The Feed Archives - Octane Photography

Capture the Moment

Jun 22

by darren in The Feed 0 comments tags: Nascar, San Diego, SVG

Van Gisbergen Filthy about San Diego Race

A massive crash on Lap 32 dramatically altered Sunday’s NASCAR Cup race in San Diego, erupting as the field funneled into Turn 1. Front‑row starters Connor Zilisch and Austin Hill made contact when Hill overshot the corner and missed the apex, sliding up the track and into Zilisch. Both cars slammed the outside wall, and Shane van Gisbergen, running directly behind them, had nowhere to go and piled in. Hill radioed, “Sorry guys, locked up the rear brakes,” after the incident. The wreck destroyed both Trackhouse Chevrolets and heavily damaged Hill’s No. 33. A chain‑reaction collected several others — Daniel Suárez, Ryan Blaney, Michael McDowell, Riley Herbst, John Hunter Nemechek, and Ty Gibbs — with varying degrees of damage. NASCAR immediately threw the red flag to repair the Turn 1 wall. After roughly ten minutes, the race returned to yellow‑flag conditions. Van Gisbergen, visibly frustrated, declined to discuss the crash after exiting the infield care center, telling reporters to “ask the next guys.” He later called the car “unreal fast once the track rubbered up” and said he was “filthy” to leave San Diego with only one point. Looking ahead to another road course next week, he noted the challenge […]

Jun 21

by darren in The Feed 0 comments tags: Aprillia, Bezzecchi, MotoGP

Bezzecchi banned from Czech MotoGP for striking marshal

MotoGP championship leader Marco Bezzecchi has apologised after an extraordinary incident that led to his suspension from Sunday’s Czech Grand Prix at Brno. Bezzecchi crashed out of fifth place during Saturday’s sprint race and, in a moment of anger, was seen running toward a track marshal and striking him twice in the face as the official attempted to recover his bike. The footage prompted an immediate investigation, with stewards citing unsportsmanlike conduct and issuing a race ban. In their decision, officials ruled that Bezzecchi’s actions were “prejudicial to the interests of the sport,” noting that physical aggression toward circuit staff violates core MotoGP regulations. Aprilia appealed the penalty, but the appeal was dismissed within hours. The appeal panel stressed that while riders may experience heightened emotions after a crash, physical confrontation with marshals cannot be excused, adding that the sport depends on officials being able to perform their duties “without fear of intimidation, abuse, or physical assault.” Bezzecchi sought out the marshal on Sunday to apologise in person before releasing a public statement acknowledging his behaviour was unacceptable. The suspension marks a significant setback for the Italian rider, whose championship lead over teammate Jorge Martin had already been cut to […]

May 08

by darren in The Feed 0 comments tags: Holan, North West 200

Kamil Holan named as rider killed at North West 200

The rider killed in an accident at the North West 200 on Thursday has been named as Kamil Holan, from the Czech Republic. The crash occurred at Station Corner in the opening Superbike qualifying session on Thursday morning in Northern Ireland. Holan, 48, is the first fatality at the North West 200 since Malachi Mitchell-Thomas was killed in a Supertwins race in 2016, and he is the 20th to lose their life in the 97-year history of the event. Hefty74, Holan’s team, led tributes to the Czech rider, saying “above all he was a wonderful friend and a man of great character”. “Kamil, you were an inspiration, support and a partner in life and on the track. Your humility, passion and smile will be missed every second,” Hefty74 posted on Facebook. “Your legacy will live on in Hefty74 and in our hearts. We express our deepest and most sincere condolences to his entire family and all his loved ones”. One of a number of international riders competing at the road race in Northern Ireland, Holan, who lived in Prague, first raced at the North West 200 in 2022. His most notable victory came at the Manx Grand Prix in 2012, […]

