Road Atlanta thoughts - Sorry about the delay..

I know, I said I was going to update "shortly" but things got a bit crazy and the old blog took a hit in the updates department. This update may wander from past tense to current tense so apologies before hand. Let's just say it's a time machine update...

Needless to say I was so pleased for Josh Hayes (see below). The guy works hard and really really went out this year to prove that he could win the FX Championship two times in a row. So kudos to the man from Gulfport, LA!

I would also like to say how much I enjoyed working with Australian Superbike Champion and Yamaha rider Jamie Stauffer and his merry crew over the weekend. Not to mention his kind and super cool manager Stephanie Little. Jamie has been visiting the US and is taking part in the Superbike and SuperStock races here at Road Atlanta and at the last round of the AMA Superbike series at Laguna Seca (see above...)

Again, Yoshimura Suzuki rider Mat Mladin was something to watch on track. People can say what they like about Mat, but for me watching him ride is ethereal.

Oh, and a big thank you to the Comfort Suites Inn at Suwannee for being so helpful and changing my fridge out...!Laguna update coming shortly...

17 Years Today - Another Cover - Aaron Yates RRX

That's right readers.

17 years ago today I arrived at SFO in the USA with 5 suitcases (one half of one was used to bring me home from hospital after I was born), a collection of "Q" magazines, my favourite teddy bear and a few items that meant a lot to me as I grew up back in the UK before meeting Emily, getting married and moving here. All I can say is, I have never stopped realising what a blast my life is. I have as a mate, the coolest woman in the world, the coolest job in the world, and ultimately the coolest life in the world and someone to share it all with. It's not been without some hard work mind you, but so far it's only getting better.

Oh, and I thought I should let folks know that they need to rush out and buy the current edition of Road Racer X featuring Jordan Suzuki rider Aaron Yates on the cover taken by yours truly, Andrew Wheeler. I'll update my thoughts on Road Atlanta in a separate post, however, for now I'd also like to congratulate Erion Honda rider, and good friend Josh Hayes on his second Formula Extreme Championship win that he locked in at Road Atlanta. Fortunately I was in the the right place at the right time to capture this little gem.

I'm all Packed For Road Atlanta - VIR Update!

Romans!

A short missive here. But I felt that I should say something about how generous I find these folks I spend pretty much my entire life with these days.

One such person, who has shown kindness and generosity to myself ever since I started down this career path is Josh Hayes, currently the Erion Honda Formula Extreme Champion. Ever since my first outing with my camera and gear during a test at laguna Seca, where I captured the moment where his front brake failed aboard the Attack Kawasaki ZX10R superbike. He was the first person I ever sold a print to, in fact it was a 12 image single print of this very incident.

One such event happened the other weekend following Josh Hayes' Formula Extreme win over Larry Pegram and Marty Craggill. After receiving the trophy from Bruce of Arai Helmets, and the traditional spraying of champagne, he simply walked over to Bruce, and gave the first place trophy back to him and said this is for you. Bruce was overwhelmed, and SO overwhelmed things were getting emotional! Melissa, Joshs' fiancé, was getting all bleary eyed, and then I too, started getting bleary eyed, being the soppy fart I am!

With that in mind, here's a shot of Bruce just after receiving his gift...Amazing. It's why I love this sport.

Oh, and one last picture. I do try to not replicate exactly what I did the year before, however, there is one spot on the track at VIR that if the light is right, creates an image I personally love and so I like to try and get another rider in that magical place each time. This time it is Ben Spies (it was Mat Mladin before..) and for me it sums up VIR (aside from the pulled pork that is...)With that in mind, I'll bid you adieu, finish packing my gear and start getting dinner. Gumbo tonight!

TTFN - Andrew

AMA Superbikes in Ohio - (Almost) Night Racing

Good afternoon...

I got caught out by being busy and so I apolgise for not updating this before I left for Virginia. TIme seems to be at a premium the week before I head off to my next destination. Anyways, Mid Ohio was certainly entertaining. As is always the case, rain made an appearance, plus I got trapped in the elevator for 20 minutes. All good fun. However, the highlight of the weekend was the start of Sunday's Superbike race. After much track drying, an almost street party like atmosphere on the pit lane (it's very unusual to see all the teams and riders in one place at one time). Most were just sitting on the armco, some were watching the track drying efforts, and in general the atmosphere felt pretty good. Then it was time to go racing. 6.30pm rolled around and the big boy's hit the track for their warm up. 15 minutes later the warm up was over, then a 10 minute break, and we're racing. No grid girls, no pomp and circumstance and a hurried National Anthem was sung and it was green for go....

