Dogs & Cars: Racing the World, from Japan to California

Aug 25
3 min read

My passion for classic cars is almost as old as my passion for dogs.

As far back as I can remember, cars, motorcycles and the people who love them have always been part of my world. In my twenties, one of the first restorations I was involved with was a 1968 Alfa Romeo Giulia GT “Stepnose”. I also took part in rallies with Vincennes en Anciennes, crossing Paris many times in a Lotus Europa, while my best friend PA the doctor was doing the same in his beloved 2CV.

There were also adventures across the French countryside in an old BMW from the Second World War, complete with a sidecar, filled with our dog Léa and the kids. Those are the kinds of memories that stay with you: a little noisy, a little chaotic, completely unforgettable.

When I began my journey as a professional photographer, my focus was dogs. There is a simple reason for that: a dog saved my life in 2016.

Since then, dogs have become the heart of my photographic work. But cars and motorcycles have never really been far away. I have always found myself surrounded by passionate people who build, restore, race and ride these beautiful machines. I love that atmosphere, the friendship, the craftsmanship, the freedom and, above all, the sense of adventure.

The first race Press Photographer

Then, in 2019, a friend told me about a race happening in September.

“I've heard about this race. Apparently, it’s going to be something. Let’s go and make some memories.”

So we did.

That was my first classic car and motorcycle beach race: the Normandy Beach Race.

To make the adventure even better, we left London and headed towards Normandy in a hot rod. (pictures here)

It remains one of the most amazing road trips I have ever experienced.

There is something very special about travelling to a race in an old car or on a motorcycle. The journey becomes part of the event. You feel every kilometre, every vibration and every change in the weather. You meet people along the way, stop somewhere unexpected, share stories, and arrive already carrying memories.

And, of course, there are dogs..

Being a dog lover, I could never ignore the four-legged members of these adventures.

Wherever people take their cars and motorcycles, dogs are often there too riding along, waiting beside the pits, exploring the paddock or simply watching their humans prepare for the next race.

I started photographing them naturally, alongside the people and machines that made up their world.

Over the years, this has taken me from the Normandy Beach Race in France, to Rømø in Denmark, Orai in Japan, and all the way to El Mirage in California.

Different countries. Different landscapes. Different machines.

But the same spirit.

People who are passionate about what they do, dogs who are part of the family adventure, and beautiful old cars and motorcycles that still have plenty of stories left to tell.

From my “human” work to Dogs&Cars

These images have traditionally lived on my other website, what I jokingly call my “human” website, alongside my work photographing the people, cars and motorcycles.

My dog photography has its own home at E5 Dog Photography.

But the more I photographed these adventures, the more I felt that the two worlds belonged together.

Because dogs and cars have something wonderful in common: they are both part of our stories.

They come with us on road trips. They sit beside us in the garage. They wait for us at the finish line. They make us laugh when things don't go according to plan. And, very often, they are there for the memories we treasure most.

So now, you can discover those stories here too.

From muddy paws to polished chrome. From wet English roads to French beaches. From vintage motorcycles to beautifully restored classics. From a dog waiting patiently beside a hot rod to a racing machine disappearing into the California desert.

This is Dogs & Cars.

And the story isn't finished...

Here is the link for ALL Dogs&Cars Racing in this Gallery.

I always seem to have a classic car project coming up. ;)

So I suspect there will be plenty more roads to travel, races to discover, dogs to photograph and stories to tell.

From Japan to California and wherever the next adventure takes us I’ll be there with my camera.

And probably a dog somewhere nearby.

Someone said Bridlington Race the Wave is coming soon!