Race Retro 2013: Legends, Classics and Vintage Icons

After enjoying my adventure to the Autosport International 2013 show at the NEC I decided that I’d apply for a press pass on behalf of RaceCarBuzz.com to cover the 2013 Race Retro event at Stoneleigh Park, Coventry. This event showcases the world of historic and vintage motorsport, and features championship displays, art stands, and auto jumble and even a rally stage.

Tools of the trade for classic motorsport Photography

I took with my a Canon 5D Mk 2 (of Mr Joel Rowbottom Esq), along with a 70-200 f/2.8 IS II, 16-35mm f/2.8 and 24-105 f/2.8. As is customary these days, I also took the Mamiya C330F, along with both the 80mm f/2.8 blue dot lens, and a newly acquired 55mm f/4.5. This would have Delta 3200 for indoors, and Delta 400 for the rally stage.

Iconic cars, with iconic owners

There were many, many beautiful cars on display at this year’s Race Retro. One of the most recognisable, mainly from Tamiya model kits was the Datsun 240z, with its distinctive red and black livery.

The distinctive Datsun 240z was present at the show, in fully race prepared form as part of the Tour Britania stand.

A classy car with a famous owner was present on the VSCC stand this year, with Nick Mason’s Aston Martin Ulster LM24 taking centre stage on their display. As a VSCC member, I can’t wait for the new season to start at Silverstone in April. I used the 16-35mm lens along with some bounce flash to capture this big red racing machine on display.

Pink Floyd member Nick Mason’s Aston Martin Ulster LM24 was the highlight of the VSCC stand.

Classic rally cars, cold conditions

I was fortunate enough to get a tabard to go out onto the rally stage to photograph a host of classic go karts and rally cars on a small rally stage that had been set up for the event. The freezing conditions were the biggest challenge, and not even fingerless gloves and a woolly hat knitted by Mother dearest could keep me warm. I put the 70-200mm lens on for this, so that I could stand far enough away to be safe but be able to zoom close enough to photograph the cars.

I was also using a new Op/Tech dual camera harness, so that I could have my digital and film camera out at the same time. I found that this worked really well, and was comfortable to wear even over long periods of time. I would however want to get the longer straps for the digital camera, as holding it in portrait orientation was a bit of a stretch.

Out on the stage, the rally cars came thick and fast. Quattros, R5s, 6R4s, Talbots and Porsches formed part of the lineup, all of them pushing the limits of the track and kicking up the dirt.

Audi Quattro racing out on the rally stage at race retro. A really iconic car that sounded great, and looked amazing.

Lots of Mamiya love

The Mamiya C330F always gets a lot of attention, and at Race Retro 2013 this was also the case. I think the unusual twin lens look of the camera, combined with it’s sheer size is what really captures people’s eyes. I find the quality of the images this camera creates, when used correctly, are something really special. A lot of people came up to me to ask about the camera, and I love showing people that these ‘old cameras’ can still produce great images.

A timeless photograph on Delta 400 of a lineup of Mini rally cars. Framing, as always, is the key to using the square format.

I thought that this photograph of these Minis had a really timeless look to it, and the range of tones to come out of Delta 400 (processed in DD-X, as ever) added to it’s depth. The square format can be hard to frame with at times, but I used the curve of the lined up cars to bring the subjects out of the frame.

A famous face or two

Having a press pass for such an event can be quite a surreal experience. While in the press room, who should walk in? Not one, but two motorsport legends: Murray Walker and Sir Stirling Moss. I managed to chat to Murray for a brief time, and he asked me about the Mamiya and why it had two lenses. He was a lovely gentelman to talk to, and to be quite honest I did feel a little star struck. Later on in the day, I asked Murray if I could photograph him on the Mamiya, and he was most obliging.

Murray Walker was kind enough to allow me to photograph him on the Mamiya C330F – this will be a photograph I will treasure for a lifetime.

I’ve now photographed Sir Stirling Moss, Johnny Herbert, Murray Walker and Sir Stirling Moss on my Mamiya C330F. Hopefully this year I will be able to photograph many more racing legends on this camera, and I intend to take it to all of the motorsport events I attend. I am thinking of compiling a book of photograph from it at the end of the season, but I’ll see how I get on as the year progresses.

Summing up Race Retro 2013

This was another great event, and I am glad that I took the opportunity to make the long journey to Coventry at half 6 in the morning. After the event, I developed my photographs (both digital and film) before writing my article for RaceCarBuzz which is now online. I’d like to thank Martin Hopkins who allowed me to cover the event for the site, Joel Rowbottom for his generous lending of his 5D Mk2 for the day, and the team at Poppyseed media for being so helpful with the passes and organisation (and tea and biscuits!) at the show.

I have a selection of my images in my Race Retro 2013 set on Flickr, including shots from the Mamiya C330F.

Posted in: 6x6, Classic Racing, Digital, Events, Film Photography, Medium Format, Motorsport, Rallying