ANSA Motorsports: Part I

Posted on July 3, 2015

by LaRae

A day on the track with ANSA Motorsports

Part I: 2006 Audi DTM Class MP1 + 2012 Audi R8 LMS Ultra

South Florida-based race team, ANSA Motorsports, invited me to Homestead-Miami Speedway to capture a day of their “Arrive and Drive” program. Private clients own or rent the cars, and ANSA provides them with everything they need to essentially show up at the track and race the luxurious vehicles: storage, delivery, maintenance, parts, tires, technicians, software, catering, and more are included. The client’s experience remains posh throughout the day as they relax and recharge in the semi truck’s private lounge outfitted with a leather sofa, chairs, a media bar, DirecTV, stocked refrigerator, and even a Nespresso espresso machine.

In short, the “Arrive and Drive” program is Gucci, and from the beginning knew I had the juice.

These cars are pieces of art and I approach photographing them with an intimate perspective earned alongside the drivers. They gave me full access and I am very grateful to them for sharing space, even when that meant crawling inside the passenger seat alongside them seconds before they took off down the track.

My day started in the paddock parking lot before sunrise and I was able to capture the 2006 Audi DTM Class MP1 and 2012 Audi R8 LMS Ultra being unloaded. We’ll start there.

ANSA Motorsports at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Homestead FL, January 3rd, 2015

ANSA Motorsports crew members unload the Red Bull 2006 Audi DTM Class MP1 at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Homestead FL.

The 2012 Audi R8 LMS Ultra being unloaded by ANSA Motorsports crew member at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Homestead FL.

ANSA Motorsports owner and former race car driver, Alain Nadal, goes over paperwork as his client greets crew members.

The 2012 Audi R8 LMS Ultra and Red Bull 2006 Audi DTM Class MP1 in the garages at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

The 2012 Audi R8 LMS Ultra lifted in the air for tire changes between races at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

ANSA Motorsports client adjusts his driving gloves before taking his race car on the track in Homestead, FL.

ANSA Motorsports’ crew member give their client the “thumbs up” signaling all aspects of the car’s safety and performance measures have been checked before he takes the 2012 Audi R8 LMS Ultra on the track.

2012 Audi R8 LMS Ultra taking to the pit at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Homestead FL.

The fully outfitted semi truck of ANSA Motorsports at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

The Red Bull Audi DTM Class MP1 being warmed up before riding the track at Homestead-Miami Speedway. When she was turned on, every single person from 6 garages on either side of us cleared their decks and came to see her.

The intricate, carbon fiber interior of the Red Bull Audi DTM Class MP1.

ANSA Motorsports crew member and French technician, Simon, reads the Red Bull Audi DTM Class MP1 data before it goes out on track.

ANSA Motorsports client safely strapping in with the assistance of ANSA Motorsports crew member before taking his Audi DTM on the track in Homestead, FL.

The steering wheel of the Audi DTM is the last piece of gear to be put on before every race.

ANSA Motorsports client and crew member maneuver the 2006 Audi DTM race car together out of the garage and onto pit lane in Miami.

ANSA Motorsports client focuses before taking the 2006 Audi DTM race car out of the garage and onto the track at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Homestead FL.

The wicked backside of the Red Bull 2006 Audi DTM Class MP1.

ANSA Motorsports client after driving the Red Bull 2006 Audi DTM Class MP1.

Portrait of ANSA Motorsports’ client in the mirror of a Ferrari scooter.

PHOTOGRAPHY NOTES:

Quick gear note for my fellow photographers: I used my Think Tank Photo Airport AirStream™ Rolling Camera Bag to carry all my gear to the shoot, loaded my essential lenses into my Think Tank Photo Retrospective® 10 Shoulder Bag (Pinestone), which then became my main bag in the garage for the camera shoot. Additionally, I was outfitted with a BlackRapid Kick Women’s Sling Camera Strap RS2SW1S (Grey) which is my new favorite camera strap.

My post-processing was done in Lightroom 4 (at the time) using my own custom recipes made with Totally Rad!’s Lightroom Presets, Totally Rad!’s Replichrome I: Icons, with a final polish in Photoshop CS5 using more custom special sauce with Totally Rad!’s Pro Retouch + TR Action Mix 1 + TR Action Mix 2: The Revenge. You can grab your own sets through the links.