Tuesday, January 30, 2018

Fernando Alonso Crossing At The Rolex 24 Hour Race

The 2018 Rolex 24 Hour IMSA race was especially exciting with Formula 1 champion Fernando Alonso driving the #23 United Autosport Ligier Js P217 entry. The fans went crazy for him and here's just a taste of what it was like having Alonso 'in the house'.

Interesting note- I was shooting still shots from the grandstand opposite the Untied Autosport pit box while a camera crew was doing a video for IMSA. I happened to be taking pictures of the photographer doing the video. See second link below showing the in car camera and the interview in the pits that I have photos of.    Great timing!

Click here to see the video:
Fernando Alonso Comes To Race at The Rolex 24


Alonso's In Car View and Pit Interview- Awesome!

But First-  A taste of the crowd enthusiasm shown below:






Fans trying to see Fernando Alonso at the autograph session before the race.





Below is the sequence of shots showing Alonso as he exits the car for a driver change after he put the car into first place early in the race.








                        


Video crew getting ready to interview  the F1 star.



The interview that was later posted on the IMSA website. See link above to view the video!


Relaxing after driving his first stint.






Actually Fernando impresses you when you see how cool and laid back he is.
Seen in the garages on Friday.


Check back at my blog for more in the next day or two.
www.carcamerastory.com by Paul Ziegler




Sunday, January 28, 2018

2018 Rolex 24 Hours At Daytona

It is safe to say this year's Rolex 24 at Daytona was the best attended IMSA race in many years. Here's a quick overview of photos for you. I'll have more in a future post but I arrived back here at my desk early to get these out for you to see.

It is nice to see how fast the IMSA series is growing both in terms of fan base and the number of cars racing. The Prototype class took a huge leap this year with 20 entries and big name drivers being added to the roster, including F1 Champ Fernando Alonso and Indycar star Helio Castroneves .

The future looks bright for IMSA so let's get out and support this series by attending a race or two- you will not be disappointed!


Congratulations to the following first and second place winners in each class:

In the Prototype class it was  all Cadillac Racing power with the #5 Mustang Sampling Racing  entry driven by Joao Barbosa, Filipe Albuquerque and Christian Fittipaldi in first place and the #31Whelen Engineering Cadillac Racing machine driven by Felipe Nasr, Eric Curran, Mike Conway and Stuart Middleton taking 2nd place.



Prototype 1st Place  Mustang Sampling


Prototype 2nd Place Whelen Engineering




                           GTLM Class Winners  #67 (In background)  and #66 (in foreground)
                                                    Chip Ganassi Racing Ford GT's
                                                                 






GTD Class 1st place #11 GRT Grasser Racing Team







GTD 2nd place #86 Michael Shank Racing


And here's a few additional photos of people you know:


Roger Penske talking with Wayne Taylor



Fernando Alonso on Friday making a point.



Wayne Taylor having fun Saturday morning.




Scott Pruett signing autographs.  


Hope you liked the pictures-  more to come in the next few days.

Brought to you by Carcamerastory.com
Publisher, Paul Ziegler







Saturday, January 13, 2018

Get Ready For The Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona

I'll be in Daytona in less than two weeks for the  IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar season opener! This year promises to be the best ever in IMSA racing with new cars and new stars racing.

From F-1 champ Fernando Alonso to Indy winners Juan Pablo Montoya, Helio Castroneves and Indycar Champion Ryan Hunter- Reay to name only a few of the best drivers in the world, IMSA seems to be where it is at today. The best seats in the house are also available to ticket holders who will have the ability to roam this massive motorsports 'stadium'. No football stadium anywhere can match the thrill of truly 'nosebleed' seating like this with vistas including the entire track and the Atlantic ocean in the distance. Or how about waking up to the orange glow of a sunrise over Lake Loyd with engines screaming down Daytona's backstretch only yards away.

The 24 hour race at Daytona is like a religious experience for the hard core race fan who will be in heaven from Thursday to Sunday, January 25th - the 28th. If you can't be there you can see my photos soon after I return from the event. I should have the images uploaded to this blog by January 31st.

So to give you a taste, here's a short pre race video and some of my pics from last year.  Sit back and enjoy!

Click here to preview the Daytona Rolex 24 Hour IMSA/ WeatherTech race.



Sights From Last Year:

                                                                 Daytona At Night


And By The Infield Lake



And The Iconic View From The Start/ Finish Line


Friday Night Fireworks


The Taylor Brothers- Ricky & Jordan- On Opposing Teams This Year


Yes- That's NASCAR Champ Jeff Gordon Who Co-Drove With Ricky & Jordan Taylor Last Year


Cadillac Racing- Taylor Brothers Ride Last Year


Works Porsche


Mercedes AMG



Lexus Was A New Entry Last Year


One FAST BMW


Classic Battle Corvette VS Porsche


Tequilla Patron Driver Chamge


The New Ford GT Last Year


Pit Work By The Porsche Team


Always A Beautiful Sight- Ferrari!



And Last Year's Winning Porsche 

Look for this year's pictures soon!  Paul Ziegler, Publisher
Carcamerastory.com