Blinders On

 *Photos & Text by Bryan Goffe

What to focus on?

While watching Randy Johnson on CBS Saturday Morning talking about, ‘Looking through a camera lens is like having blinders on being similar to his career of focusing on pitching..’

I was reminded of something Steve Huff said a few years ago along the lines of, ‘It’s not that a racer can’t pay attention, but limiting vision with tape on the visor helps narrow focus’.

While growing up in an era where many were taught to believe that we ‘could do anything’ it is also true that you cannot do everything. It is good to experience many things…but at some point narrowing life’s focus is some kind of story problem, an equation where time increasingly dominates. Or as an economist might call it Opportunity Cost regarding resources (can’t do this – if you’re doing that).

Looking through the different lenses of perspective on life through photography with some racer wisdom at the same time may not make sense to many; but what do you expect from someone who will wake up early to watch Formula One, go to a Traditional and Rat Rod Car Show then end the day at a Drag Strip?

See you at the races. 

Or show.

*Some photos are posted on the Garage Asylum Facebook page in various albums

What’s the Drift?

*Photos & Text by Bryan Goffe

To be honest I came to the track late, by accident. A few years ago I went to Evergreen Speedway to meet with an energy drink representative regarding sponsorship possibilities, Formula Drift was the event. While there I decided to experience some of the action and take a few pictures, I stayed for the day. And took a few hundred pictures.

Despite being a fan of most Motorsports, Drifting never captured my interest. Part of that comes with the stereotypical over-fifty with the usual old-guy observations:

That’s just the current thing kids are doing.

Isn’t that how drag racing started?

It’s just a byproduct of movies and video games.

Popular culture is a thing. And modern video games..well that’s another story.

It’s a performance, not a race. 

Essentially true but what a performance(s).

 There’s no clear winner.

It is judged and the fans can make enough noise for a rematch – very cool.

Since my first experience I’ve enjoyed Drifting at SEMA Ignited a few times, several Formula Drift and some regional events. While I can honestly say ‘knowing the winner’ evades me; I thoroughly enjoy the over-horsepowered modified cars and the amazing talent of the drivers.

The basic observations that I have about Drifting: Lots of tire smoke and the sounds associated, short (few minute) rounds that appeal to shorter focus – like drag racing, inadvertent carnage – like NASCAR, pits access – like drag races and plenty of fan experiences with drivers and in some cases SIM opportunities. As with all Motorsports, they’re better in person.

*Photo by CannuliTPhoto

Most race fans have an opinion as to whether or not Drifting belongs in the world of Motorsport. It isn’t for everyone, but what is.

What is with the Drift?
Go check it out.

*Some photos are posted on the Garage Asylum Facebook page in various albums

Grand National Roadster Show

*Photos & Text by Bryan Goffe

“Want to go to the Grand National Roadster Show?” texted my friend Steve Huff on a winter Tuesday.

“Since I was a kid.”

“Cool, we leave on Wednesday. I have to setup my bike on Thursday.”

“Uh, what just happened?!” I mumbled to myself as I wrapped my brain around what it takes to get ready quickly to be gone for a few days. When you know Steve that kind of short notice for cool stuff happens.. (this was to be our first of many road-trip adventures).

After a marathon drive from Seattle to Pomona in a borrowed van with his record breaking Buell in the back; we actually arrived early enough for breakfast, a nap and waited to get set up in the 2017 themed building for land speed racing that year.

While shooting what I could for Steve Huff Motorsports promotion purposes I also wandered throughout the rest of the show and shot cars to promote through Garage Asylum – an example of what Larry Chen calls, “Double-dipping the trip” (lining up more than one photo-shooting objective for a trip). Others might call it, ‘Burning the candle at both ends,’

At the time I didn’t know that returning to GNRS would become annual trip for me, just as I didn’t know a pandemic would later interfere. Now that I’m back for my fifth show as always memories and reflection are part of the experience(s).

Is this a return to a previous annual trek? 

Or will this life’s road be interrupted again.

Regardless…I’m planning to attend all of the days it’s open for most of the hours plus the few extra that come with a Media Pass and likely attend a related evening gathering – burning the candle at both ends.

*Some photos are posted on the Garage Asylum Facebook page in Grand National Roadster Show albums.

