Flash Memories from an autosport photographer (1987-2001) with Daniel M

Note: All the pictures illustrating in this article are scanned from the original publications or past archives and were taken by the auteur during that period of 1987-2001

Many people that I have known during my active fifteen years in motorsport photography were very curious about the "glamour" side of the job. But ...

... Almost all of us (mainly men along with a few courageous women) were mainly motorsport fanatics loving at first auto racing and were dreaming to be ourself real racers. So doing photography was may be one of the nearest way to be involved in the sport. At that time period (1987-2001) auto racing was still a dangerous sport with frequent accidents, injuries and time to time deaths even into the smaller and local series. Race track organisations and installations were most of the time on the minimal side and security manners were crude compare to what we see today (which are almost clinically controlled).

And most of us (speaking of the regulars) who were covering the whole season were freelancers often attached to the few different Canadian auto-sport publications. The search of the required credential to get free access to the site was the primary task to fulfil. In our small community of fellows car racing photo takers who were able to see a mix of old timers, ambitious, groupies and beginners. Sometimes we had the visit of some newspapers correspondents which were notorious for their lack of experience in that domain.

Because doing auto racing pictures is not really an easy task. It requires dedication, physical effort (most of the time for moving yourself to strategic places or simply anticipate and follow the action),
good reflexes, a good sense of the environnemental movement, an interpersonal involvement, persistence, to be highly auto-critical of you work, the capacity of fast learning, etc, etc..  At the end you have to remember in this nasty (translate by "competitive") world of communication that only results are counting.

And what about equipment? Sorry but my little experience in that field have teach me that photo editors dont give a damn of which camera or system you are actually using to do your work.  But I can understand the amateurs that are saying they cannot really make good pictures like the others fellows on the other side of the fence because they dont have the right equipment and ... the necessary access credential.

Doing auto-sport photography was a bit like war photo reporting ... but with less risks for everybody involved. But physical fitness and mental awareness were similar in many ways. Some of us love to work in staged areas, others were more adventurous. Some were very advised, others were more gamblers. Some were very PR, others were more shy. Some were egocentric person, others were very generous.

I have enjoyed all the time I was part of that special group of colleagues. Sure I have encountered some difficult working situations like conflicts with officials or very adverses wheather conditions ( sun, rain, wind, cold, snow!) or very emotional disturbances or simply bad photo output after all these efforts. Many times we were staying at cheap motels (Rooms shared by 4-5 of us!) or in a tent or even in a car and we were eating scarcely at sponsored tents if it was possible or at infamous snack bars. We were begging for taxiing around the circuit from the different teams or circuit workers.

And dont forget we had to bring this fabulous but annoying 20-25 pounds camera bag filled with few cameras bodies, 4-5 lenses, electronic flash, exposure meter, film rolls, without forgetting the monopod for that heavy extra telephoto "dream" lens (a 300mm telephoto lens). Drinking water was another priority to be addressed for surviving around the circuit. Clothing was also an imperative to be consider. At the end you really looked as a war correspondant. And there is a lot of noise (ear plugs were a must!) surrounding you.

But during the races we finally all had this adrenalin rush to perform our "duty". No time to think or postpone anything because the action was taking it all.

At the end of race day program we were totally exhausted but really proud to be part of that special group of auto racing passionate photographers.


A Racing Portfolio by Daniel M

Note: All the pictures illustrating in this article are scanned from the original publications or past archives and were taken by the auteur during that period of 1987-2001

All my thanks goes for Formula, the Canadian auto sport magazine; Pole-Position magazine; World of Wheels, Canada's auto magazine; Le Monde de l'Auto, le magazine québécois de l'automobile; Canadian Grand Prix program and to all my photo editors (Thanks to Marc, Luc, René, Philippe among all others) who have believe in my work. 

Jimmy Vasser: An American in Canada! For a time Jimmy Vasser did his basic open wheels racing classes in the Canadian Formula 2000 racing circuit before graduating into USA racing circuits. Vasser is the last american born driver to win a Cart championship in 1996. He became eventually a successful Indy racing team owner.

Stéphane Proulx: The gifted but uncontrollable Canadian young telegenic champion. The destiny have crushed one of the most talented auto racer of his generation. He was "mediatic" before the hour and before Jacques Villeneuve (son of Gilles). At a time everybody wanted to be near him but finally almost everybody ignored him at the last moments of his very short life. But he was so a dashing personality even after knowing the complete story.

The Fuji Photo of the Month: Every Canadian auto racing photographers wanted to get it (and the pay check of $250!). It finally happened in 1990 for the first time for a Canadian fellow (ie me!) and it happened again for me one year later in becoming the first one to get it twice. Thanks Fuji!

Danger around the circuit: All racing editors were loving action pictures (meaning accidents) and many racing circuits of these times were not really fully secured like today. The photographer was able to be very near the racing car at a point you were able to feel the exhaust pulsation on your shirt. Many times I have selected a normal or semi-wide angle lens to be able to cover all the subject. Sliding, collisions or mechanical failures like fire were popular. Many colleagues voluntarily ignored these moments for various reasons but it was not my case. Danger was part of the auto racing context and was adding a lot of dramatic to the sport.

Elio de Angelis: This portrait snap shot have been taken in 1984 at the Canadian Grand Prix. At that time Elio de Angelis was driving for the Lotus team of Colin Chapman. He will be the last driver to win a Grand Prix race for Chapman (before his death). Then, de Angelis changed team for Brabham where he lost his life during a private test.

Rain (and cold!) around the circuit: Mont Tremblant mountain circuit is reckon for its rapid change of weather during a race weekend. During this particular event the light was so low that I have to rely on electronic flash aid and for this reason I have position myself to take side picture of the cars preventing that way to disturb the drivers.

Another rainy picture shooting with the "King" Richard Spénard at the Trois-Rivières Grand Prix. Spénard was one of the most experimented Canadian racing driver of its time. I was talented but also a very generous fellow racing teacher.

Greg Moore: Another Canadian sensation young racer that everybody was hoping the best. His short live ended during a Cart Championship race at Fontana, California in 1999.

Jacques Villeneuve (Jr): He may be the best Canadian racing driver who was able to win the Indianapolis 500 race, the Cart championship and the Formula 1 Grand Prix season championship  (against Micheal Schumacher among others) in only three years time! He was certainly gifted as a natural driver but he was also very clever. And he have a charming attitude toward press and photograph people. He can be also a very independent guy that may have affected negatively in the last part of his racing career.

Patrick Carpentier, the next "Villeneuve"? Hopes were high right from the start. Carpentier manage to make a professional racer living in the USA before becoming a tv commentator and an enthousiasm race ambassador in Canada.

David Empringham

Martin Guimont

Claude Bourbonnais

Jean-François Veilleux

Didier Schraenen

Michael Valiante

Jason Carvalho

Isabelle Roy

My last published racing picture in November 2001: Certainly not  my best one but in some way it announced that change has to occur into the auto racing world if they want to survive. The introduction of women in the sport has to be a real changing factor but seventeen years later it still has to be seen as a general evolution.

A special thanks for all the people who have supported me along these years of freelance motorsport photography and more specially to my wife Manon who has understood and encourage my passion for this sport.