As many of you may know, I photographed Sebring for TeamSpeed.com. I've had some requests by fellow forum members to post up my work up on this forum as well for others to see who don't necessarily frequent other forums. I thought I'd share my photography and accompanying article with all of you on here as well! Hopefully you all enjoy!



Sebring 12 Hours - one of the most powerful phrases in the automotive dictionary.

Sebring - this single word alone has the potential to evoke feelings of automotive euphoria. Millions of car enthusiasts across the world, myself included, can't help but associate Sebring with thoughts of lightning quick race cars buzzing around the torturous race track better known as Sebring International Raceway.

I just happen to be one of the die-hard racing enthusiasts that is lucky enough to photograph these race cars up close and personal. At times, almost too personal, as I barely escaped making friends with the tires and under body of the Corvette C6R in the pits this weekend.

I consider myself highly fortunate to share with others, through my eyes and photography, these magnificently sexy pieces of machinery, technology, brute power, and love as they seem to effortlessly hover around Sebring's jagged 3.7 mile long, 17 turn track.

Going back two months in time, I sent in my media credential application to ALMS, more specifically Sebring, requesting a media credential for myself to photograph the 12 Hours Race. Having photographed it last year, I quickly jumped on the opportunity to hopefully photograph it again in 2009.

I rented an RV with some of my best friends and arrived at Sebring early Friday afternoon. The race wasn't until Saturday morning but I didn't want to miss a thing!

I went to will call immediately upon my arrival at the track and sheepishly asked if there was a media credential behind the counter for "Chris Grosser" - the kind lady working there replied with, "Here you go, Chris Grosser from TeamSpeed ... enjoy the race."

This was the single greatest sentence I had heard in months. Sebring doesn't inform you prior to the race if your application was accepted or denied. Apparently, I did something right because within a minute I was signing my life and insurance information for potential injuries away! Say no more, I was on my way, two camera bodies in hand, 30 pounds of camera gear and lenses in my backpack, and ready to go hiking around Sebring track side.

Early the next morning, I went to the mandatory media and photographer meeting at 6:45am, which was a bit rough to say the least. I proceeded to check in, picked up my photo vest and ended up photographing for about 8 hours in total throughout the day. It's not too hard to do when my first picture taken that day was at 6:00am in the pits.

There is definitely a reason why they make you sign your life away prior to the track giving you your photography credentials. I think it may have something to do with being encouraged and given access to photograph within 5 feet of race cars passing you in excess of 150+mph. It almost.... just almost, makes me question my sanity but I love it and wouldn't trade it for the world.

Fifteen hundred photos later, yes, you read that right, 1,500 photos!

The fruition of my labor can be found below:

The official link to the gallery on my website with ALL of my photos from Sebring can be located here:

Chris Grosser Photography


Race day - this is what the track looks like at 6:00am. I was on my way to the media meeting:


Welcome to Sebring!


Beginning of the race:


The main attraction, media was ALL over this car - myself included.

Audi R15 - the eventual winner of the race as well.

 

Driver's view:






Hanging out on the track prior to the race:


Up close and personal:




Right before I was nearly run over:


Flying Lizard:

 

Think the media loved this car or what?!




Again, please check out the gallery on my website for all of the official pictures. There are another 50 or so photos up on my website that I did not post on here, it's well worth the click!

Chris Grosser Photography


I know I'm a little late to the party as there are already a few Sebring photo threads in circulation on this forum. Hopefully, it was worth the wait. It took me quite a while to sort through my 1,500+ photos and narrow them down to under 100 to post up on my website in addition to producing the write up from the event.

I will be at St. Pete Grand Prix in a couple weeks and will be photographing that as well. If there is any further interest and positive feedback from this particular thread, I'll be happy to post up my work from that event as well.

- Chris

 

The start of the race photo is sick. Good work as always!

 

id love to be a driver lol Great photo's

 

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This picture is dope.

 

awesome work Chris

I cant wait to shoot at the Grand Prix

 

jealous. my pics sucked. couldnt get ANY decent spots - except at the bikini contest haha

 

Beautiful shots!!!

 

Thanks for the comment!

I'm with you at that one, I'm more excited to shoot the Grand Prix than I was shooting Sebring.

It will be ridiculous!