Rally of Lithgow 2010 Photos by MSP

[MSP]

Another exciting event completed, and mark on the calendar for 2011. I was excited to learn that almost half the field were Mitsubishi's, and the rest of the cars didn't disappoint either .

I didn't book my flights until last minute, and as everything sky rocket I decided to fly down on a cheap 8am flight Friday morning.



Only to wait for nearly an hour trying to pickup a hire car. By the time I crossed Sydney it was obvious that I would not make the media day, maybe next year! I met up with another photographer (Dave Watson) and had a fun drive up to Lithgow. Must bring the evo next year, awesome drive even in the rental.



We headed straight for SS1 and marked a few points of interest. After a second pass we marked the first hump within sight of the finish. We almost ended the rally at that jump, as a kangaroo the size of the corolla bounced out of the bushes rubbing up the number plate (should of taken that extra insurance!). Lucky I was only in first gear, and by the time I hit the brakes it cleared us by inches.

We completed recce in the dark, finishing up at the Hampton Motel.



Saturday morning we rechecked a few points, and made our way to the main street to see the start.



Locals seemed very interested in the equipment on display, and it transformed a very quite main street to place of much interest.



I really enjoy trying to capture something interesting in the car park as it allows a little more time than the action in the forests.





Drivers looked relaxed, and keen to get onto the forest roads.

[MSP]

The sun was creating very strong contrast, and shading half of the cars. So I spent a while focussing on detail.



Time was getting on, so we rushed out to SS1 to find our jump. But as we arrived we realised we had never stopped and looked from outside the car. Clearly it was too close to the corner, and cars would not have enough speed by the time they hit the hump for anything spectacular. I persisted for far too long, and tried moving around to capture something interesting.







It just wasn't going to happen, so time to take a big risk and walk further in. One thing I am learning, if the spot doesn't work then move, don't hesitate!!

Some locals appeared along the route to catch a glimpse of what was making all the crap, pop and bangs. I saw about twenty nice trail bikes parked amongst the pine trees.

[MSP]

About one kilometre in, and I found the jump I should have been at earlier!! First car was a civic, that rocketed towards me. Instead of downshifting, I heard the driver pull another gear







I reacted to the car coming down nose first, and started to step behind the tree I had next to me. Still shooting, but not looking through the lens I captured the rebound but out of frame.



The location didn't disappoint and I continued to wait for another keen driver.





As I prepared to leave, I heard a car screaming through the hills and to my surprise, it wasn't a honda engine!

[nismo_sss]

Nigel, your work is totally awesome, i especially like all the photo's you took at Rally Oz, (i'm Matt that had the vr4 on the hill on the last day), we ended up getting some good pics but not many and the quality is nowhere near as good, did you guys end up uploading the video from the camera on the road? i'd love to see it! Will you be going to Rally QLD?
Keep up the awesome work mate!
Matt

[MSP]

thanks, nice to know someone is appreciating the images. And thanks for the water at WRC, still not taking enough to rallies. I made the mistake of shooting the slow downhill corner (if you can call them slow;_). But Stefan nailed the shots, capturing the jump shot of Mikko.

I did a quick search for the footage, but couldn't locate it. I'll ask our friend for it, and include it in a slideshow in the future. Turned out to be some very unique video! Hope to be allowed to shoot QLD, and Coffs later next month. WHat did you do with your images?

[MSP]

As the last cars completed the stage I rushed out of the forest, trying to make SS4 before the first car arrived.



We drove up a very rough 4wd track, and arrived at the road closure for SS4. The recce had paid off, we knew that we had made a decision that would make up for the first stage we shot. The light was perfect, and lasted until almost the very last car.



The back drop was amazing, and allowed for nice composition. Shooting tight you could see the drivers holding their hands up to block the sun, as they drove directly towards the setting sun.





As you can tell, I shot a lot of photos at this location. Dave had my wide angle, so I concentrated on tight shots. And you could not stand in the wrong place, the light was the best I have ever worked with.





Just by crossing the road, you could capture a completely different shot. At least three of four different shots presented themselves, a dream.

[MSP]

The light faded quickly, and we knew we had limited time to capture anything on the remaining stages.







As we drove towards SS6, we caught a glimpse of the sun. We where rewarded when we arrived, seeing a beautiful sunset silhouetting the spectators.





The light faded within a few minutes, and shooting without a flash was almost impossible.



This next shot is one of those images that reminds me of a great moment, as I panned the camera at ultra low shutter speed a huge fireball lit up the pine trees in the background. Checking the shot, it was completely out of focus, yet this image after it was in focus. But no flames! The one that got away...



