101 Reasons Why You Need to See a Motorcycle Race at Road America Next Year
This breathtaking photo journal will show you everything you need to know.
An editor's note beginning this story. As a person who's had the privilege of enjoying and spectating at a number of motorsports over the years with the talented photographer who graces this page today, it's been an absolute pleasure watching the evolution of the images he's been able to capture.
A good photographer isn't their gear, it's about how their brain works. How they seem to instinctively know when to take a step forward or back, or maybe off to the side to get the image they want framed in camera just right. It's about how they're able to move carefully among all the many and varied moving parts in an active pit or paddock situation, get the shot, and stay mindful enough to stay out of the way of everyone who's working so hard to get the show going.
And most importantly, it's about the stories they're able to tell in a single image.
A bigger sensor or the fanciest, latest tech means you can crop in almost infinitely to reframe an image that you didn't perfectly frame when you took the shot. But if you've trained your eye to see what you want to capture in camera, and you can then make it happen, it's an impressive skill to master. Joseph has outdone himself this year, and we hope you'll think so, too.
—Janaki Jitchotvisut
I need to take a moment to express my gratitude to the folks at RideApart who have enabled my journey from spectator to credentialed shooter. As a life-long motorsports fan and photo geek, it has been a dream come true to put on the media vest, step to the other side of the fence, and shoot alongside corner workers; to jog with the teams on hot pit as they scramble to make the formation lap; to be in the scrum on the grid with the riders who are psyching themselves up for battle, and the mechanics fretting over tire temperatures and suspension settings, as well as the chaplain getting in a last moment prayer before the count-down clock reaches zero.
The urgency building as officials sound the air horn at 60-second intervals, swapping out their boards: 5 Minutes… 4 Minutes… 3 Minutes… until, eventually, we’re all evacuated from the grid. Mechanics, umbrella guys/gals, team owners, media, VIP guests; it doesn’t matter. We hold our collective breath along the wall as the engines rumble to life and our modern-day gladiators roll off, potentially risking theirs.
That’s the experience I wanted to share with the RideApart audience.
What it’s like as a motorsports fan to step beyond the ropes and get as close to the action as possible without donning one’s own leathers. To be in the thick of it while having the luxury of snapping photos. Capturing a moment in time, and hopefully conveying the emotional weight of a mechanic slapping his rider on the shoulder as they head off—mentally revisiting every nut and bolt, every adjustment, every safety-wire. The absolute joy of a defending champion embracing his daughter in celebration after securing yet another race win. The veteran club racer delighted to be contesting their first national level event vs the stone-faced pro for whom second place means bitter disappointment. The dichotomy of the big factory teams with dozens of staff and huge mobile workshops vs the privateers giving it their all with one easy-up canopy and a couple of paddock stands.
Even after decades of spectating, I still approach every race with wide-eyed amazement. Having the opportunity to experience a race weekend from the other side is something I’ll be forever grateful for, and I doubt the magic will ever fade. This gallery is for you. My fellow race fans who haven’t been as fortunate as I have to get this close to the action, the machines, and most significantly, the people making it all happen. The mechanics, the track workers, the officials, and of course the riders.
Please enjoy. Now, let’s get to the pics already!
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