, even if one has to deal with wet weather gear, protective covers and the lack of convenience that dry weather allows. </div></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix1pcAMKIw1UXXSEy0uqkO-XC0lD2QyK-25rcGEd2ax0vlI09w3zvIXGL1YpFJuRW54i3Pu7R_B0woqFHXBvEt_vq2v34_-93nnVYyoOz_VqGxRPVxT9ErMhhIAyPA9w0oN8A8Rw/s1600/QN4M1000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix1pcAMKIw1UXXSEy0uqkO-XC0lD2QyK-25rcGEd2ax0vlI09w3zvIXGL1YpFJuRW54i3Pu7R_B0woqFHXBvEt_vq2v34_-93nnVYyoOz_VqGxRPVxT9ErMhhIAyPA9w0oN8A8Rw/s400/QN4M1000.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Simoncelli</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Once again all eyes were on Ben Spies, but also on Hayden and the other American Colin Edwards. This is the second home race of the season and as we remember, both Hayden and Spies have done well here in the past. Did I mention it was hot over the weekend? One thing you always forget about when you visit this huge concrete and steel structures is the residual heat that is reradiated back up from the concrete.</div></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jhRFGbPgxis/TmCA2vWDCnI/AAAAAAAABUU/sz0jiSqwliE/s1600/QN4M2245.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jhRFGbPgxis/TmCA2vWDCnI/AAAAAAAABUU/sz0jiSqwliE/s400/QN4M2245.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Tom, Greg and Ben, parc ferme</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">But it would turn out to be a weekend that neither Nicky Hayden or Valentino Rossi will want to remember...especially when it came to race day.....</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBZ1PLba6lC-FZdzgu-5H5vu8FxBJY3A5kf49XXk1bfjPWPruRsNl7xLuBNxyqx6NKWfdnWBExkVOOANkPhcbHmGQ89IgqtTLrOTCLDkufNSZlftXTq8bV2rhBuu6IbQtKfrRsBQ/s1600/rossi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBZ1PLba6lC-FZdzgu-5H5vu8FxBJY3A5kf49XXk1bfjPWPruRsNl7xLuBNxyqx6NKWfdnWBExkVOOANkPhcbHmGQ89IgqtTLrOTCLDkufNSZlftXTq8bV2rhBuu6IbQtKfrRsBQ/s400/rossi.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Valentino Rossi</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">As I mentioned above, good friend Nic Coury was joining me for the weekend and was having a blast. having never seen all three classes at one race (Laguna only has the GP class) it was a firs for him. But boy howdy did that guy not need a scooter. He walked everywhere and I was suitably impressed by the energy output! Plus, he captured some really different images.Race day came, and even though it was dominated by Casey Stoner, with Dani Pedrosa coming in second, it was good to see Ben made it to the podium again for his home race.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMcMSlSNu0_DNEO62_phpNNS0bNJoCvCgG28YJ06jmkpSWZpkNq-8dEHEOErRSo8XR4s6_L8LIzOqPQHG67w9LC6HZqtAV933u0k3IjiGFgZzxfNQctPL4pwGdSvjSTT6f1Zd_Fg/s1600/QN4M1514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMcMSlSNu0_DNEO62_phpNNS0bNJoCvCgG28YJ06jmkpSWZpkNq-8dEHEOErRSo8XR4s6_L8LIzOqPQHG67w9LC6HZqtAV933u0k3IjiGFgZzxfNQctPL4pwGdSvjSTT6f1Zd_Fg/s400/QN4M1514.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">The Pagoda and pitlane, race day morning</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;">After getting up at 4am to run Nic to the airport for his trip back to California, I went back to the hotel, back to bed for a couple of hours and then packed up the car, headed to the airport and left for Italy and the next round from Misano on the Adriatic which is where I am writing this from now.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ml_nFlbGviM/TmB_XRFAuKI/AAAAAAAABUE/CNRIaffKrgo/s1600/IMG_2910.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ml_nFlbGviM/TmB_XRFAuKI/AAAAAAAABUE/CNRIaffKrgo/s400/IMG_2910.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Italian country spicy sausage and vegetable soup, Indy style</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">However, even though I wasn't feeling too chipper, I still managed to crank out some fine dinners for us over the weekend in Indianapolis...however, I might just add, the blueberry bagels do not go too well with a country style sausage and vegetable soup, but they worked somewhat. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thanks for reading..</div></div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div></div></div></div></div>Andrew Wheelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01423229982532678792noreply@blogger.com0Speedway, IN, USA39.787105642682313 -86.23423126538085639.764240142682311 -86.259408765380854 39.809971142682315 -86.209053765380858tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31862275.post-73600880695727524882011-08-21T14:35:00.000-07:002011-08-21T16:32:35.298-07:00MotoGP is back! Stoner flies and Brno gets some colour...