Aston Martin DB4GT Shoot, Goodwood, UK

Sometimes you just have to stop and look at the details to really get a clear picture. This knock off wheel nut on a fantastic car with tons of history and heritage. It wears the scuffs and scars of the years with pride as a battle honour. This is a real SpeedHunters' moment.

Festival of Speed, Goodwood House, Goodwood, UK

This was one of the cool things that I got involved in this past year, a run or two at speed up the Goodwood Hill in a C8 Spyker. I'll post a feature on this later in the month.

Dubai 24 Hours, Dubai Autodrome, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Sunset on the circuit and Motor City, will this be a metaphor for the unfinished developments scattered around Dubai's national circuit. The cranes have fallen silent and the project is still incomplete, will 2010 see the final running of the Dubai 24 Hours? It would appear that the credit and financial problems are not yet behind us. A pity as the Dubai circuit was a good place to go racing and the 24 Hours with its huge grid was in the process of becoming a classic………….

EDC Silverstone, Silverstone, UK

OK I have not gone near the drift or time attack scene so far and perhaps this is not the best example of drifting seen in 2009. Yes it is a cheap thrill shot but also demonstrates the high level of commitment shown by the drivers, which might not always be apparent from outside the cockpit. Declan Hicks showed that he is not lacking in the cojones department, tramping into the initiation at 98mph, then the engine suddenly found power after stuttering and………GERONIMO………………….there is a fine line in drifting and sometimes to find that line you step over it. Sometimes you get away with it, sometimes you don't.

EDC Oulton Park, Oulton Park, UK

Just to bring some balance is the excellent Phil Morrison who was on unbeatable back in April. A reasonable crowd too for a wet Saturday.

EDC Oulton Park, Oulton Park, UK

Hand in glove with the European Drift Challenge came Time Attack. High levels of skill both behind the wheel and behind the spanner ensured that there was never a dull moment. Olly Clark and the Gobstopper were awesome by any measure and I mean any measure.

Le Mans 24 Hours, Le Mans, France

Tom Kristensen, Mister Le Mans, at dawn taking his Audi R15 into the Porsche Curves with a Peugeot 908 in pursuit. 2009 was the year when the French team finally achieved the results it deserved. What will 2010 bring?

Festival of Speed, Goodwood House, Goodwood, UK

Past The Wall, up towards Pheasantry Hill blasts a Cosworth DFV powering a Williams FW07. Note the proximity of the crowds, getting up close and personal is one of the biggest attractions of the Festival of Speed, no fences and barriers, access all areas.

LMS Algarve 1000kms, Portimao, Portugal

The Sun goes down at the fabulous Algarve track and gives us snappers a veritable cornucopia of shooting options. Great light and great location.

WTCC Brands Hatch, Brands Hatch, UK

Sometimes you just spot a shot that could not possibly be planned. Following the gaggle of grid girls out onto the track in preparation for the start of Race 2, the colours just leapt out at me and bang there you go.

Part 6 later

John Brooks