Did you know that Mark is also a budding author?
His passion for bikes and his experience photographing American Landscapes has spurred him on to write two seperate books about these two different avenues. Mark hopes these will be publishes later this year. I will keep you posted.
After the wedding of Michala and Damion, we set off on an exhausting five hour drive to the Bennetts British Superbikes Championship in Cadwell Park. Arriving at our hotel for an overnight stay I was keen to make an early start having never photographed at Cadwell Park before. I set off in good time to have a look at the best vantage points for photographing the racing.
The circuit is tight and twisty and has a section called the mountain where the bikes actually take off over the top of it.
Photos from the weekend can be seen in the gallery.
So where was the biggest sporting crowd this weekend?
Was it at the new Wembley for the charity shield match between Chelsea and Manchester Utd? or was it at Twickenham for the rugby world cup warm up match England v Wales?
Well actually is was neither of these two.
The biggest crowd this weekend was at Brands Hatch in Kent watching the World Superbike Championship.
Slip sliding at Silverstone in the rain !!!!!!!!
This weekend we were at Silverstone photographing the World Superbikes. The season has started well for Britians James Toseland and the Hannspree Ten Kate Honda team. James lead the championship going into the weekend, by a clear 35 points despite his closest rival Nori Haga taking an impressive race winning double at Monza two weeks ago.
Saturdays practice and superpole qualifying in near perfect conditions, saw the usual suspects on the pace from the word go.
Defending champion Troy Bayliss seemingly fully recovered from his injuries at Donnington Park at the end of March (including the loss of most of his little finger on his right hand) set a new lap record and took pole position for Sundays races.
The weather was hot as was the racing this weekend for rounds 1&2 of the Bennetts British Superbikes Championship held at Brands Hatch this weekend.
Over 40,000 people attend race day and were treat to some excellent racing. This season there were some new and not so new faces competiting in the championship. Of the newer faces in this class were Leon Camier now riding a Superbike (as opposed to a supersport) Jonathan Rea on the full factory Honda and Tom Sykes on the Stobart Vent Axia bike joining the more established names of Greg Lavilla and Leon Haslam (Ducati Airwaves) Rio Kyonari (the defending champion) and Shane “Shakey” Byrne joining Sykes in the Stobart team. Add to this returning World Superbike star Chris Walker on the Rizla Suzuki and thisall adds up to one of the most competitive classes of motorbike racing around.
This weekend saw the return of World Superbikes Championship to Donnington Park after a five year absence.
This weekend was the deciding round of the British Superbikes series, with the final round at Brands Hatch. With double points at stake, as an earlier round was cancelled due to bad weather anyone of three riders could win the championship.
The previous evening, the three leading contenders Ryuichi Kiyonari, Leon Haslam and Gergorio Lavilla together with other members of the paddock and media attend a charity evening held to raise money for the Chris Jones Memorail Fund.
The two races were affected by the weather and red flags but in the end the championship went Ryo, with Leon runner-up and Gregorio finishing third.
Leon Haslam - could this be his last raid on the Airwaves Ducati ? strong rumours abound that he is likely to end up in the Moto Gp paddock riding a Honda.
The new champion Ryuichi Kiyonari. Surely the young Japanese rider will be back to defend the title next season - or do Honda have other plans for him ?
Shane “Shakey” Byrne despite some almighty crashes this season (including a near on 150mph get off at Snetterton) still finished strongly in his first year back in BSB - must surely be a strong contender for next years title.
Jonathan Rea - confirmed he’ll be riding a Honda next season but in which colours ? Impressive start to BSB in his rookie season.
Tommy Hill is staying with Virgin Yamaha, another strong contender for next season especially with his performance at World Superbike level as a wild card - will have a few more outings at WSB level next season including Assen as well as Brands and Silverstone.
Karl Harris - has lost his ride with HM plant Honda - no news on where he’ll be next season - let’s hope he gets a decent ride.
Gregorio Lavilla - Almost certainly his last ride in BSB as he is rumoured to be moving back up to WSB next year. Shown real class in the last two seasons in BSB and with a decent ride will go well at the world level.
Race pictures can be seen on the main site in the next few days - but for a change we’ve posted some behind the scene shots from around the paddock and pit area from the weekend which gives an insight to the race weekend.
Apologies to the ladies, but the paddock and pit lane is full of paddock girls promoting the various teams and sponsors products. In this instance Corona one of the main sponsors.
Well one us had been photographing all day !
You have to keep your wits about you as there are numerous scooters whizzing around the place taking the riders and mechanics to the pit lane.
For the weekend the paddock is transformed into a huge tent village where the teams and riders entertain thier sponsors and meet and greet some of the fans.
Troy Bayliss has a”team” photo with VIP guests at the Xerox Ducati suite.
There are a few opportunities throughout the race weekend when the fans can meet the riders - but it’s quite busy !
Fans waiting in anticipation of the Ducati team
7 times World Champion Carl Fogarty and team manager Foggy Petronas Racing. Mark clearly wins the “Bad Hair” competition !
Mark has a qucik chat with current Championship leader Troy Bayliss.
Two of the nice guys on the circuit - Troy Bayliss & James Toseland (below).
Former WBSK champion Britians James Toseland whose currently lying third in this years championship and is hoping to make the move to Moto GP next season.
After the race celebrations
and the poduim celebrations seen on TV (champagne spraying etc)
the riders are then whisked off to a series of after race press conferences
Where the sponsors product get national and international airing - Troy sporting his new “Superman” leathers to co-incide with the launch of the movie.
That’s just a brief incite into “Paddock Life” at a World Superbike meeting - there’s a lot more to it than just riding round in circles !!
On Thursday, the pitlane and paddock our open to the public for about four hours to allow you to get a “behind the scenes” view of the teams and riders. It really gives you an incite into the shear scale of the whole event.
James Ellison - the only UK rider in the premier class
Carlos Checa James’s team mate
GP legend (and now a Eurosport commentator) Randy Mamola
John Hopkins Honorary Brit !
Photographs from the GP will be posted on the main website shortly.
After watching England beat T&T we headed off to Snetterton Park to watch friday/saturdays qualifiying for the British Superbikes.
A pleasant 2 1/2 drive to just outside Norwich and we’d arrived at the hotel for a couple of nights break and two days photographing the bikes.
Plenty of action.
Even the best have off days !
Plenty more pictures on the main site.
Snetterton is a great track with many points offering great views of large parts of the circuit.
Mark