The light completely disappeared, and left me shooting with the flash. Which I fail miserably at. This left me to shoot a few video clips, and stop and enjoy the sound of the cars and take in the action.



The last shot I captured involved climbing a pine tree that had fallen over. And placing the camera in between two branches. I put it on timer mode and jumped to the ground. Only to race up to check the shots every 30 seconds.

[MSP]

I posted up a guide to viewing photos of your car earlier. I spend several hours tagging each shot with driver, co driver and car number so you don't have to spend hours searching.

If you want to see shots of only your car, then follow the guide here:
AMSAG Oberon Rally 2009 photos by MSP

I fly out in 7 days to try and capture some WRC action in New Zealand. So anyone wanting prints or just a digital file, please note that I will be able to send orders up until the end of the week.

Thank you to those that have made a purchase, which ensures we are able to make it to the next event to document it for all to enjoy. I hope I can capture something great of everyone by the end of 2010.

For those who want to follow the action, visit here and subscribe.

Motorsport Photography | Facebook

[sportsclassic]

Nigel, your shots are amazing!! myself of my sister will contact you about buying the sequence of shots you took of me over that hump!!

[Ausrally]

Nigel:

Your work has really stepped up a notch. and for those whop think the difference between amateur and pros is nothing but a pass, think again. I look forward to seeing your work after Coffs!

[Rallydat]

Nigel, That timer shot has to be one of the best motorsport shots I have ever seen. Really captures the essence of what photographing night Rallying at is all about. Takes me back to standing in the middle of the night on the bridge over Warringah Freeway at North Sydney taking timed exposure shots of the traffic.

Richard

[Kris]

Bloody nice photos!

[Jme]

I asked Casmiri to hit that hump for me at speed in recce 'cause he had a VR4 with DMS... give me an idea of how it was going to kick the car... at 60kph of course

He came back to me saying it was a bit dodgy, so I changed my notes from fast to medium and drove it as such. I also had it as a 'full left' as that was where the hump was less severe.

Adam was part of this conversation... and agreed with me the whole way through. Medium hump, take it full left.

Come the rally... he hits it flat-out and in the middle.

There I was thinking that as a student of the 'Jamie Neale school of pacenoting' I had some influence in his development as a rally driver. Obviously he just does the opposite of what I figure, and agrees with me when asked.

It was a good drive. That's the 3rd rally he has done on his own notes, but the first where he has gone any distance. At 20yo Adam has got a big future... because it's starting to become clear that he is able to pacenote, and because he gets a kick in the ar5e when people around him see those pics.

[John G M]

Thanks Nigel, great shots. Only put in an order tonight and got them already. Great quality fast service. We always look forward to getting good shots of us, and I am shore a lot of other people want the same, so support our rally photographers and buy a couple of photos!.
John M.

[MSP]

Adam, thanks for your positive comments. One of the best things about motorsport photography, is capturing someone having a solid go. And freezing that moment in time, for all to enjoy. I had a huge smile walking out of stage, checking, checking again and then rechecking the sequence on the camera. If any shot I captured would make a good print, that is the shot. I'll put together an idea and send it over.

Thanks Dallas, appreciate you noticing this. I cannot wait to shoot Coffs, as last year we had the ultimate place booked on sapphire beach and ended up staying even when the rally was cancelled due to road damage. It was actually really enjoyable to stay in, and hang around the pool drinking and taking in the beauty of the place.

This year we booked it early, and have a few people coming along to enjoy the rally.

The house sleeps ten, and is a great escape from reality. I've stayed a few times, combining it with hill climbs at Grafton or at Raleigh in Coffs. Anyone looking for a great place to stay, check out:

Gallery :: Liapari
or
: : SAPPHIRE SEAS : : BEACH HOUSE :: COFFS HARBOUR : :



Both places sleep 8-10 people, and you can get a great deal by contacting owners directly. Send me a pm if you require numbers ;_)

You couldn't get any closer to the beach, and if the beach isn't your thing then it has a pool table, spa and swimming pool. A great place to catch up with mates and enjoy a drink or three.


Anyway, waaay off topic but thought it was worth sharing.


Richard, thank you. That shot took some trial and error, as I had to climb a tree that had fallen over and place the camera between the branches. Then I jumped down while the camera shutter was open, and climbed back up to check it. Here is a pic I shot on my iphone, the strange things you do when in the forest t night alone



Jamie, interesting story. It's good to be bringing some of the unseen action back from the forests. In car just doesn't do something like that justice.

Thank you for taking the time Kris.

John, happy to hear you received them and like what you see. Thanks for pointing others in the right direction