Written by Austin Shepherd
5 min read • Published 4/13/2026 • 10:00 AM EST

Okay so I have to admit, this isn’t my first time photographing motorsports – but it is my first time in 18 years and my first time shooting at a semi-professional level.

We decided to start our journey on April 11 by photographing the first RallyCross event hosted by the CKR SCCA at the Appalachian Overland Triangle.

What is RallyCross?

Think of RallyCross as a simplified rally race where drivers dodge cones instead of trees and rocks. The name of the game is speed and the winner is determined by cumulative time, a fancy phrase for “whoever completes all the courses the fastest, wins.” But drivers still have to be careful. Hitting a cone imposes a time penalty or DNF and the elevation changes at the AOT are quite unique. Be ready for lots of dust, motion, and dynamic racing.

How did I prepare for the event and how did arrival go?

Shooting the event with my Canon R7, I used the Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM lens primarily for the cover-able distance and the 1.6 crop factor. I really just wanted to ensure I got the shot, choosing a shutter speed of 1/500 and making sure my camera was set to tracking vehicles. I also made sure to bring extra batteries, just in case. Though I did forget extra SD cards and had a slight panic on lunch…

Being raised around racing my entire life, I knew the general idea of what needed to happen the day of the event.

1. Arrive early enough to park and sign the waivers.
2. Get all of my camera gear together.
3. Take a look at the first course and see where I wanted to stand.
4. Head to your spot and get all of your gear ready.

I forgot to check in at the driver’s meeting…Luckily the organizers and crew were very friendly and understanding. Because this was RallyCross and I was close to the action, a spotter was needed to make sure I didn’t get run over while my face was in the camera. Luckily enough, my partner was willing to try out racing for the first time and be my spotter.

So, how was the event?

The first RallyCross event at the AOT was an absolute blast, full of fun, high speed, dirt, and catching some great photos. I never imagined I would love photography this much.