That race in the bag and now it was 7.35pm and the Supersport boys are heading out for their warm up. Now the light is seriously fading. Even my flash is beginning to actually light up the night...The warm up session over, Morgan (Broadhead - AMA Race Director) is going to each rider asking them their opinion on racing. Chaz Davies (Celtic Racing #157 - who was on pole) is asked how he feels about the light, and even with a dark tinted visor he's ready to go racing. However, a large group of riders is forming and much to the disappointment of Chaz Davies it is decided to call it day (or night)..

Oddly enough, as that decision is made, the generators kick in and track and paddock lights burst into life. Time for bed said Zebedee...

Next post - VIR (Virginia International Raceway)

Red Bull USGP Footnote

Something whilst I think of it.

I'll add my Mid Ohio update before I head off to Virginia International Raceway later this week.

I just wanted to add a little tear sheet from the current issue of Motorcycle Racer Magazine in the UK (MCR#99). I feel it's important to sometimes get a little thrill from your own work, otherwise what's the point? This image did it for me.

Especially when an art director picks an image outside of the usual images I supply (MotoGP imagery is *well covered* by some of the big names in the industry)then it truly tickles me. Especially when it's one I actually enjoyed the snappy conceptualising process. it's nothing new in that respect, but the sky was gorgeous, the air was clear and the contrasts of red white and blue just smacked me upside the head.

Anyways, here it is. It's a shot of Casey Stoner traversing Rainey Curve (T9) at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

Off to Mid Ohio again

Peeps..

Sorry for the tardy responses but I have been so busy.

I have just added images from the Red Bull USGP (MotoGP) to my site. I returned from Mid Ohio on Monday last after covering the Vintage Motorcycle races and so everything has been somewhat of a rush.

Anyways, I'm off to bed, needless to say I will have some stuff from the AMA Superbike races at Mid Ohio to share in due course.

Meanwhile, check out my site for the latest and greatest.

Bye for now - Andrew

From two wheels to four...

Well, a brief update, as I'm off to the Red Bull United States Grand Prix tomorrow..

I skipped Miller, for the AMA Superbike races. A shame really, but being that I am the OTP (Official Track Photographer) of the MId Ohio Sports Car Course I decided that it might be good to cover something new. It's good for the modicum.

So, here you are, a couple of images from the weekend.Patrick Long coming off the "Key Hole" at Mid Ohio......and a goofy picture of yours truly "drafting" a Porsche transporter More from the USGP to come....

Night for now!

Impressed, humbled and why wasn't there track days when I was 16?

Odd.

Here I am, just turned 45 (and no, my age doesn't bother me) and I have one of the coolest jobs on the planet, and meet some of the most down to earth, real people in the world. Every weekend I go to a race track to document the skills and antics of these ever-so talented men and women (yeah I know there are more men THAN women in the AMA but it will change) and every time I get on the plane to come home I feel energized and infused and rejuvenated. Take the last round of the AMA Superbike Series at Road America, nr Lake Elkhart in Wisconsin.

As we all know, the weather can play a factor in the events here. The track is one of the longest in the US and for me, feels like an American version of Spa Francorchamps (it's about the same length). The track has long straights, sweeping corners and corners that tighten up. It also has the ability to have two or three different "weathers" going on across it's entire length.

It's a challenge.

However, this weekend I was reminded of how lucky I am, and how any people that I capture affect my own day to day life. Take Aaron Yates. Gritty racer, skillful, explosive personality with charm and eloquence. Watching Aaron work his race craft thrills me. His bike management skills are impressive, and his willingness to push the envelope remind me of how I'd be a mad arse on the road back in the UK. In fact how stupid that was might be a better reflection. But watching his riding style in the rain, on the start finish straight at Road America reminded me of how one would ride a horse. Off the pegs, perched forward over the withers...and for me, stupid as I was on the top of the control tower in a lightning storm, I was pleased I was able to capture it...

One other rider who embodies how I felt when I was his age is Danny Eslick. Talented, entertaining, charming and an all round good kid, I watch him ride and see how I rode a bike when I was his age. Danny is a talented young man, charming, and very determined. I hope that in grand scale of things he does well. He has talent. I always look forward to meeting up with Danny, as does my wife.
I love what I do. I hate being away from my wife. So when the weekend goes well, the racing is good and the riders look like they're enjoying themselves. It all works.