May 01

by darren in The Feed 0 comments tags: Honda, IOMTT, McGuinness

IOMTT Superbike – Seeded Riders 2026

With less than 25 days to go before qualifying gets underway for this year’s Isle of Man TT Races, anticipation and excitement continue to build, and that builds further today with the release of the top 20 start numbers for the RST Superbike, RL360 Superstock and Milwaukee Senior races. The 1000cc races continue to grab the most attention and capture the imagination, with Honda and BMW having contested the race victories in recent years. Across the Superbike, Superstock and Senior races the top twenty seeded riders are identical, the races will again be both fiercely competitive in 2026 with contenders and intrigue throughout the field. The RL360 Superstock race will get proceedings underway and, for the third consecutive year, the number one plate is taken by John McGuinness MBE. The Honda Racing rider is set to celebrate his 30th anniversary of TT competition, and having made his debut in 1996, the 23-time winner now has 114 starts to his name. His appetite for the Mountain Course remains as strong as ever as he continues to inspire a generation. 2026 1000cc TT Seeded Top 20 1 – John McGuinness | Honda Racing UK | Honda 2 – Nathan Harrison | H&H […]

Apr 30

by darren in The Feed 0 comments tags: IOMTT, Sportbike

2026 IOMTT Carole Nash Sportbike Top 20

The Supertwin class, on the race schedule since 2012, has been updated for 2026 to include Sportbike specification machines. Despite this, the lineup remains familiar with many regulars among the 20 seeded riders. Michael Dunlop dominates recent Supertwin races, winning five of the last six, making him the rider to beat. Mike Browne and Paul Jordan, both with recent podiums, will start first and second. Jordan continues with the Jackson Racing Prosper2 Aprilia, having set the third fastest lap in the class, while Browne returns to Paton machinery for Melbray/Laycock Racing. With Dean Harrison absent, Michael Evans takes the number three plate, aiming to secure a strong result after a turbulent 2025. Adam McLean, sidelined by surgery, withdraws, leaving a gap between Jamie Coward (number four) and Dunlop (number six). Coward, with two Supertwin TT podiums and the second fastest lap at 122.520mph, rides a Paton for the first time and is among the favorites. Dunlop, a 33-time TT winner, rides Paton machinery, holding seven Supertwin victories and the lap record, recently extended to 123.056mph. Barry Furber starts seventh on a DC Motorcycles Newtown Yamaha, with consistent top-ten finishes and a career-best sixth in 2023. Davey Todd, starting eighth, switches […]

Apr 30

by darren in The Feed 0 comments tags: IOMTT, Monster, Supersport

2026 Monster Energy IOMTT Supersport Top 20

The 2026 Isle of Man TT Races will feature two four-lap Monster Energy Supersport races on Tuesday and Friday, a change from previous years when the middleweight class opened the program. With some riders absent and others seeing better chances, the top 20 seeded riders aim to challenge Michael Dunlop MBE, who has won all eight Supersport races since 2022. Mike Browne starts at number one on the Boyce Precision/Russell Racing Yamaha, debuting the YZF-R9 on the Mountain Course. Paul Jordan follows at number two on a Ducati, having placed in the top eight in five of the last six races. Dean Harrison, with one Supersport win in 2018 and consistent podium finishes, starts third on a Honda Racing machine. Jamie Coward, switching from Triumph to Honda, starts fourth, having finished in the top six in five of his last six races. David Johnson rides the CD Racing Kawasaki at number five, followed by Michael Dunlop at six, a dominant force with 15 Supersport TT wins, continuing on the Ducati Panigale V2. Josh Brookes starts seventh on the Uggly & Co. Racing GSX-R750 Suzuki, aiming for a podium finish. Triumph riders Davey Todd, Michael Evans, and Peter Hickman occupy the […]

Jan 18

by darren in The Feed 0 comments tags: MotoGP, Phillip Island

Phillip Island MotoGP Future in Doubt

Phillip Island’s long‑running Motorcycle Grand Prix is at risk, with Melbourne media reporting that MotoGP promoter Dorna Sports is pressuring the Victorian Government to relocate the event to Melbourne’s Albert Park if the contract is to continue beyond 2026. According to The Age, a government source said Dorna’s position has hardened since Formula 1 owner Liberty Media acquired a majority stake in the company last year, with a growing preference for street‑based circuits. The Victorian Government has reportedly increased its financial offer to keep the event at Phillip Island but is unwilling to commit to the extensive upgrades required to host MotoGP at Albert Park. The stalemate has prompted the South Australian Government to enter confidential discussions with Dorna about staging the race on a street circuit in Adelaide. Circuit co‑owner Andrew Fox said Albert Park residents would likely oppose a MotoGP event due to the significant vegetation removal and circuit expansion required, noting that motorcycle racing typically demands more space than Formula 1. Bass Coast Shire Mayor Rochelle Halstead reaffirmed the council’s strong support for retaining the event on Phillip Island, emphasising its economic and cultural importance. “For decades, the MotoGP has put Phillip Island on the world stage,” […]