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The Grand National Roadster Show never disappoints. Hundreds of cars drive in on Saturday to even out the pull of hundreds of cars inside the complex buildings giving something for every one of the thousands of people who make this show ‘the seasonal kickoff.’ It is always a great gathering to meet up with old friends and make new ones while celebrating the California hot rod scene with old and new builds.

Experience, Capture and Share

*Photos & Text by Bryan Goffe

Race or show, the next event is just a calendar page away.

Motorsports travel is my form of adventure travel – seeking to experience, capture and share. The challenge of finding places to shoot from reasonably safe vantage points at different venues is both exhausting and thrilling, accentuated with periods of solitude. Shows are a slower form of Motorsports appreciation, like seeing animals in nature, a zoo or park; wildness resting.

As a kid I thought the people who traveled to get the pictures in my Grandma’s National Geographic magazines were lucky. And that the correspondents who covered war zones to share stories for the news, informing people from up close, were beyond brave.
While walking around rows of vehicles or waiting in the trees for some race action isn’t as wild as wildlife pursuits (I do photograph some animals that appear..birds mostly) nor are the Media vests worn remotely as dangerous as those in armed conflict, it can be slightly similar in dangerous ways.

Being at a track for a race or venue for a show before it wakes up has an energetic air about it, anticipating what is to come; more so if experiencing an event for the first time while more reflective at the reoccurring.

There is always a toll. Done right it is exhausting. Long days and lots of steps in the elements and maneuvering through courses of crowds.
Even a show has miles of walking, waiting and crouching for hours. Whether covering a race or show, days typically start early and run late. Having a broken internal clock helps; sleeping when you can. A temporary diet of venue food, media center snacks, meal replacement bars, lots of coffee or energy drinks and airport cocktails (with an extra shot for a dollar more) is part of the deal.
Frequent travel is easier when you never really unpack, camera equipment kept in a souvenir sticker-bombed pelican box and a dedicated backpack ready for short notice – live by a door.

Nobody waiting at home makes it easy to leave and easier to stay away. The more you go, the more you want to. However after some time on the road all you want to do is get home, and after a few weeks at home you want to get back out there. Like discussed by Anthony Bourdain and musician Josh Homme in the movie Roadrunner, “..Bittersweet curse. Nothing feels better than going home and nothing feels better than leaving home.”

Feel the effects? Yes.
Love it? Absolutely.

Toll paid.

A Roadrunner greeter at Tuscan airport 01.23.24

*Some photos are posted on the Garage Asylum Facebook page in various albums.

Sold! Sold! Sold!

*Text by Bryan Goffe

If you’ve been you know. People attend auctions for many different reasons other than the obvious..to buy something. People like me go to take in the whole show.

Motor vehicle auctions have grown in size, occurrence and exposure. Larger auctions like Barrett-Jackson and Mecum are partially televised over a few days from various locations around the United States throughout the year(s). They are essentially a huge car show in which most are for sale. These auctions give rare glimpses at world class collector vehicles and occasionally valuable collections owned by people like Larry Carrell.

Like a circus there is more than just what’s going on in the big tent. What you don’t see much of on TV is the growing section of collector automobilia and petroliana: signs (porcelain, neon and others), toys, vintage gas pumps and other marketing memorabilia. There are vendors selling related products, manufacturers with new vehicles and at some shows ride-alongs on a road coarse.

In addition to the constant commentary from experts in the booth; Personalties wander through the field of vehicles and highlight some of the notable examples to share statistics, insights and other factoids for those at home watching on TV and Social Media.

Celebrities of the car world are often in attendance so keep an eye out and maybe even get a photo, selfie or an autograph.

The gamble of Reserve or No Reserve is a decisive tactic left up to each seller. And like a poker game a Reserve can be lifted when bidding slows in attempts to cause more action. Tension between the last few bidders and their entourages can be seen along with the unseen wild cards of phone and online bidders – all playing against a clock. And the gavel drops.

Most asked: What’s it worth?

Best answer: Whatever someone will pay.

Others ask: Drive it, Park it or Sell it?

Whatever reason you go, watch on television or catch the highlights on social media – enjoy the show.

*Photos are posted on the Garage Asylum Facebook page in various albums.

