Images in my Mind

Many times during this year's races and rallies I would put down my camera only to miss chronicling something of importance -- not just action, but a turn of events important to the Subaru team.

One opportunity stands out in particular. On the morning of the Grand-Am KONI Challenge Series race at Watkins Glen, New York, the teams were on track for a scheduled practice. I was trying to photograph the Subaru Road Racing Team Legacy 2.5GT spec.B race cars cresting the hill out of the section of track called the Boot. They passed by a couple of times, and I kept shifting position for a better shot.

I had a decent one of Kristian Skavnes in #111 and was lowering the camera when I heard tires squealing to my right. I turned to see a Cobalt hit the tire barrier on the outside of the track, then bounce back onto the track and tag #111 hard enough to make it airborne. If only the camera had been ready ....

That's the way the events go. Sometimes you're in the right spot, but sometimes you're not. Even when you're in the right spot, sometimes you're not ready at the right time.

That picture of #111 is in my head. It's a little frightening, if I care to think about it that way. But mostly I rue the fact that I don't have the visual documentation for the team that I could have had.

So I'll go back next year and try again -- to get the images out of my head and online or in the magazine to share with everyone.