These are amazing photographs, especially given they're on the M9.
Thanks Kevin ;-)
People always think, this must be difficult, but actually the opposite is the fact … I find shooting the Leica M a lot easier and quicker than a DSLR.
I also still shoot a Nikon D3 with long, fast tele lenses for motor sports, but much prefer, to just pack two Leica bodies and a handful of lenses.
Nice as always Dirk. I was bummed to see them pull out as well. We lost Audi and Porsche here in the states last year for ALMS, bummer. I was hoping to see the Peugeots at some point @ Laguna, they were scheduled to come last year but pulled out of the event.
Thanks Kent!
I really couldn't believe, when I saw it and choked on my breakfast the moment, I read the news.
In my mind, Peugeot was a fixed asset to Le Mans now, but they are gone!
We had a tiny bit of good news though, that Porsche is planned to return … wait … in 2015 :bang:
dirk,
i was a bit surprized about the news, but to cheer you up, i can tell that as far as i know, the le mans race will still take place.
also, you should consider looking into motorcycle endurance races (there is an event in le mans, too ..). and finally, there are other great motorsports with appeal to photography, like WRC.
cheers,
sebastian
Hey Sebastian, I will certainly go to Le Mans for the race (once, you were there, you can't miss it again).
Surprisingly, as I am a total motor sports addict, my interest in bikes is rather low. Would I have the chance with an all entry pass, to shoot a 24h bike race, that would be an all different thing to do, getting me very enthusiastic ;-)
Perfect panning shots, Dirk, congrats!
Haha, Andrea … there is no such thing as perfect, one can always improve.
Too bad, Le Mans is only once a year, so my improvement cycle is rather slow on this one
😉
2011 was my second year, only shooting Leica M @ Le Mans and I couldn't enjoy it more!
That is a lot different than the Peugeot I had in college.
Hehe - Peugeot came a long way with it's motor sports program, but has been a strong contender in endurance racing, it's latest breed, the diesel powered 908 being very dominant.
Audi certainly won not because of speed, but good old German reliability and a bit of luck after the horrific crashes, that happened to two of the three cars, while car no 2 survived … and won 2011.
Did I say, I love Le Mans?
Cool shots of beautiful cars.
Thanks Will!
Well done Dirk. Perfect panning.
Thank you Eirik!
I am actually experimenting with one of those Telemore teleconverters, if I can modify it, so it precisely can be focussing the 135 APO-Telyt.
I am quite curious, but won't give the Telemore converters a good chance (to be honest, they seem, to be as cr… , as people say).
So no privateers running Peugeot? Surly someone will buy them up to run,provided P will sell them.
It is said, that Peugeot tried to sell it's 2011 program, but nobody bid so far.
It's not very surprising though, as we are at end of January and most teams have spent already the biggest piece of their budget, to prepare for 2012.
Peugeot is a bit late to pull out, which is why it is so surprising!
Does the latest development have some connection to the loss of the AAA rating of France with banks not giving credits as freely in their panic reaction, so Peugeot decided, to cut cost short, easing liquidity and financial costs?
In any way, I fear, we will not see a full hearted try of running the new evolution of the Peugeot in Le Mans
🙁
The Peugeot works effort was a warranty, to take the Audi serious, making at least for a real two contender race.
I have high hopes for Toyota, they certainly have deserved a win at Le Mans with their last program, but pulled out, to dabble half hearted and confused into F1 with massive resources and no management to match.
They belong to endurance sportscar racing - good luck to them!