With the new format of the two races split between Saturday and Sunday – at precisely the same time of 3pm – and a warm-up on Sunday morning, it opens up interesting opportunities to capture lots of close action on track.
Individual photographers have a chance to take a breather, study their work overnight, and get back on track with new plans and possibilities.
Autumn in Phillip Island is a fabulous time with some beautiful sunshine and light often changing to brief spells of cloud and rain in mostly windy conditions.
Combine that with a gently rolling topography, the blue backdrop of the Bass Straits, a fast, flowing and twisty circuit with bikes leaned over for most of a lap and crowds very close to the edge of the track – and you have a photographer’s dream.
Infinite possibilities to combine breathtaking light, shadow, colour, texture, lines, curves – into drama, emotion and surprise.
The racing itself was special – as befits a stage such as Phillip Island. And Jonathan Rea made it even more special, with a double.
In these images, we have tried to capture the action with some or the more unusual perspectives that are possible only at Phillip Island. Hope you enjoy them!
Nothing says Phillip Island Racing better than the view from Lukey Heights, with machines roaring by meters away.
Exhaust porn, this time from Nicky Hayden’s Honda. Admittedly, its MotoGP counterpart has a far sexier profile.
The way they were at MG was the way they finished on the podium in Race 1.
Two red machines trying to upset the two green ones.
Standing at the inside of Turn 11 next to the marshal’s kiosk, you get to almost breathe down at the bikes flashing past. A close view of rookie Schmitter’s helmet design.
Chaz Davies getting ahead of Johnny Rea on the inside into MG, but you can see Johnny taking a slightly wider line that allowed him to re-take the lead exiting into T11.
Johnny Rea celebrating his Race 1 victory – flying the Kawasaki flag, quite literally so.
An example of Davide Guigliano’s Ducati heading down toward Turn 3, in between the rolling slope.
Chaz Davies cresting and coming down the tree-lined Southern Loop.
The two Sylvains – Guintoli and Barrier – reflect the dominant colours of the track itself.
The 2013 WSBK World Champion, Tom Sykes, being followed – quite literally – by the 2014 champ, Sylvain Guintoli.
Tom Sykes screaming up Lukey Heights in the warm afternoon sun.
Mike Jones, a wild card entry from the new Troy Bayliss-managed DesmoSport Ducati Team.
Van der Mark leads Rea and Davies into Turn 11.
Ducati’s Davide Giugliano, in the warmth of the mid-afternoon sun, chases the leading six into Turn 12 .
Nicky Hayden can sense a podium, if he can chase down the leading trio around Turn 12.
The two former champions from ’13 and ’14 chasing each other again.
Chaz Davies leading Johnny Rea once again in Race 2 – alas, it wasn’t to be for #7 later in the lap.
Davide Giugliano pulling a Lorenzo-style ‘por fuera’ with extra lean on Nicky Hayden to then pip him to the flag.
Victory celebrations again in the stands for Johnny Rea – taking selfies with the crowd.
King of the Island again, Johnny Rea kicks off his title defence with a special double.
Photos: © 2016 Anant Deboor – All Rights Reserved
Comments