On April 11, 2026, I stepped into a completely new world behind the camera.

I have been around racing and motorsports since I was 4 months old and I’ve loved every minute of working on tires, rebuilding engines, and even getting behind the wheel. I’ve also loved art and photography since I was in elementary school, so stepping out of my comfort zone and photographing a small grassroots event seemed like a great start to something new.

We’ve photographed landscapes, architecture, and way too many birds, but shooting motorsports proved to be a bit different. Instead of quietly waiting for the subject to get into position, you have to anticipate where the car will be and how it will act. Will the car sling dirt or will it tip over on two wheels? Each run is different and every pass offers a new opportunity to get a unique shot.

The Event:
One of the first things we noticed after arriving was the atmosphere. Most people in the Appalachian region are very welcoming and friendly, but the RallyCross community took it to a new level. We quickly made friends with organizers and fellow media personnel. Looking around, you could see competitors eager to help each other out, talk about their cars, and just have a fun day in the dirt.

On course with a spotter in tow, the biggest challenge was learning how to predict the action. Where would the car be coming from? Would it be slinging dirt or have more grip? Unlike racing on a paved surface, most RallyCross courses weave through open fields between cones. The Appalachian Overland Triangle added another factor in the mix – bumps and elevation changes that threw drivers who weren’t prepared. I learned that in order to capture those moments, I had to be patient but ready to react quickly.

One of my favorite parts of the event was watching the variety of vehicles tackle the courses. Everything from sedans to UTVs took turns tearing up grass and trying to set the fastest time. Some drivers were smooth and precise while others were more aggressive, which made for spectacular action shots.

The event saw approximately 30 drivers run the various courses throughout the day, with the field being split into 4 classes – Stock, Prepared, Modified, and UTVs. The UTVs and Modified classes set quick times with blazing fast speeds while the Stock and Prepared classes proved that you don’t need the fastest ride to put up a fight.

The Appalachian Overland Triangle was a great stage for the first RallyCross event the Central Kentucky SCCA would host and proved that Eastern Kentucky was ready for some Rally action.

A huge shout-out to all the organizers, volunteers, and drivers who made us feel welcome and made our first motorsports photography session a success. We’re headed out to do something a bit different next as we tackle the Applachian Hillclimb Series at Pine Mountain on April 24-26.

Hope to see you there!