Gallery>>photos Of The Year Part1

One of my favourite Vancouver restaurants is a little south-east Asian fusion themed joint called East is East. Simply put, they serve the best Chai this side of the Indian Ocean… My lady and I can be found there several nights a week sipping mango lassies and eating the many exotic rolls on offer. Love the place…

Although I have a bit of a bug going at the moment we went up there yesterday to grab some lunch and chai. Unfortunately though, the caffeine content in the chai was off the charts and I was completely unable to sleep last night.

As I lay there tossing and turning a fantastic idea flashed through my mind… wouldn’t it be cool that each of the core Speedhunters contributors showcases their favourite Speedhunters’ photos from 2008? I figured each of us could choose our top 20 photos, both our own and from the other photographers. I sent emails to the crew and within a few minutes had heard back from all of them, all good!

What seemed like a small fun little idea last night though seems to have ballooned into a large post now. As I prepare this article there is no way in hell that I’ll be able to keep my selecton of photos down to 20. There are simply too many great photos to choose from!!

Looking back through the photography of Speedhunters 2008 it’s really been an incredible debut year for the site. A year ago I would never have dreamt that it would be possible to see so much of the world’s automotive cultures in a period of 8 months, but there you go. Best not to doubt the situation. :>

So let’s get started wih our review of the Speedhunters Photos of the Year. We’ll start out my with selects and hand over to the other guys. Here we go:

Track Day, Nurburgring Nordeschleife, Germany. The above picture was taken by John Brooks the first day I laid eyes on the Green Hell … and there really is nothing like this track on the face of the planet is there?

Summer Drift Festival, Ebisu Circuit, Japan: this was one of the first photo I ever took with a professional SLR camera… This was shot right as the Summer Drift Festival came to a close at the spiritual home of Drifting; Ebisu Circuit.

Rauh-Welt Shop, Kashiwa City, Japan: the image of this dark, low Porsche creeping down a small road in Japan is something that will stay with me to the end of my days… Few cars have the presence of this machine.

24 Hours of Spa, Spa-Francorshamps Circuit, Belgium: A group of FIA GT cars slide down the pitlane, ready for another qualifying session. This is European GT racing at its best.

MSC Drift, Nikko Circuit, Japan: Ahh Magician… This S14 is
the perfect embodiment of drift car style… I had this image as my
laptop desktop image for many months this year.

Battle of the Imports, Las Vegas Speedway, USA: Antonio did a great job capturing the intense spirit that is Christian Rado.

European Drift Championship, Donington Raceway, UK: Speaking of Antonio, I have lot track of the number of airports, where I have followed this case around. This pic was snapped at the opening round of the European Drift Championship this April.

Photoshoot, Brooklands Speedway, UK: It was a special moment for me to attend this photoshoot with the Do-Luck Supra, at the world’s first purpose built race track- Brooklands. I tell people to imagine Daytona Speedway in ruins and cut up into sections around an industrial estate and strip mall. Most people can’t believe such a place exists… I assure you it does and you must go and visit it.

Suzuka 1000kms, Suzuka Circuit, Japan: Ahhh the fantastic R35 Super GT Race car. Surely, this car must be bordering on race car perfection!

Formula Drift, Long Beach, USA: This is one of my favourite Antonio Alvendia drift shots… I’m sure Antonio will tell you; it’s a little addictive to always be so close to racing action week in and week out… There is nothing like a blast of rubber particles to the face to remind you just how fun life can be sometimes.

Formula Drift, Englishtown, USA: Jim from Formula Drift watches on as the drivers entertain the crowds. I have to send a big thanks to Ryan, Jim and the whole team at Formula Drift for their support this year. They have been nothing but a help to us! Thanks guys!

Mooneyes Xmas Party, Irwindale, USA: Antonio posted this shot just today, but already it’s one of my favs of the year. This bare metal 1940s style lead sled is pure class.

Formula Drift, Irwindale, USA: It’s quite mind boggling to think about the wide variety of events taking pace at Irwindale… or is that Toyota Speedway (?)… This past October I got to work with John Brook’s protégé… David Lister. He put his monster camera gear to good use and captured this great snap of Samuel Hubinette.

