Emma Kimilainen 2nd in Silverstone

Good third race from Emma Kimilainen in Silverstone - which soon must be coming her favourite track - starting from 5th in the grid Emma stormed to take the third place after the first lap.

A little luck also came to Emma's way as Tristan Vautier spun off the lead to let few drivers past. This gave Emma the second place - and clear view of the leader's (Maxime Jousse) rear-wing.

Kimilainen initially gained on Jousse - but it soon became clear that Jousse was just that little bit too fast on the day.

With few hairy moments where Emma locked breaks - kept me on the edge until the final lap. When Emma comfortably kept her second place - by keeping Paul Rees behind her.

Emma's podium place lifted her once again to the fifth place in the over all standings - past Rees, who over took Emma yesterday.

So - all to play for in the final weekend of the championship in two weeks time in Snetterton.

Photos from Emma's win will appear on MTV3 website and on Emma's own website.

More... Motor Sports

Friday was a long day - night.

With the early start from Birmingham at 6am - and arriving (this time nice and smoothly) to Silverstone.

Few early morning shots of Emma Kimilainen for her website - non-racing time of images. Then the couple of qualification runs and one race to cover during the day.

Hopefully I managed to get some good shots for the website and other stuff.

This being my first days shooting this type of motor sport - it was a steep learning curve

and I attempted to cover as many angles as possible, as there wasn't much racing to photograph.

This was due to Emma Kimilainen having a racing incident during the first lap of the race. Which meant that my images from the race were restricted to the grid, start and Emma driving to the pit-lane with a flat tyre.

Suppose photography-wise there was something different to capture - as Emma Kimilainen stood on the pit-wall with her broken down vehicle on the front. As well as Emma's confrontation with the 'culprit' for her retirement from the race - Paul Rees.

Emma herself was not best pleased about the actions on the track - and was exchanging some rather heated words with Rees at the paddock.

As if the eleven hours of motor sport wasn't enough - I then dashed off to Milton Keynes to cover MK Lions vs Scottish Rocks BBL-basketball match.

My first 'pro' basketball event (domestic) in the U.K - surprised by the Arena the game was played in. Lights weren't anywhere near the lovely and bright lights of the home arena on LaNMKY.. but still, managed with ISO3200/1600 to keep the shutter speed around 1/500 at f2.8 / f3.2

Traffic along the M1/M6 was surprisingly busy at 10pm on a Friday evening as I made my way back to Birmingham.. off to bed around 12.30am and back up around 6.30am - to once again travel the now familiar trip down the motorway to Silverstone.

Saturday's first race of the FPA (Formula Palmer Audi) started around 9.30am - with Emma Kimilainen starting from way back from 12th on the grid.

But as Emma was saying to me yesterday - she is one of the best over-takers in the series and she once again rose four places during the first round.

With the top 4 running away - Emma's main rival during the race was Adam Foster, who kept the fifth place until the last lap and third last corner. In the Priory corner Emma managed to overtake Foster - to complete a superb rise from the 12th up to 5th.

With a fast lap-time in the race - it promises good things for Emma in regards to grid position for this afternoon's race.

Finnish TV station MTV3 - has been using some of my images from Silverstone. They have also written articles based on information that I have provided for them from the races. The two articles - mainly interest to people understanding Finnish are located at :

http://www.mtv3.fi/urheilu/f1/uutiset.shtml/arkistot/f1/2009/10/966979

And on Saturday MTV3 put a report/photo right after the first race :

http://www.mtv3.fi/urheilu/f1/uutiset.shtml/arkistot/f1/2009/10/967163

Emma Kimilainen's own website has posted few photos from Friday to the Silverstone, so nice to see that the images are finding their way out to the Internet and Media. Link to Emma's Gallery from Silverstone :

http://www.emmakimilainen.fi/app/gallery/gallery/-/dir_id/17/limit/24

Another hour or so to go before the next race - here's for hoping for a Podium finish for Emma!!

Friday at Silverstone

Good morning!

Early morning here at Silverstone race track - a chilly 8 degrees when I arrive here. Now the sun is slowly warming the air and it starts to feel like one can stay outside without getting chilled to the bone.

Off to prepare for the two sessions of qualifying for the FPA series.

And a race in the afternoon - it's bit of a long day as it goes something like this... (to the beat :-) )

Wake up : 6am

In the car : 6.30am

Arrive at Silverstone (no congestion at M6/M1) : 7.40am

Ready at Paddocks : 8am

Few early morning shots : 'til 8.45am

FPA 1st Q : 10.15am

FPA 2nd Q : 2.25pm (Qualifying sessions are about 20mins each)

FPA race 4.55pm (nasty time for the direction of the sun)

So, there is a lot of empty time in between the sessions. Lets just hope the Media Centre is open today and I get decent speed Internet over there!

The Formula Palmer Audi (FPA) race finished around 5.30pm - after which I hopefully get to photograph Emma standing on the podium!!

After the car racing - I'll dash off to Milton Keynes to photograph a BBL Basketball match, and hopefully arrive back home by 10pm.