Andrew

It's not always about the bikes..

Okay, so I'm a little inside my monthly update, but I wanted to mention whilst I'm deciding on how to cook salmon before I head off to Road America tomorrow, and wanted to share this missive with those peeps lucky enough to spend some time on my site and reading this verbiage. Please indulge me.

I love my wife. Deeply. Emily is truly the most wonderful person in my universe and sometimes I wonder what I did to be in the same time continuum as someone so switched on, so smart and so alive. Well, I guess that's something for the stars.

One thing I have observed being around these bike racer types, and chats with Rachel (Hacking) and Aaron Yates wife Heather, we all have one thing in common. We believe in the end goal. It's a team thing, like a marriage should be. No one person "owns" another, nothing "belongs' to one person, it's about the unit, and working together, love and trust.

And before I descend into the deep philosophical depths I just want to say, that having Emily be alongside me whilst working, (she even took some photos AND they were sharp, and in context) was equivalent to having training wheels taken off of your Raleigh, or learning to walk, falling in love (oh wait I do that each day - to this day my tummy flips when I meet her for lunch or see her face at the airport when i come home - and we've been married over 17 years).

I love you, I'll be home on Monday and I promise I'll send you some wallpapers buddy.

Thank you for being in my life Emily. I love you.



I should add, that a soupcon of motorcycle racing photography from the AMA Superbike races at Infineon are now online, I hope you like them..

Andrew :)

Well folks, here it is, my monthly blog update....Fame does have it's price you know! (You gotta love that self deprecating British humour...)

Anyways, what a busy few weeks. We had the AMA races at Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama, followed the next week by the AMA Superbike races at Fontana. Madness. Then this past weekend, and yours truly had a cold, baaad cold, I was at the Legend of Motorcycles Concourse D'Elegance at the plush Ritz Carlton Hotel in Half Moon Bay, mixing it up with notable chopper builders such as Roland Sands, Chica and ex-Porsche factory racer and erstwhile motorcycle nut Alain De Cadenet. It was a good day, and would've been better had I not been sick.

Oh well. Next weekend it's off to Infineon for the AMA Superbike races. It's always a good time there.

Bye for now!

17 Years of Bliss - Another Cover - AMA SBK Barber

Daytona is done with for another year. I was lucky that my wife was able to join me, thus stopping me from losing my mind. After two mechanical failures with my cameras and a CF card (sensor on the MK2N and lens mount on the old MK2 - fortunately they held on and off and on and off until almost the end of Saturday) I was able to complete the week and we left to come home on Sunday. Testing at Laguna Seca tomorrow (4/4) and Infineon/Sears Point on Thursday and Friday and then it's off to a real racetrack at Birmingham Alabama for Round 2 of the AMA Superbike Series. Wheelers World is being updated as I write, oh and as you can see above there's another cover shot from yours truly on the cover of May's RoadRacerX of the champ, Ben Spies.

Happy Wedding Anniversary to my wife Emily. 17 years we've been married today and I love her so much.

See you at Barber!

Another Cover Shot - Daytona Beckons - Book Info

Another cover shot, this time of Eric Bostrom aka Eboz, from yours truly adorns the cover of the new edition of Road RacerX for March/April and if I say so myself looks rather spiffy! This edition is a review of the upcoming 2007 racing season which is setting up to be a corker!

Also, my book is doing rather well, you can see the photo of it below or click on the link at the end of this sentence to see the cover, a sample of the inside (of images from Mugello) and of course a photo of the book in all it's glory...

Click here: AutoMotoPhoto® 2006 Review

A little under 3 weeks to Daytona for the start of the AMA Superbike Season. If you're a British/European motorcycle racing magazine please contact me for images, race reports or write-ups. I photograph and write.

I think that's all for now. I'll have some more news in a few days once I figure out how to make a splash... ;)

AutoMotoPhoto 2006 Review - Happy New Year!

Well folks, looks like another year is virtually done and dusted. Where does the time go?

After a successful trip to Daytona for the tyre test, 2007 looks like it's setting itself up to be a cracking year as my plans begin to shape up nicely.

My 2006 AutoMotoPhoto Review book has now been published and it's 2 inches BIGGER than my 2005 Review...


