Looking back through the images from 2020 feels slightly surreal. It was a year that changed the world, disrupted the motorsport calendar, and forced everyone to adapt.
Autosport International – Starting the Season
The year began at the Autosport International Show at the Birmingham NEC, a staple in the motorsport calendar and always a key networking opportunity within the automotive and racing industries.
While much of my time was spent planning the season ahead and connecting with teams, I made sure to capture as much of the show as possible, particularly the Live Action Arena, which never disappoints.
One standout moment was seeing the Toyota Gazoo Racing TS050 Hybrid, a Le Mans 24 Hours winner. The car’s battle scars, tyre marks, and layers of rubber told its own story – a reminder that even static displays can show the intensity of endurance racing.
British Drift Championship – A Condensed Season
With restrictions shaping the calendar, the British Drift Championship season was condensed into just over two months, running at Driftland, Three Sisters, and Teesside.
Despite the shortened schedule, the level of competition remained incredibly high. I documented Max Cotton as he battled against the best drivers in the country, ultimately securing the Pro2 Championship title in his first attempt – an impressive achievement in a fiercely competitive field.
Outside of championship rounds, I also attended several drift practice days throughout the year, capturing a wide variety of styles, builds, and driving approaches. Drift photography remains one of the most dynamic disciplines I shoot – fast, unpredictable, and always creative.
GoJapan! – Brands Hatch
The GoJapan! event at Brands Hatch was one of the standout drift gatherings of the year. The track hosted a strong mix of iconic Japanese machinery, while Time Attack added an impressive selection of performance cars to the lineup.
Events like this offer a great balance, track action combined with static displays, making it a rewarding day both creatively and technically.
CSCC – Donington Park at Sunset
A late-season visit to Donington Park for the Classic Sports Car Championship turned into a highlight purely because of timing.
After watching races throughout the day, we realised the final session had the potential to run into sunset. Staying late paid off as the light dropped, the atmosphere transformed, giving the circuit a completely different character. Sometimes the best images come from patience and timing rather than planning.
Goodwood Speedweek – The Highlight
Without question, the defining event of 2020 was Goodwood Speedweek.
With the Members’ Meeting, Festival of Speed, and Revival all cancelled, Goodwood created a closed-doors hybrid event at the circuit. It combined elements of all three flagship events and was broadcast live, with only essential staff and a small media presence in attendance, myself included.
Masks were mandatory the whole time within the venue so there was little chance of getting photos of the drivers but the quality and variety of cars more than made up for the restrictions.
The racing focused primarily on historic machinery, while modern supercars and race cars competed in a one-lap shootout format around the circuit.
One of my key assignments was documenting the first Goodwood Driftkhana, a precision-based competition combining speed, style, and control. Drivers had to demonstrate complete accuracy to succeed. James Deane dominated the event, which also featured the striking Ford Mustang Mach-E 1400 prototype built by RTR, a fascinating blend of electric innovation and drifting performance.
An unexpected highlight came when we were invited to remain at the circuit for a special rally demonstration run along the access roads, a layout that wouldn’t have been possible with spectators present. Of course, I stayed to capture it.
The weekend also marked the 70th Anniversary of Formula 1, with demonstration runs showcasing the evolution of the sport across decades.
Additional tributes included celebrations of Tom Kristensen’s Le Mans victories, featuring cars from his racing career, alongside demonstrations of Jaguar XJR and Group C Porsche machinery running into the evening.
It was an incredible weekend of motorsport, slightly surreal, highly controlled, and unlike anything I had experienced before. While the access was extraordinary, the absence of crowds reminded me how important atmosphere is to live motorsport.
2020 was a year of uncertainty and disruption, but also one of opportunity, growth, and a fresh start in my career.
Between lockdowns, I was able to continue developing my craft, expand my client base, and move fully into professional motorsport photography and videography. Looking back, it became a foundational year in shaping the direction of my work today.
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