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Pretty.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x_TFCLSv4-Y/TlF31bEDcRI/AAAAAAAABQo/o9IdgXev5l0/s1600/photo-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x_TFCLSv4-Y/TlF31bEDcRI/AAAAAAAABQo/o9IdgXev5l0/s400/photo-2.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">When I first came to Brno, the apartment blocks you see in the distance were grey. Each time I visit some more of the apartment blocks have been painted, the colour just beams out during sunset as the suns' rays hit their structures. For me I love this view....at the end of this entry, you'll see an early morning sunrise over the same...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JcAJH88vg5Q/TlFmkslF_CI/AAAAAAAABPA/-gpxBA5ZiZk/s1600/stoner-off-2_FB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JcAJH88vg5Q/TlFmkslF_CI/AAAAAAAABPA/-gpxBA5ZiZk/s400/stoner-off-2_FB.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Saturday morning, damn track and some overambitious braking caused this little moment. He was unhurt, but the skill is in the eyes. Note; that as much as the bike has left its designed position (upright) he is still focussed on the upcoming left hander. Quite amazing, and even as the bike hits the ground, the next shot shows how he continues to look through he corner....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAsuU0bMMX4rC-G-YjMiTkvEgugS81YGEimFbv1zYEW1BH3DG7_U8OW3hLbC75c3ISZL30Me6yveT7_6judHLCHon-F3CH2KPEo6PvVsVpEytzEocHVXZ3BHMZYojo4TnEGGCfLA/s1600/stoner-off-1-FB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAsuU0bMMX4rC-G-YjMiTkvEgugS81YGEimFbv1zYEW1BH3DG7_U8OW3hLbC75c3ISZL30Me6yveT7_6judHLCHon-F3CH2KPEo6PvVsVpEytzEocHVXZ3BHMZYojo4TnEGGCfLA/s400/stoner-off-1-FB.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This was my fourth trip back to the Czech Republic for MotoGP. Each year it gets better and better. I stay in the same lovely apartment in a village just on the edge of Brno, near where the old GP track used to run. It's a short drive to the track, it's peaceful at night and the folks that own the property are simply the kindest, even going so far as to ask if we needed anything washed (Andrew Northcott shares with me here).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhORqnY26M3tM0sSSmDHdT9lnZyg1dSEn_9WMri2sQKxfjibPBynl1dlopQzULgExV8WBvpfvJ89c7yni7Nl_qbQ8bdrFDnzsldafsgDu9Wdwj5w3-Y2tK04ubo7dXmY8QZ6_JNNg/s1600/photo.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhORqnY26M3tM0sSSmDHdT9lnZyg1dSEn_9WMri2sQKxfjibPBynl1dlopQzULgExV8WBvpfvJ89c7yni7Nl_qbQ8bdrFDnzsldafsgDu9Wdwj5w3-Y2tK04ubo7dXmY8QZ6_JNNg/s400/photo.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I arrived into Prague on the Tuesday, and after the two-hour drive to Brno, I get settled in and go food shopping (as I do everywhere). Come back, make dinner, chat with Emily and head off to bed. The next day I would take a trip to a castle boskovického hradu), similar to what I did a couple of years ago. It's a nice drive through the countryside and small villages with pastel coloured pointy roof houses, whilst watching out for the rather exuberant Czech driver (I have a Opel Astra diesel which isn't sluggish - but I'm determined to not draw the attention of the local police on this trip...plus I'm in no hurry).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIMIiNc-FGCDd_IBCfyhKviAaTZyB40QBk2YIYfHPtmLCi3mKByJqZaFa3YDedh3zs_RYRonI1CkVhkys4RZjdiOyam5sbQU7WCunPAOK6CdXjnVAZ8w8R1RQ99RU9ktqOIQlTEg/s1600/boskovick%25C3%25A9ho+hradu.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIMIiNc-FGCDd_IBCfyhKviAaTZyB40QBk2YIYfHPtmLCi3mKByJqZaFa3YDedh3zs_RYRonI1CkVhkys4RZjdiOyam5sbQU7WCunPAOK6CdXjnVAZ8w8R1RQ99RU9ktqOIQlTEg/s400/boskovick%25C3%25A9ho+hradu.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The castle at <a href="http://www.hradboskovice.cz/" target="_blank">boskovického hradu</a> is privately owned and is a little "rusty" but after a nice stroll up a 1 in 4 hill the view is worth it...however, i decided to not stay too long as is this case in this region, thunder storms brew up pretty fast, and with that comes lightning. Even you regular homes have lightning conductors all over the roof as the storm they get around here can be extremely violent... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NSlJzlryrNE/TlFr7b0qEuI/AAAAAAAABPg/_jGWtOzNWzQ/s1600/photo-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NSlJzlryrNE/TlFr7b0qEuI/AAAAAAAABPg/_jGWtOzNWzQ/s400/photo-1.