August 30, 2015

Today, is Sunday, August 30, my birthday and I should be happy. I am happy but I'm saddened because of Justin Wilson's passing.  I am a huge Indy Car race fan and photographer and I have photographed Justin Wilson for years.

He passed away last week after an accident during the Indy Car race in Pennsylvania at the Pocono race track. Sage Karam crashed and the nose cone of his car became airborne and landed on Justin's head. Justin never regained consciousness and passed away on Tuesday.  His organs were donated and I heard that he saved six lives.

Justin Wilson was the nicest guy on pit lane.  He was one of three drivers of the Driver's Committee and would help anyone he could. Everyone liked him and I mean everyone.

Through the years of photographing drivers, I have traded my photos for their helmet visors for my collection at home. After I have their visor, I trade photos for their gloves, if possible. I have Justin's visor and a pair of his gloves from Milwaukee's race in 2007. During today's final race of the season at Sonoma Raceway, I think I will get those gloves out and look at them.

Attached here are photos of Justin through the years driving Champ Cars, IRL cars and having fun with Tony Kanaan on pit lane in Milwaukee. One photo that I really like is of his steering wheel from 2012.  One of his guys put "Badass Wilson" on the top of it!

Miss you Badass Wilson, and I will soon frame those gloves and display them in my race room.

Thanks,

Rich Zimmermann

Justin Wilson, racing in Champ Car and the IRL.

August 24, 2014

In tunnel boat racing in the 1990's, Buck Thornton was an excellent racer. Bill Seebold and Buck were the old guys and they were probably the best racers out there.

Buck was from Louisiana and was always classy and clean. You would never see him without his hat and team colors.  Both he and his crew were always well dressed.

He gave the Seebolds some good competition and was fun to be around. He passed away a few years ago. We miss him and what he brought to the sport of tunnel boat racing.

Enjoy a few photos of Buck from the 1990 St. Louis Grand Prix.

Please join me on Facebook at Rich Zimmermann Photography if you haven't yet to stay up to date with my photography.

Thanks,

Rich Zimmermann

Buck Thornton, at the St. Louis Grand Prix in 1990.

August 17, 2015

The next few weeks of blogs will make my boat racing friends happy!

This week, we feature the Seebold family racing at the St. Louis Grand Prix in 1990 and 1991. Bill Seebold along with his sons, Mike and Tim, are comparable to the Andretti family in Indy cars.

They live in the St. Louis area and the St. Louis Grand Prix is their home race.

In boat racing, the St. Louis Grand Prix is equal to the Indy 500 or the big Daytona 500 race for NASCAR.

Bud Light was the main sponsor for many years of the St. Louis Grand Prix. Budweiser's home is St. Louis and this race is BIG. It is known worldwide with racers coming from all over the globe.

So, enjoy a few photos of the Seebold family racing in St. Louis in 1990 and 1991. The next few weeks will feature other boat racing teams and other boat races.

Thanks,

Rich Zimmermann

The Seebold family racing team at the St. Louis Grand Prix in 1990 and 1991.

July 27, 2015

Last week's blog focused on the portraiture of pit lane and the Indy Car drivers.

Photographing the drivers on pit lane is one of my favorite things to do!

Still I cannot forget the beautiful cars that they drive. So, here are some of the best looking cars at The Milwaukee Mile a few weekends ago.

Plus, one more portrait of pole position winner, Josef Newgarden.

Enjoy and have a great week.

Thanks,

Rich Zimmermann

July 20, 2015

Indyfest 2015, at the historic Milwaukee Mile, did not disapoint.

Josef Newgarden, got his first pole position and Sebastian Bourdais, returned to the winners circle at The Milwaukee Mile. Seabass, as we call Sebastian, has been there before.

This time Seabass, almost lapped the field by the end of the race! His car was that good.

Enjoy a few photos here of the day and for more, go to the category Indyfest 2015 in my Racing menu.

Thanks,

Rich Zimmermann

2015 Indyfest, at the Milwaukee Mile.

May 25, 2015

It's Sunday evening here as I write my blog in Wisconsin.  It's  a cool, rainy, sleepy day, and good day to sit and watch the Indy 500.

My blog today takes a look at Jeff Beck, who I had the pleasure of photographing Friday night at Milwaukee's Riverside Theater. He is so good and my favorite guitarist.

We sat and watched Juan Pablo Montoya win the Indy 500 today! He was in last place for a bit, and then wins it all!! Congrats to him, wife Connie and family.

For fun, I have included my first ever Indy car photos from the Milwaukee 1971, Rex Mays Classic race at the Milwaukee Mile. Dad wouldn't take me, so the photos are done with a tripod and shot through the television!!! Bobby Unser won it and looks so young!  A.J. Foyt has a plain old white helmet with AJ written on it! Funny stuff to look at until you see the one photo of someone's car in flames on the track. Love the #1 Bardahl car of Joe Leonard!

Thanks and have a good week,

Rich Zimmermann