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Best Vintage Car Racing Photo of 2019

Austin Mini Cooper S at the Goodwood Members Meeting (photo: Drew Gibson) Drew Gibson
Austin Mini Cooper S at the Goodwood Members Meeting (photo: Drew Gibson)

Starting with the GP Ice Race in January and ending with the Coppa delle Alpi in December, Sports Car Digest covered a diverse range of historic car races and rallies in 2019. Our award-winning team of photographers took tens of thousands of pictures, spending hours post-event analyzing and choosing the best ones in an effort to wow our readers. To celebrate the effect that these photographs have on us as well as the dozens of talented photographers who capture them, we have once again narrowed it down to the 50 best vintage racing pictures of the year.

Identifying the top 50 certainly wasn’t a walk in the park, as the shots worthy of high praise number not in the dozens but in the many hundreds. The list is done, however, and similar to our Best of 2009, Best of 2010, Best of 2011, Best of 2012, Best of 2013, Best of 2014, Best of 2015, Best of 2016, Best of 2017 and Best of 2018 contests, we are asking for your assistance picking the best vintage car racing photo from 2019.

Previous Best Vintage Car Racing Photo Winners

Simply vote by leaving a comment below indicating which photo is your favorite image. If you feel that we’ve overlooked a particular picture, please nominate a candidate by linking to the picture in your comment. We will announce the winner in the January 30th edition of our newsletter and in the comment section.

We will randomly choose THREE winners from the comments to receive a SCD T-Shirt and sticker combo, so be sure to include your email address in the comment form so we can reach you. In order to win, you must also be a subscriber to Sports Car Digest, so sign up for our free newsletter if you haven’t already.

We hope you enjoy the top 50 best pictures of 2019, sorted by the date taken.

1/30/20 Update: Readers overwhelmingly chose Gerard Brown’s outstanding capture of the 1954 Austin-Healey 100/4 leaping out of a sandpit in Mongolia on the Peking to Paris Motor Challenge as our best vintage racing photo of 2019. Commentator Jessica W. said it best: “… so much energy and determination in that shot, it sums up all that is amazing about these beautiful old cars.”

Your second favorite image from last year was Victor Varela’s endearing photo of the yellow 1915 Ford Race Car with its mustached driver using a hand-held mirror to check out the competition, followed by Pierre-Yves Riom’s photo of the iconic Gulf Porsche 917K seemingly flat-out during the Spa Classic.

Many thanks for all the thoughtful comments and votes. They were as fun to read as looking at the pictures.

Best Vintage Car Racing Photo of 2019

 

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275 Comments

    1. Like the Porsche 904 Carrera GTS at the Goodwood Members Meeting (photo: Drew Gibson) because it captures the essence of wringing the car out in racing.

    4. Great photos here, but few seem to capture the spirit of vintage racing like Michael DiPleco’s Jaguar D-Type at the Goodwood Revival shot. The mix of the car, track and crowds best conveys the spirit of the sport. Very Well done! – Take care, Mike

  6. I am honored, once again, to have several of my images selected for consideration for this year’s Best Vintage Car Racing Photo of 2019.

    My choice for the BVCRP of 2019 is Jayson Fong’s image of the BMW M1 Procar demonstration at the Goodwood Members Meeting.

    Honorable mention go out to Pierre-Yves Riom’s Porsche 917K at the Spa Classic and Drew Gibson’s Porsche 904 Carrera GTS at the Goodwood Members Meeting.

    Overall there are some excellent images being considered.

    1. For me Victor Varela photo of the 1915 Ford Race Car at Monterey is the outstanding image. It’s an excellent picture but what makes outstanding for me is the the driver holding what I assume is his rear view mirror. Brilliant

  10. Bugatti Type 35 Grand Prix at the Mille Miglia (photo: 1000 Miglia Srl) – great shot, great cars and drivers. I want to drive that road in that Bugatti

  11. So hard to select just one out of so many brilliant photos. However, in the end this is the one that ‘does it’ for me …Austin-Healey 100/4 on the Peking to Paris (photo: Gerard Brown / Francesco Rastrelli)

  12. For me there are two great shots which show that we ‘do motorsport’ despite the conditions; my favourite is the Porsche 911 in the mud (East African Safari) shot but the Luigi BMW shot at Spa is also very atmospheric.

