Commercial, Advertising and Editorial Photography. Greensboro, North Carolina
In the past I had the opportunity to shoot a lot of motor racing, in fact, at one time racing was a major part of my business. And, I must admit I miss it, but the market is just not there anymore. I do get the opportunity to shoot the occasional event like this vintage race at Virginia International Raceway north of Greensboro. Love seeing these old beasts, like this Porsche RSR and Jaguar D-Type (sans fin) go at it in anger again.
(Photographs copyright 2010 by Dan Routh)
From my files, several yellow race car images. A Lola T-70 coupe above on track at Road Atlanta and below are Michael Schumacher’s Benetton Formula One car and an SCCA Dodge Viper.
(photographs copyright 2009 by Dan Routh)
(photograph copyright 2009 by Dan Routh)
Today’s photograph is pulled from my files and goes back to the days when a lot of my work was based on motorsports. The image is of International Motorsports Hall of Famer and Pro Stock driver Bob Glidden, who when he retired in 1997 held the record for the most NHRA wins at 85 (he now stands third overall). I shot this shot from a cherry picker over the start line at Rockingham, North Carolina.
I went up to Virginia International Raceway on Friday and caught practice for the Rolex Grand Am race. Both the DP (Daytona Prototype) and GT cars were on track. Above is the eventual race-winning Gainsco Pontiac.
(photographs copyright 2009 by Dan Routh)
One of my weaknesses is old race cars. Watching and listening to these vintage machines go around the track in anger arouses me. I’m glad that some people have the interest and where-with-all to keep these classic machines going. I wonder how the economy will affect motorsports in general and vintage racing in particular. I hope they can keep these old cars on the track so we can continue to enjoy them. It’s one thing to see an old car in a museum and quite another thing to experience them doing what they were designed to do, go fast. Photographs are from Virginia International Raceway and Road Atlanta.
(photographs copyright 2009 by Dan Routh)
(image copyright 2009 by Dan Routh)
The drive in to work this morning was a lot like this image from Virginia International Raceway.
(image copyright 2009 by Dan Routh)
Yes, it’s that time of year again. The Rolex 24 hours was run this past weekend, and the Daytona 500 is just around the corner, so auto racing is about to start a new season. As racing is one of my weaknesses (especially sports car road racing), I look forward to the new year, although I wonder what effect the economic downturn will have. I hope to be able to shoot at least a few events. Photo is of an old Formula One car from a vintage race at Road Atlanta.
A birdcage Maserati runs in anger at Virginia International Raceway. Called a birdcage because of it’s frame style, cars like this ran at VIR during the late 50’s and early 60’s. They run again at various vintage events at the track. For more info on VIR, located in southern Virginia near Danville, go to http://virclub.com.
Below is a Maserati 450S. Carroll Shelby won the very first race at VIR in August 1957 in a similar car.
(images copyright 2008 by Dan Routh)
I woke to the sound of rain beating down on my house this morning as the remnants of tropical depression Faye moved through our area. Driving to work was a real thrill and reminded me of watching sport cars race around Virginia International Raceway in a downpour. Not quite the same, but real close. At least at VIR all of the cars are going in the same direction (most of the time).
(images copyright 2008 by Dan Routh)
One of my weaknesses is cars, especially race cars, and in particular, old race cars. Something about seeing and hearing a 50 year old race machine attack a track at speed sends a thrill down my spine. Not that I aspire to be a Juan Manuel Fangio or Jackie Stewart or even a Richard Petty, but the excitement is there. I travel north from Greensboro from time to time up to Virginia International Raceway where time rolls back. In addition to sanctioned Rolex, SCCA and AMA races, VIR holds it share of vintage events where Ferraris still fight it out with Porsches.
In addition to vintage racing, I have covered many racing events over the years for editorial and advertising assignments. I have shot NASCAR, NHRA, CART, AMA, Rolex GrandAM and ALMS events as well as providing studio and track images for several individual teams.
(images copyright 2008 by Dan Routh)
Dan Routh Photography 