It is a tough life when your back is bothering you and you can't perform your full-time job *sigh*

Long day at ... the carpark

So - Silverstone it was today for me, rental car picked up at 11am from the friendly people down the road. Waited for SatNav to find its signal once again as I started my way out of Birmingham - through Spaghetti-Junction and towards M6.

No problems finding my way to Silverstone - but that's when things started to complicated. Thursday being a practice day, the accreditation wasn't all in place which meant that I waited around an hour and half at the Silverstone Car Park 49 for the accreditation to be brought from .. somewhere :-)

The staff was very friendly and apologetic that my name wasn't there when I arrived and did their best to get it sorted as soon as possible.

In the end I was in holding my parking permit - weekend pass and off I went.

Next problem was - where to my photo-vest.

Media centre was all empty (did manage to get to the F1 podium though.. another Finn who has stood at the podium. So add that to your list of Hakkinen's and Raikkonen's) and I was sent back to the main gate/reception to pick it up - who then in turn forwarded me to Race Control..

All in all it took me around two hours and twenty minutes from the time I arrived at Silverstone - to be parked and ready with all my gear. Which was good - as this left me 10 minutes spare before the FPA (Formula Palmer Audi) practice session started.

One thing that I would've liked a little more information was the places allowed to photograph from. No one was anywhere to stop me from photographing - so I pretty much went where-ever I wanted to. Of course keeping good sense and an eye on safety.

I did get some nice shots (IMHO) from the Finnish driver I was here to photograph (Emma Kimilainen) - but once again due to the 'Big World' rules - I am not allowed to post them in a public gallery. I will post a link to Emma's website once the photos go up there.

Back to Silverstone tomorrow - for more of the same!

Silvestone - here I come

Been resting the back for few days - which has been nice. Although it still gives me a little trouble, but not much else I can do really - rest, be active, do what you normally do, don't sit, sit, walk, don't walk... that's what I should/shouldn't do :-)

Anyways, off to photograph Emma Kimilainen, A Finnish Formula Palmer Audi driver at the Silverstone GP this weekend (thursday - saturday).

First time for me doing this sort of sport, so really looking forward to it.

Although not looking forward to the noise of the cars - for once it'll feel silent on the way back from the shoot.

Today it is just the free practise sessions - so I am hoping for plenty of access to the pit-lane for some close-up shots and a chance to look around the track for good positions to shoot the race.

Races themselves only last for about 30 minutes - or 30 laps, so that's not many chances you get to snap a photo. I can see why many papers use agencies to cover these races (more photographers - more angles to get images).

But sometimes we 'little people' get the chance as well - which I am thankful for.

That is all for this morning - hoping to update tonight on how things went.

Saturday of Surprises

After finishing editing images at 3am on Saturday morning, I was thinking about a peaceful day ahead with a good lay-in. I was all shattered when waking up at 9ish in the morning - and only managed to edit some more photos (about 150 or so) and return the rental car.

With the back still not good enough - I was not able to make it to the football game in Worcester, as I am not able to carry anything on my back yet due to the injury. Walking and sitting down are getting close to normal, with some pain when walking.

But then early in the afternoon, after a browse to basketball team's website - I noticed that they were playing season's opening game tonight. And with a ride to the game and back organised, I was off (with half empty batteries in my cameras) to the game.
Tricky light at the Leisure centre, and with the A's playing in dark jersey's it was not an easy task for someone half asleep :-)

Still managed to get few semi-decent shots at the game - of which you can see at : http://googabuphotos.zenfolio.com/birminghamathletics

This season promises to be exciting one for the A's - they have started to officially work with the BBL (professional basketball league) in an effort to be able to get a BBL team for Birmingham for the 2010-11 season. So, it should be exciting off the court and hopefully on it as well.

Tomorrow should hopefully be a day of total rest, so looking forward to that.

Sad evening in Manchester

What can I say - I know that as Sports Photographer one should try not to 'live the event' and approach it from purely professional point of view. But personally I do find that difficult sometimes, and tonight was one of those times.

When you have followed/photographed someones career for few years and slightly gotten to know the person/team, you inevitably will feel sympathy for them.

It was only few hours earlier yesterday (it is past midnight now) that Asikainen was measuring the ring at the Manchester Velodrome - and I was having a short chat with him. And Amin has won much during his career - but as a person he is one of the most down to earth people I've had pleasure of meeting.

He seemed relaxed and full of confidence at 3pm when we walked out of the Velodrome into the sunny autumn afternoon.

Next time I saw Amin was as he was making his entrance to the Arena, to the beat of AC/DC's Hell's Bells song. (This song will always remind me of Asikainen's entry to the ring).

From my vantage point at ringside I caught glimpses of Amin getting final instructions from his manager/trainer Pekka Maki - after entering the ring Amin seemed ready to go and was suitably 'agitated' towards his opponent.

Myself and the other photographers all agreed that Asikainen needs to protect himself for the first couple of rounds and wear Macklin down. Sadly this was not the case - before Asikainen had managed to land a solid bunch on the Birmingham boxer - Macklin connected with Amin's jaw and Amin went down for the first time.