  15. My choice is the Porsche 356, photo by P. Romano, but it’s biased by the fact that I have a similar car…. All pictures are really fantastic!

  16. For me the passion, the dust and the challenge were all summed up in one photo: Bentley Speed Six on the Peking to Paris (photo: Gerard Brown / Francesco Rastrelli). Superb selection to choose from – well done.

  23. I have to agree with the Silk Cut Jaguar XJR. The clarity of the pic. The colorr scheme of the car along with the corner. strrpe colors frame the car andstand out. The exhaust trail behind it depics speed and not just action.

  32. My favorite is the Ferrari 250 GT SWB/C driven by Tom Kristensen at the Goodwood Revival (photo: Nick Harvey) Just like the mood and feel of the sunset and the car, but I could also pick about 6 others! Very strong collection..

  35. My strongest reaction was to the Bentley Super Sport on the Peking to Paris (photo: Gerard Brown / Francesco Rastrelli). Really enjoyed the gallery.

  43. My favorite is the Chevrolet coupe in the Peking to Paris rally.
    The landscape reminds me of my grandparents ranch in western North Dakota. Loads of old Chevrolets out there!

  47. I go along with Dan Morrison above. It has to be shot of Julian Mazjub in his Indianapolis Sunbeam blasting off the line at Goodwood. Close race too…

  53. Truly engaging race photos not only give us a sense of the speed and beauty of the vehicle, but also the joy and intensity of driving it. Two of these many great photos stand out in both respects by giving clear shots of the driver’s face: the 1915 Ford Race Car at the Monterey Motorsports Reunion (photo: Victor Varela) and the Porsche 911 sliding on the Winter Marathon Rally (photo: Pierpaolo Romano). Tough choice, but it’s the 1915 Ford photo that brings the bigger smile to my face.

    1. the D50 is my favourite also. It brings back the memories as a young boy in the 50s of racing cars you wish you could see for real but it was only news paper pics if any when you lived in NZ

  57. There are a number of excellent photographs in this group, it is always a delight to open Sport Car Digest weekly knowing that the photos accompanying the articles are all first rate. My pick for this year is the Austin-Healey 100/4 on the Peking to Paris Rallye, it truly depicts the charisma and commitment needed to take such vintage car to participate and finish such grueling event.

  58. So many great photos. The BEST, which is a tough choice, IS the Ferrari 250 GT SWB/C at Goodwood, by Nick Harvey. Great balance, good contrast and beautiful color. My second choice would be the Bugotti Type 35 Grand Prixat the Mille Miglia, My third choice would be the Bentley Spped Six on the Peking to Paris by Gerard Brown. Lastly would be the Chevrolet Fangio Coupe on the Peking to Paris by Gerard Brown. Again many great photos. The photographers are all to be commended for their work.

  60. Most are evocative, but the head-on shot of Jackie Stewart is superb and it strikes an emotional cord in me because sport dominated business, when only the driver controlled his car. This special time in my memory will never be recreated.
    Cheers, Peter

  66. 1916 Sunbeam ‘Indianapolis’ at the Goodwood Members Meeting. Looks like a race car. No thousands of dollars paint. Smoking the tire. Just great!!

  69. One off the best photo’s from your selection is in my eyes the yellow Ferrari 512 M. This car trouhgs the 70-ties right back into your face. Unforgettable history. If I hear this car comming from a distance I immediately get goosebumps. When I am near the 512M and it gets started up, my hart stops of enjoyment and I have to hear the valves ratteling. Wauw, what an experience.