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">By Thursday I had started feeling somewhat ropy, and as it would turn out by race day I had a full-blown flu. Ugh. Fortunately getting around this huge track, and it is huge, wasn't too bad as I had wheels. Friday the weather was okay, not too hot, but Saturday, as we expected we ended up having rain, however, it blew through and so qualifying wasn't going to be a wet event.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q8AI21h3g4Y/TlFx7JIhhTI/AAAAAAAABQI/_S4lGsSx2a8/s1600/LP3B0061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q8AI21h3g4Y/TlFx7JIhhTI/AAAAAAAABQI/_S4lGsSx2a8/s400/LP3B0061.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">During the morning, and with a rather greasy and wet track it caught a few people out. Sadly, John Hopkins, who had a good Friday practice, would dump his bike in the same spot as Casey Stoner but would fare as well, breaking three fingers and putting him out of contention for Saturday afternoons qualifying. Which, considering his return to racing and taking things a little more seriously, has been impressive. So many people were hoping good things for him from this weekend.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y4_CkMZ-IWs/TlFtN7HUPMI/AAAAAAAABPo/-ZJ3b2k-2Jk/s1600/QN4M5884.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y4_CkMZ-IWs/TlFtN7HUPMI/AAAAAAAABPo/-ZJ3b2k-2Jk/s400/QN4M5884.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Race day arrives, with Dani Pedrosa on pole, Jorge Lorenzo second on the front row with Casey taking up third spot. Ben Spies being fourth.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SS5E3B-ylBM/TlFuYHBKilI/AAAAAAAABPw/lXtYvXRCvxE/s1600/AMP_GP11_11_108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SS5E3B-ylBM/TlFuYHBKilI/AAAAAAAABPw/lXtYvXRCvxE/s400/AMP_GP11_11_108.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sadly the race would go Dani's way and Jorge had front tyre issues. Ben, suffering a pinched nerve in his necked valiantly battled to fifth.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bVjYe-KjFbU/TlFvmNLESGI/AAAAAAAABP4/YKaA4KJ8g48/s1600/LP3B0584.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bVjYe-KjFbU/TlFvmNLESGI/AAAAAAAABP4/YKaA4KJ8g48/s400/LP3B0584.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Marco Simoncelli would come out of the weekend by being the talk of race by actually getting on the podium, and not by race track antics and was obviously very pleased with his efforts.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yWW7_g0qjlA/TlFxC2pLONI/AAAAAAAABQA/EBMeX1-mZz8/s1600/QN4M7793.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yWW7_g0qjlA/TlFxC2pLONI/AAAAAAAABQA/EBMeX1-mZz8/s400/QN4M7793.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sunday, race weekend done and dusted some would leave to head home, and a few would remain for the tests that were scheduled for the Monday. Even though I wasn't feeling too chipper, there's something rather nice about not having any pressure to shoot and get a narrative of a race weekend when it comes to testing. So I simply took it easy and took pictures from places I had yet to discover or use from around the track. Being that I was leaving around 1 or 2pm to head back to my overnight hotel in Prague, I decided that I'd just shoot track. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEotbbXMX9dd55BDCucRiyJ29SjS6_f231AeYRZa2K_pPMs0hy03P3X782K1gUxyEbygK0hofi9VSLiEIonupZz3CHO-OBzGttjIdFcurb6tXwkzmnAbfH4vr2bAxaXZqALxNCKA/s1600/QN4M8040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEotbbXMX9dd55BDCucRiyJ29SjS6_f231AeYRZa2K_pPMs0hy03P3X782K1gUxyEbygK0hofi9VSLiEIonupZz3CHO-OBzGttjIdFcurb6tXwkzmnAbfH4vr2bAxaXZqALxNCKA/s400/QN4M8040.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So initially there were the old 800's running around, and then Ben popped out on his black clad Yamaha M1 2012 1000, Rossi and Hayden were runnign around still working on bits and bobs for the Ducati and Mika Kallio was out on the CRT Suter Marc VDS BMW powered MotoGP machine (which looked and sounded rather good) and the Jorge arrived on his black clad Yamaha M1 1000. The Honda's were out runnign around but in reality, there really wasn't any visual clues as to how different they were from their old 800 models. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iniGWKtYWqQ/TlF2MrPC4zI/AAAAAAAABQY/xWK9W7n_d4w/s1600/QN4M8316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iniGWKtYWqQ/TlF2MrPC4zI/AAAAAAAABQY/xWK9W7n_d4w/s400/QN4M8316.