Metaphors in Motion

In January I had the opportunity to spend the weekend with Hyper-Sport Racing Team in Daytona for the 24 hour race. My good friend Romeo Kapudija was driving as a relief driver and invited me down. I had met the whole team last year and attended several races. I was able to get a team media pass and walk the track some which was unbelievably exciting to be so close to the cars at speed. It was as great as the time I did some work for then Hazardous Sports in 2003 at the American LeMans Streets of Miami race which I may post soon.

The team qualified and started well but had mechanical problems early on but went on to finish the race in 23rd place which was amazing in and of it self. The weather was humid all weekend - it rained on and off - thunder stormed a bit THEN it was suddenly sunny and blazing HOT. The immense effort to field a race team is amazing I have a lot of respect for everyone on the Hyper-Sport team they all do there jobs very well. It is amazing to watch you work during a race.

Here are some images from the race.

Shots of the car and some of the team in the garage on the qualifying day.

Series of Romeo entering the car during the practice.

Images from the start of the race.

Patrick's first interview that weekend with the Speed Channel.

The car on the grid at the start of the race.

Patrick waiting for his session. I went out on the track to shoot when I heard their car was off the track and they were maybe a half hour into the race.

A very worried team looks on as the car is brought back to the garage. The left front tire blew taking out the oil and cooling lines. Being well prepared Hyper-Sport had a spare front end which was quickly switched out. The energy and furry which was exhibited in very quickly making the necessary repairs was amazing.

As Ray Ray refuels the car some 45 minutes of racing have passed.

Back on the track through the afternoon and into the night they drove. I hung around until well after dark but was unable to photograph on the track in the dark. Returning the next day in the morning several hours before the end neared they were still running strong.

Patrick prepares to bring the car home and finish the race.

Romeo and Patrick conversing before entering the car.

Charles after exiting the car chats with Joe Foster.

The Team lined up on the pit wall for the finish the race.

Patrick embraces the crowd at the finish.

Patrick from above kissed the hood. The same shot of him from the side taken by another photographer appeared in several magazines.

The finish was exciting a massive celebration in pit lane as the cars return. Returning in a state that was nothing like the start of the race. They all appeared dirty, used and abused, and tired after 24 hrs. Again it is a remarkable effort to field a team for such a race not to mention finishing the race.

It was a memorable weekend and I was glad to a have been there.

On a closing note: I want to thank Romeo for the invitation. Patrick Dempsey and the whole team are great and have been very gracious to me in allowing me document some of the action!!!! THANKS!!!! In the next days I will post my short visit with Hyper-Sport Racing at Homestead Florida race. I was able to attend the practice and qualifying days before going to Barrette Jackson Auctions in Palm Beach. So I was unable to photograph the race on saturday.