Motorsports – Page 2 – Dan Routh Photography

Whoop Ti Do

A Morris Minor races in a vintage event at Virginia International Raceway.

Watching the 24 Hours of Le Mans this afternoon, and it’s putting me in the mood for sportscar racing. Guess I’ll have to wait till later on in the year and maybe I can catch a glimpse of something like this vintage Maserati 450S running at Virginia International Raceway.

Gentlemen, Start Your Engines.

Automobile, Motorsports

Twenty years ago, the weekends would often find me at the track; oval, curved or straight. NASCAR was in full stride, moving up. Personalities were everywhere. Advertising was strong and budgets were available. It was an exciting time in motorsports, and I was fortunate to be a part of it.

1962 Ferrari 250GTO

Automobile, Motorsports

The Ferrari 250GTO is arguably the most beautiful car body ever built. This particular one shown at Virginia International Raceway is probably also the most original in existence.

Vintage Racing

Motorsports

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.

Yellow Race Cars from the Files

Automobile, Motorsports

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.

Drag Racing Legend

Automobile, Motorsports

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.

Rolex Grand Am Racing at VIR

Automobile, Motorsports

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.

Vintage Race Cars

Automobile, Motorsports

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.