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So that was pretty much it. I stayed at the Monastery Hotel in Prague, as I do every trip prior to the trip home from the airport, had a lovely stay. Ate in the brewery next door and went to bed happy. Still not feeling that good, but knowing I was going home. Which is always a good thing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrgXH7I5u97EJ5QulDkbGaz-DCmqyFzKl9bjOVXMRlAbcML8aJTT3AEILhNc7YYIV6aZXjX0B_KBN6LHJaW_ehBnqTywUbrGAX2a3gCCHhiVPTVqee4weYwmMh9bBCA7P36ogeMQ/s1600/IMG_2868.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrgXH7I5u97EJ5QulDkbGaz-DCmqyFzKl9bjOVXMRlAbcML8aJTT3AEILhNc7YYIV6aZXjX0B_KBN6LHJaW_ehBnqTywUbrGAX2a3gCCHhiVPTVqee4weYwmMh9bBCA7P36ogeMQ/s400/IMG_2868.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sadly the next couple of weeks are going to be a little testing. Indianapolis is next, then I fly on to Bologna for the MotoGP at Misano. Hopefully the races will not be as tragic as last years at either event. Then home for a few days before leaving for Spain yet again. I love my wife Emily. I miss her so much when I travel.</div></div>Andrew Wheelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01423229982532678792noreply@blogger.com0Žebětín, Czech Republic49.204504423942232 16.45325725964357849.187655423942232 16.407034759643579 49.221353423942233 16.499479759643577tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31862275.post-71312945410714640802011-08-03T15:42:00.000-07:002011-08-03T15:44:39.376-07:00Currently available wall decorations.....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">....now that I seem to have this blog thing back under control, I thought I'd just mention on here that I do have a few things available for purchase....simply click on the links for more information...<br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XlBI-F8wRwQ/TjnLCq7LBhI/AAAAAAAABDM/f6txh6y1Kds/s1600/ROSSI_VALENCIA_AGV_LE.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XlBI-F8wRwQ/TjnLCq7LBhI/AAAAAAAABDM/f6txh6y1Kds/s200/ROSSI_VALENCIA_AGV_LE.jpeg" width="200" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://wee.im/dNYYWpOa">Click here for the 2008 Limited Edition VR46 canvas print</a><br />
now only two left....<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-65kbg8TtAY8/TjnL7VO1UWI/AAAAAAAABDU/m3V2wP4p-sQ/s1600/2011-ROSSI-HELMET-CANVAS-24x18-LE.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-65kbg8TtAY8/TjnL7VO1UWI/AAAAAAAABDU/m3V2wP4p-sQ/s200/2011-ROSSI-HELMET-CANVAS-24x18-LE.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div> <br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://wee.im/mgXGik">Click here for the 2011 Limited Edition VR46 canvas print</a><br />
they're quite popular...<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9KAg7Cn2-q8/TjnM_FM56yI/AAAAAAAABDY/9vSvco8v7VQ/s1600/5249_NH69_USGP06.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9KAg7Cn2-q8/TjnM_FM56yI/AAAAAAAABDY/9vSvco8v7VQ/s320/5249_NH69_USGP06.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://wee.im/DR8dyL">Click here for theNicky Hayden Laguna Seca 2006 Stars and Stripes</a><br />
and this will be around for a few days more.<br />
<br />
<br />
</div>Andrew Wheelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01423229982532678792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31862275.post-84365260810487627042011-07-30T13:10:00.000-07:002011-07-30T17:00:33.867-07:00News Update! Ben Spies Official Biography - Taking It to the Next Level<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd65rcCmo0-_PtAsGDoyX2vVTK7kzofgP83VilMM1umFsJcXP0vylZrk987jrOkINTeo_Je6nh83JIB6CUOGS94XVzTer9J08tIV9DmxqdPNawj10lpFuwwws5ZEJvaG9-Y_oNXA/s1600/Spies+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd65rcCmo0-_PtAsGDoyX2vVTK7kzofgP83VilMM1umFsJcXP0vylZrk987jrOkINTeo_Je6nh83JIB6CUOGS94XVzTer9J08tIV9DmxqdPNawj10lpFuwwws5ZEJvaG9-Y_oNXA/s320/Spies+cover.jpg" width="275" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Ben Spies Biography - Taking It To The Next Level - Book Cover Photo by Andrew Wheeler AutoMotoPhoto</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Just a quick "flash update" to the blog (I'm trying to be proactive now...). I am thrilled to announce that this is my first book cover in MotoGP and the subject matter couldn't be any closer to my old AMA roots. It's the cover of Ben Spies' autobiography! The image was taken at Catalunya earlier this year. Well, that's it! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">You can find out more information about the title as well as details on purchasing this book <a href="http://wee.im/k2zZtj">here</a> on Ben Spies' Official website.</div></div>Andrew Wheelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01423229982532678792noreply@blogger.com0