With the eight count the fight was allowed to continue, but Macklin was sensing an early chance of a win and was pressing on like mad - and only moments later another hit, this time to Amin's head, brought Asikainen crashing down to the canvas.

Asikainen looked dazed and seemed to even look into his corner (trainer Maki) and shook his head as he was sprawling down in the ropes. As Asikainen rose from the floor he did look fuddled and the Italian referee was quick to stop the fight.

Asikainen did protest furiously that he would've been able to continue - but in all honesty it was probably better that the fight was not allowed to go on any longer.

Photos from the night have been well used on the Finnish MTV3.fi website - this time their 'gallery' is taken from video footage which shows that punch that ended the fight. But my images are appearing in most of the articles related to the fight on their website - which at the latest count seems to be at least around 10 or so.

I will post my own Fight Night Manchester - Gallery later online. But now, at 2am - it is time to hit the sack and get some sleep.

Amin ! If this was your last fight, I have to say it has truly been a pleasure watching you fight and to get to know a little. I hope to see you as a trainer/promoter in the future and wish you all the best.

THANK YOU!

Asikainen - Macklin fight closing in

Manchester - 4pm

Just come back from photographing Asikainen measuring the the ring at the Manchester Velodrome. Asikainen and manager Pekka Maki seemed happy enough with the size of the ring (around 7 meters).

Talking to Amin, he seemed on a good mood - and ready for the evening.

The night before (as could be guessed) was not the most peaceful one for Amin, early to bed but woke up around midnight and went for a walk to relax a little.

(not many people would say a walk after midnight in Manchester is the most relaxing :-) )

After that a good nights rest until the morning - Asikainen and Maki arrived to the Manchester Velodrome around 2.30pm, and spent an hour looking around, while Team GB cycling team was whizzing around the Velodrome at speeds which seemed to impress Team Asikainen.

Dressing rooms were not yet available for Asikainen to inspect - so that had to wait until the evening.

Maki and Asikainen then returned back to their hotel - where Amin will relax before his fight. Which is scheduled at 10.05pm local time.

Once again photos from the measuring are appearing on the MTV3 website at : http://www.mtv3.fi/urheilu/muutlajit2008/uutiset.shtml/arkistot/muutlajit/2009/09/961953?nyrkkeily

Nothing very special about these - but something that doesn't get seen always before a fight, so nice for fans to see how the boxers are preparing for the evening.

Two more hours for myself before the doors open to the Arena - off to ASDA (free advertising..geez). to get snacks for the drive back tonight. Late night ahead of me - and hoping for a good fight - with Asikainen returning to Finland with EBU-title!!

Boxing and the beautiful game

Thursday saw me traveling to North West of England - Hyde and Rochdale.

First in the program was a weigh-in for the EBU boxing title-fight at Hatton House in Hyde. I've been photographing a Finnish boxer Amin Asikainen for a while now, and by a lucky strike his fight now is in Manchester - which nice for me after moving back here from Finland.

As well as the promoter P3 Boxing - the images went to a Finnish MTV3's website - link to the weigh-in photos : http://www.mtv3.fi/urheilu/muutlajit/uutiset.shtml/arkistot/muutlajit/2009/09/961133?nyrkkeily

Good fun to see the Team Asikainen once again - had a nice chat with the manager, Amin and Amin's dad - amongst others.

The big fight in on tomorrow evening at the Manchester Velodrome... look out for the photos!
The days second trip was to the Spotland Stadium (Spotland..funny old name for a football ground.) to photograph the emerging talents on the Women's football.

Final qualifier for U19's EURO 2010 in Macedonia - game that was to decide the group winner between England and Norway.

Photos from this one can be seen at : http://googabuphotos.zenfolio.com/englandvsnorge09

Norway had the slight edge going into the game, thanks to their 12-0 trashing of previous opponents. So a draw was good enough for them - England on the other hand are the reigning U19 European Champs, so they were confident of a result in the game.

The first half saw England dominate the game and scoring a goal - but the Norwegians took the game to the English in the second half and deserved their equalising goal.

For photographing conditions - both events were pretty good. Hatton House had good lights and wasn't needed to crank up the ISO too much. Also there was pretty free movement to get the shots needed, so a big thanks to the Hatton Promotions for making it easy !

Rochdale stadium was a pleasure to work with - compared to the darkness I usually encounter at Worcester. ISO 2500 was OK to keep me going through the game, could've upped it to 3200 by the end. But decided not to - Norwegian celebrations were nicely right in front of me,so good set of images from that one off to the clients!

Back problems are still there - taking things very easy and being careful with it. Still very stiff and not able to do lifting or bending down normally. But with photo-work this won't effect me so much - most of the time you get to sit pretty comfortably anyways :-)

Aston Villa 1 - Cardiff City 0

Nothing to do with work really - not that I wouldn't mind photographing at Villa Park!

Went to League Cup game - which Villa scraped with another Gabby-Goal.

Nice set-up from Big John for the goal.

Second half was just hanging in there (with another missed penalty - it's two scored from the last four.

Cardiff were unlucky to have their goal ruled as off-side, in all fairness they probably would've deserved the goal. But, that's sport - bring on the next round!