Cars & Coffee, Irvine, USA: I’m pretty sure this Grand Sport Corvette must be a replica. No one in their right mind would ever drive a car as valuable as this on the road! I assume all of you readers know the story of the Grand Sport yes?

Red Bull Drifting World Championship, Long Beach USA: I’m new to the art of taking action photos so was well pleased to capture image of Ueo riding walls in the Drift Speed S15.

International Styling and Tuning Show, Donington Park, UK: Where there is stretch there is Antonio Alvendia… We both thought these widened steels rims were very cool.

California Hot Rod Reunion, Famosa Speedway, USA: I have spent many hours this month thinking about this car. It saddens me to be separated from it… argh!…

I do like the use of telephoto lenses for car still life photography: this pic was snapped with a 500mm lens by British shooter, David Lister.

Formula Drift, Road Atlanta, USA: What would the US drifting scene be like without the likes of Vaughn Gittin JR, Team Falken and the Falken girls? Hmmm…. not a thought worth pondering for  too long.

Summer Drift Festival, Ebisu Circuit, Japan:  You know my wife often asks me why I like dark music so much…. I think this appetite for the blacker things in life also extends to cars: the nastier the better. What does that say about me then?

Red Bull Drifting World Championship: Long Beach, USA:  John Brooks and his long shutter exposures have captured the spirit of drifting. The forces at play are unmasked for your viewing pleasure.

Nismo Festival, Fuji Speedway, Japan: There was a time when JCTC cars were based on production cars… This R34 based racer is one of my favourite examples from this time period. To quote Martin Brundle: “Mighty”.

D1GP, Fuji Speedway, Japan. Many elements that make Japanese drifting so special are present in this photo. The inhuman driving skills, the cool car style, the exotic qualities of JDM culture… It’s all here…

BTW I think you guys will agree, Mike Garrett’s photo styles have developed considerably this year!

Rauh-Welt Shop, Kashiwa City, Japan: Any number of photos from both Mike and Antonio’s shoots at the Rauh-Welt shop would have worked in this slot… I just love this car…

MSC Drift, Honjo Circuit, Japan: That’s me in the red shirt on the right side of the image, filming this crazy Team Magician drift JZX110. These guys certainly left an impression on us.

On the subject of MSC I’m very pleased to say that we have FINALLY finished our Honjo Circuit film and will be able to release it tomorrow…

Talk in a bit…

:R

Photos of the year

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1

Probably my favorite SpeedHunters post ever!

2

I absolutely adore brooklands, I live in the uk and I've been there 3 times, the incline of the slope is quite high to walk up and the hill climb is quite a trek as well. Mercedes have recently bought quite a lot of the surrounding site and even cleared some of the track where trees had overgrowwn it, there may be some future yet...



As for the photo pick, it's a really nice selection and I hope there's loads more to come in 2009

3

great Idea! God I love those Rauh-Welt Porsches, pure sex on wheels. Can we look forward to any desktops? Maybe the top 5? (if they arn't already?)

4

Ooh, Grand Sport vettes! Yeah, couldn't be real; they only made 5! Rauh-Welt Porsches have made a huge impression on me, so sinister, so classic!

5

nice shots! Love them, would like high rez on all though :D Would be a nice collection of desktops!

6

That R35 is sick; I would love to have that sitting in my garage. Also the Japanese drifting style is amazing the RX-7 has such a great look to it. I just noticed the car has different color wheels on each side.

7

Man, how is it that Ueno's last run is not amongst these!!?? We need more Soarers on Speed Hunters!

8

That Magician S14 lives 2 streets way from me.........was a bit surprised when I saw it in the car park! Also nice to see you giving props to Nakai san as well, my brother in law used to run with 'rough world` back in the day, along side Nakai san and Manabu Orido.

9

This post is a fantasic idea! I can't wait to see more!

10

Too many great pics this year to choose from. Thank you to all the 'hunters crew. I love this site!

11

Wow that is embarrassing... I was pretty sure I wrote Grand Sport.... anyway fixed the article!

12

Magician S14 was my background too for awhile haha

13

it's grand sport corvette not grand national

14

sweet pics. i love this site since i discovered it a little over a month ago. awsome coverage of different types of car cultures from around the world.



More coverage of RWB PLEASE!!!!! I hope to build a 964 just like Nakai-san's someday.

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