Jan 06

by darren in The Feed 0 comments tags: Supercars, Triple Eight

Claim of Supercars aero cheating emerges

A renowned aerodynamicist has lifted the lid on what he claims was a rule-beating aero trick on the ZB Commodore Supercar. Former Formula 1 aerodynamicist Nick Wirth has revealed that he deliberately exploited a loophole in Supercars’ VCAT homologation system while developing the aero package for the ZB Commodore. Wirth, whose company Wirth Research was contracted by Triple Eight to assist with the ZB’s 2018 aero design, explained on The Hard Compound YouTube channel that he engineered the car to produce significantly more downforce in race trim than it did during homologation. VCAT — a tightly controlled, runway‑based testing process used by Supercars until the end of 2023 — relied on control brake ducts to accommodate load‑measuring equipment fitted to the suspension. According to Wirth, that detail created an opportunity. He said his team designed an aero package that would stall when the Supercars‑mandated brake ducts were fitted, ensuring the car appeared legal during VCAT. Once the race‑spec brake ducts were installed, however, the aero devices would operate normally, generating what Wirth claims was two and a half times more downforce than the homologation figures suggested. Wirth also claimed that Triple Eight was unaware of the tactic. “We used their […]

Oct 07

by darren in The Feed 0 comments tags: Percat

Nick Percat Retires

The 37-year-old has won six Supercars races since joining the series 15 years ago and will retire after the final event of 2025 in Adelaide. Nick Percat has surprised the Supercars paddock by announcing he will retire at the end of the 2025 campaign. The 37-year-old will make his last start as a full-time Supercars driver at the Adelaide 500 on 27-30 November, driving his Matt Stone Racing Chevrolet Camaro. Percat has won six championship races since making his Supercars debut in 2010, winning for the Holden Racing Team, Lucas Dumbrell Motorsport, Brad Jones Racing and MSR. He rose to prominence as a co-driver with HRT, partnering Garth Tander to victory at the 2011 Bathurst 1000, becoming only the second driver to win the race on debut. This weekend’s Bathurst 1000 will be Percat’s 15th start in the event and his last as a primary driver. “It was definitely not an easy decision because I’m still very competitive. I feel like I’m driving well and have got trophies this year,” said Percat, who has scored three podiums this season. “So it has been quite a lengthy decision, but on the flipside, when one door closes, another opens. “There was probably an opportunity to stay on […]

Sep 30

by darren in The Feed 0 comments tags: Chevrolet, Nascar, SVG

SVG Grabs First NASCAR Oval Top 10

To call Shane van Gisbergen’s rookie season in the NASCAR Cup Series a steep learning curve on oval tracks would barely scratch the surface. But on Sunday at Kansas Speedway, the road course ace finally conquered a major milestone—and he did it the hard way. Before the green flag even dropped for the Hollywood Casino 400, van Gisbergen’s No. 88 Trackhouse Racing team was hit with a series of penalties following pre-race inspection. NASCAR cited unapproved adjustments, resulting in the ejection of crew chief Stephen Doran, the loss of pit stall selection, and a stop-and-go penalty after starting from the rear of the field. Despite the setback, the three-time Supercars champion mounted a remarkable comeback, clawing his way to his first-ever top-10 finish on an oval in the Cup Series. “It was difficult to start a lap down and have that penalty,” van Gisbergen said. “But Chais Eliason, our interim crew chief, did a great job.” SVG’s race began in chaos—serving the penalty on Lap 1 and falling two laps down during Stage 1. But the New Zealander stayed focused. A free pass on Lap 91 brought him back onto the lead lap, and from there, the charge was on. […]