As a genuine motorsports enthusiast, the words Modified Porsche are truly music to this photographer's ears. And this Little Bastard is a beautiful example of what makes the job so much fun.
No, I'm not being cheeky... the name of this highly modified Boxter is actually "Little Bastard", in honor of actor James Dean's Porsche Spider, the car he was driving on the way to a race when he was killed in a traffic accident with a pick up truck. This Little Bastard is present at most Auto X races in the El Toro Marine Base in Orange County, CA. There are so many interesting details to be gleaned from this shot. For instance, part of the track can be seen in the background with one of the race officials traveling by bicycle... he is making his rounds checking on volunteers who help to make the event safe and fun for everyone. Also, the yellow tape on the MOMO steering wheel lets the driver know in an instant when the wheels are straight. Porsche Boxters and Caymans make great Auto X cars because they are light with a mid engine as opposed to the heavier rear engine of the 911’s. Since this race is about quick bursts of speed, braking and turning, the mid engine allows for great handling.
This photo was taken with a Nikon D5 and a 14 to 24 mm zoom. On-camera flash was used to capture every detail in the cockpit as well as to ensure there was a nice, blue sky that was not blown out. We love the way this shot came together to capture the spirit of the day.
Location: Irvine, CA.