Video Games

*Photos & Text by Bryan Goffe

“Where is everyone?!” has grumbled from mouth many times over recent years, “Probably in a basement playing video games.” While out at a racetrack like: Pacific Raceways, Ridge Motorsports Park, Evergreen Speedway, Portland International Raceways and others for some races catching up with regulars. Sure annual marquee events like: Formula Drift, INDYCAR, MotoAmerica, Nascar, NHRA, etc. pack a track and fill the stands – but what about the rest of a season.

“Games, they’re home playing those video games.” 

“Yeah, that’s where the young people are.”

In 2019 I had the opportunity to be interviewed on a podcast “Wheels and Pedals Wednesday” with my car, a 1968 AMC AMX. Johniwanna (his gamer tag) worked for Forza and this podcast was another lane of his Motorsports lifestyle influencing. Prior I knew nothing much about Forza, nor any other Xbox games and did little to learn more after the podcast.

A few years later I was interviewed for a temporary position on a rotating team photographing vehicles for the Forza game(s). I did not get the position (yet) and since the opening reoccurs I decided to do some research (better late than never) and be prepared when opportunity knocks again.

For my 57th birthday I got myself an Xbox console.

If you want to laugh, swear, feel younger and lose track of time while honing your hand-eye coordination..get one. And I keep hearing things about ongoing learning to help preserve the brain, use it or lose kind of wisdom. Must have hobbies, etc. If I need to keep learning it might well as be something fun.

Fast forward, many thanks to Garage Asylum affiliates for funding the next level of my gaming experiences with a Logitech steering wheel and pedals which quickly lead to a Playseat gaming chair.

Currently turning my living room into a SIM race car.

“How do you have time to play?” is a common question.

“It significantly cuts into my tv time.”

“When do you play?”

“Usually early, I wake up early anyway and racing around along with a cup of coffee is a great way to start a day.”

In some words of Clint Eastwood, “I get up every morning and I go out. And I don’t let the old man in.” Okay before ‘I go out’ I get in some SIM seat time.

See ya at the (virtual) track.

Gamertag: GarageAsylum

Plate: LETHAL

*Photos are posted on the Garage Asylum Facebook page in various albums.

The SEMA Show

*Photos & Text by Bryan Goffe

What is SEMA? For me it’s the world’s biggest car and trade show, an automotive enthusiast circus; an annual grand finale to another season of shows and races with a glimpse at what is to come. An event to meet up with like minded friends old and new to celebrate the world of motor vehicles.

The Specialty Equipment Market Association is a million different things to a few million different people. The SEMA Show is a week of too much and not enough. Miles of the automotive world on display for those in the industry and others fortunate enough to attend since it began in 1963. The annual gathering of all things vehicular fills the Las Vegas convention center and spills out into the grounds around it with new products, show vehicles, automotive lifestyle celebrities and people – lots of people.

Regardless of taste for new vehicles, trending aftermarket parts or some of the latest finished modified show, race, on or off-road vehicles – your Gearhead interest will likely be there.

It is fitting that The SEMA Show grows and evolves in the city of excess and largess.

SEMA has changed more over the recent years and grown with the times – an event hosted by a city built and continually rebuilt to celebrate more. Adding more action with Motorsports groups like Hoonigans “killing tires” in their “Burnyard”, Drift Cars taking people for a thrillride and Optima Streetcar racers adding to the show – there’s something for everyone. Even the Ignited after-party grows.

Larry Chen put it best standing by a barrier, “So much fun.”

Do you want to go to SEMA? Yes.

Should you go to SEMA? If you get the chance, do it.

*Photos are posted on the Garage Asylum Facebook page in 2016-17, 2018, 2019 and 2023 photo albums.

Accredited, Qualifying Materials and Otherwise

Photo & Text by Bryan Goffe

As more magazines disappear into accredited piles of printed on paper history, stories now float around from modern versions of typewriters in a virtual attempt at replacement – only to be viewed on tracking devices.

Is a blog a replacement? Accredited still matter? Qualifying Materials determined by a web search? Apparently so..otherwise we would have nothing.

Does the Motorsports world really need another collection of electronic #words; a series of informed thoughts and observations combined with a few digital pictures?

I don’t know.

Here we go…