Christian Rodriguez joined the GT REPORT team halfway through 2019 to cover sportscar racing in the USA. This year, IMSA is his main focus, with Watkins Glen and Petit Le Mans covered plus the Michelin GT Cup at VIR. 2020 promises to be an even bigger year, which will kickoff already in a few weeks at Daytona. Until then, here are his 25 best photos of 2019, with a large emphasis on IMSA’s Michelin Endurance Cup.
BEST OF 2019: ERWAN SEITE | JUREK BIEGUS | MIGUEL BOSCH
Top photo:
IMSA Watkins Glen 6 Hours | GALLERY
Nikon D4 + 70-200mm f/2.8 + 2x | 1/1600 sec. | f/5.6 | ISO 200 | 400mm
IMSA Watkins Glen 6 Hours | GALLERY
Nikon D4 + 70-200mm f/2.8 + 2x | 1/1250 sec. | f/5.6 | ISO 800 | 400mm
This year’s IMSA Sahlen 6 Hours had all sorts of weather changes throughout the weekend. From warm temperatures on Friday, to a lot of rain on Saturday, to then cold and windy weather conditions on race day. It was Saturday’s morning practice session however that saw the most treacherous conditions of the entire weekend.
IMSA Watkins Glen 6 Hours | GALLERY
Nikon D4 + 70-200mm f/2.8 + 2x | 1/1250 sec. | f/5.6 | ISO 100 | 240mm
IMSA Watkins Glen 6 Hours | GALLERY
Nikon D4 + 70-200mm f/2.8 | 1/1250 sec. | f/5.6 | ISO 200 | 200mm
IMSA Watkins Glen 6 Hours | GALLERY
Nikon D4 + 70-200mm f/2.8 + 2x | 1/1250 sec. | f/5.6 | ISO 100 | 400mm
IMSA Watkins Glen 6 Hours | GALLERY
Nikon D4 + 70-200mm f/2.8 + 2x | 1/1000 sec. | f/5.6 | ISO 800 | 400mm
Watkins Glen International’s unique blue barriers provided photographers the chance to create colorful imagery throughout the race.
IMSA Watkins Glen 6 Hours | GALLERY
Nikon D4 + 70-200mm f/2.8 + 2x | 1/1600 sec. | f/5.6 | ISO 200 | 400mm
IMSA Watkins Glen 6 Hours | GALLERY
Nikon D4 + 70-200mm f/2.8 + 2x | 1/20 sec. | f/45 | ISO 200 | 400mm
IMSA Watkins Glen 6 Hours | GALLERY
Nikon D750 + 24-70mm f/2.8 | 1/1250 sec. | f/2.8 | ISO 100 | 58mm
Mazda’s first ever IMSA victory was perhaps the highlight of the year for the championship. Watching the entire paddock come together to congratulate the entire Mazda team was something that had to be seen to be believed.
IMSA Watkins Glen 6 Hours | GALLERY
Nikon D750 + 24-70mm f/2.8 | 1/2000 sec. | f/2.8 | ISO 100 | 70mm
IMSA Michelin GT Cup at VIR | GALLERY
Nikon D750 + 24-70mm f/2.8 | 1/2500 sec. | f/2.8 | ISO 100 | 55mm
The Michelin GT Cup race at VIR is one of the most unique events on the IMSA calendar as it is just one of two races in which GTLM cars battle it out for an overall win.
IMSA Michelin GT Cup at VIR | GALLERY
Nikon D4 + 70-200mm f/2.8 + 2x | 1/25 sec. | f/22 | ISO 200 | 400mm
IMSA Michelin GT Cup at VIR | GALLERY
Nikon D4 + 70-200mm f/2.8 + 2x | 1/3200 sec. | f/5.6 | ISO 500 | 400mm
IMSA Michelin GT Cup at VIR | GALLERY
Nikon D4 + 70-200mm f/2.8 + 2x | 1/1000 sec. | f/6.3 | ISO 400 | 400mm
IMSA Michelin GT Cup at VIR | GALLERY
Nikon D4 + 70-200mm f/2.8 + 2x | 1/3200 sec. | f/5.6 | ISO 500 | 400mm
IMSA Michelin GT Cup at VIR | GALLERY
Nikon D4 + 70-200mm f/2.8 + 2x | 1/2500 sec. | f/5.6 | ISO 400 | 400mm
Both practice and qualifying sessions were affected by heavy rains but cleared out just before race day which made for a fun 2 hour and 40 minute Sunday sprint.
IMSA Michelin GT Cup at VIR | GALLERY
Nikon D4 + 70-200mm f/2.8 + 2x | 1/2000 sec. | f/5.6 | ISO 500 | 400mm
IMSA Petit Le Mans at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta | GALLERY
Nikon D4 + 70-200mm f/2.8 + 2x | 1/10 sec. | f/45 | ISO 200 | 400mm
IMSA’s 50th anniversary season closed out with an exciting 10 hour endurance finale at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta which saw battles for the championship across almost all categories.
IMSA Petit Le Mans at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta | GALLERY
Nikon D4 + 70-200mm f/2.8 + 2x | 1/3200 sec. | f/5.6 | ISO 800 | 400mm
IMSA Petit Le Mans at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta | GALLERY
Nikon D4 + 70-200mm f/2.8 + 2x | 1/1600 sec. | f/5.6 | ISO 500 | 400mm
IMSA Petit Le Mans at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta | GALLERY
Nikon D4 + 70-200mm f/2.8 + 2x | 1/40 sec. | f/14 | ISO 100 | 400mm
IMSA Petit Le Mans at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta | GALLERY
Nikon D4 + 70-200mm f/2.8 + 2x | 1/2000 sec. | f/5.6 | ISO 400 | 400mm
IMSA Petit Le Mans at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta | GALLERY
Nikon D4 + 70-200mm f/2.8 + 2x | 1/2000 sec. | f/5.6 | ISO 500 | 400mm
IMSA Petit Le Mans at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta | GALLERY
Nikon D4 + 70-200mm f/2.8 + 2x | 1/30 sec. | f/5.6 | ISO 1000 | 400mm
IMSA Petit Le Mans at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta | GALLERY
Nikon D4 + 70-200mm f/2.8 + 2x | 1/20 sec. | f/14 | ISO 800 | 400mm
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