A few "Thank You's" are in order...

Firstly my wife Emily, for all the love and support she provides me. Without her this woouldn't have happened (it's her fault I got into this business in the first place).

To Chris Jonnum and Laurel C Allen at RoadRacerX and to Matthew Miles and Robyn Davis at CycleWorld. I look forward to working with you through 2007. To Gary Inman and the folks at Performance Bikes and to Larry Carter and Rich Page at Motorcycle Racer in the UK and to all the other magazines and editors who have used my work and services throughout this amazing year.

Finally, to Andrea Wilson. Who has been a friend and a confidant throughout the year and someone whose company has been an important part of my world.

Watch out for my work in the new 2006/7 edition of the Motorcycle Racing "Bible" Motocourse and whilst you're here, why not make yourself a cup of tea, or coffee, grab a digestive or two and click on Wheeler's World and take a peek at my review of 2006

..and don't forget to check out Liam Shuberts' website. Liam is a great guy with a wonderful attitude and took the huge leap of faith to find work within the fast paced world of MotoGP by simply upping sticks, packing his bags and heading off to Spain to see what he could do to work with a MotoGP team. Through hard work and tenacity he landed a job as a mechanic with the Pramac D'Antin Ducati Team. Just before Christmas Liam asked if I'd like to be interviewed for the MotoGP Podcasting website. I took him up on the offer and so if you have the the technology, you can actually hear what I sound like (no Wurzel or Zyder jokes please...)! There is also an interview with Colin Edwards and other people who work in the fast world of motorcycle racing! So go listen!

Thanks again to all who ride and race and make this sport the thrill that it is.

See you in 2007...

Andrew

My "Once A Month" Official Update!

Another quickie update from me. I must try and finish my 2006 AutoMotoPhoto Review as well as update my "Wheelers World" on CycleWorld's website. I have just been so busy, with image requests and self assigned projects it's just crazy!

Anyways, off to Daytona in a couple of weeks for the tyre testing.

One from Smiths Beach in Australia (Phillip Island)



Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Andrew :)

No really! I have been busy....

Peeps, my apologies to all who click through to here. This year has been tremendously busy for me and in it's own way quite a successful year too.

Since I last posted I have been to Phillip Island in Australia for the Australian MotoGP and just the other weekend rounded out my AMA year at Mid Ohio for the final shootout of the year. Whilst I'm tooting (and I'll post some "tear sheets" soon - both on here and on my site) I have cover images on both RoadRacing World (October Issue) and now the new edition of Road Racer X.

I have also updated "Wheeler's World" on the CycleWorld website too! Click the link to the right to check it out!

Here's a couple of images from Philip Island - I'll share a couple from Mid Ohio2 in a wee bit...plus I'll have some exciting news for all in a couple of weeks too!

Phew - Busy Busy

Not much to add here, Mid Ohio was as always enjoyable, and considerably more enjoyable than it was last year when my dog Jack died. Speaking of which I cannot wait for the season to be over and we go find (rescue) a new big dog puppy. I love our two cats, Widget and Bean, immensely. But a dog has another quality I love and have missed since Jack died. However, it's taken me a long time to get over Jacks' death. This might sound odd to many folks, but it was easier to come to terms with my Father's death vs my dog Jack.

Ben Spies doing that thing with his elbows at Mid Ohio

VIR is always enjoyable, but oh my oh my it was hot. The smells that permeate the open car window on the way to the track are something else. I couldn't live there, far too humid and I don't need to be reminded of hurricane season each year (I did grow up in the UK so the weather systems are similar) and I enjoy my cool Northern California coastal air.

But it's extremely pretty in Virginia.

One very hot Mat Mladin after winning Sunday's SBK race at VIR:

Next up Road Atlanta. See you there.

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Related Feature

The above article features related content

I know I haven't exactly screamed to the world (or Da Vorld) "I have a blog" but just to keep this thing current and to maintain a habit of adding verbiage, I have updated my website with my visual take on the USGP at Laguna Seca on July 21-23...

Cause for a celebration perhaps?

Mid Ohio up next. The AMA Superbike races are taking place at Lexington and It will be interesting to see how the new track surface affects the riders and their times. Apparently they have all new curbing so that should be a delight for the eyes, photographically speaking. This race also has some poignancy being that whilst I was here last year my dog Jack died. He was simply wonderful. Go see Jack!

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