  73. My choice would be Jackie Stewart at Goodwood in the Matra-Cosworth MS-80. There are so many good photos to chose from but they one jumped out to me.

  74. Bentley Speed Six in Peking to Paris Rally
    These cars are really rare, and stunningly beautiful and seeing on in action is exciting and a real treat.

  76. My choice – Bugatti Type 35 Grand Prix at the Mille Miglia (photo: 1000 Miglia Srl)
    Choosing 1 from 50 was tough – don’t know how you were able to get to the final 50 from so many super pictures.
    The Bugatti picture to me is a “racing” scene of: beauty; a peaceful setting; and enjoyment of automobile enthusiasts.
    We would all love to be behind the wheel!!
    I really look forward to receiving your weekly SCD. It’s my weekly “car-fix.” Thank you!

  81. I’m always thankful to recieve such great photos and reports in my email inbox weekly for FREE! Thank you to all contributors.
    This year i have to say my top pick is certainly the Lancia Fulvia @ Tour Auto Rally by Matty White – fabulous photo! A close 2nd and 3rd for me are Maserati Tip 61 Birdcage @ Monza by Fotorissima, and the Austin Mini Cooper S @ Goodwood by Drew Gibson. Congratulations to all the photographers and please keep up the great work. Greg D. [email protected]

  87. It was a tuff choice having done a bit of SCCA myself I was kind of fond of the Minis, but I realized that what said “Classic racing ” to me were the Bentley Super Sport on the Peking to Paris, and the 1915 Ford Race Car at Monterey Motor Sports Reunion… and that’s where my vote goes, the 1915 Ford Race Car

  89. Jaguar D-Type at the Goodwood Revival (photo: Michael DiPleco)
    Looks like the incredible Kinrara cup which is held during sunset on Friday. It is a breathtaking event and Michael captured it.

  90. Lots of really great shots. I have to go with the 1915 Ford racer. i would love to have been behind the wheel. “When things were simpler then — -” .

  96. Bugatti Type 35 Grand Prix at the Mille Miglia (photo: 1000 Miglia Srl). It’s taken on one of those misty, enchanting Mediterranean mornings, before the sun beats down. The participants in the Bugatti are dressed for the occasion. And was there ever a better car to personify the age of luxury in motoring than the Bugatti Type 35? Sighs of pleasure from Toronto.

  99. Lots of CSL’s to choose from, and 2 of them Luigi team cars. Since Luigi passed away only a few weeks ago and propriety prevents me from voting for the Castrol CSL I’ll vote for his car in the rain at SPA. RIP Luigi Cimarosti.

    1. My favourite is the Austin Healey 100 on the Peking/Paris rally – so much energy and determination in that shot, it sums up all that is amazing about these beautiful old cars

  103. Can I vote for my own car’s photo?! Thank you for including Gerard Brown’s excellent photo of my Austin Healey 100 coming out of a sandpit in Mongolia on the P2P – my favourite all time photo of one of my cars!!

  107. There’s no choice other than the fabulous shot of the Austin Healey getting air on the Paris to Peking – and full marks to the crazy guys who thought that this car, with its limited ground clearance and minimal luggage space could possibly be suitable for such a gruelling event. Well done guys, I understand that you completed the entire event under your own steam, and amazing achievement.

  108. Hard to choose, so many beatiful images.
    Try to find only one, I would say that “Bentley Super Sport on the Peking to Paris (photo: Gerard Brown / Francesco Rastrelli)” is the one.

  110. They are all fantastic and I was ready to give up and pick them all. Until I saw the 1915 Ford race car with the pilot using a hand held mirror to check the following competition! That’s my pick.

  112. My choice is the photo by Jakob Ebrey — Austin-Healey 3000 at the Silverstone Classic. To me, it’s a wonderful composition and the strongly-themed colour is just right. Not my favourite car (that’s the 250F), but it is my favourite photo of the 50. If I were given a second choice, it would really difficult to choose between Matty White’s photo of the AC Cobra 289 at the Tour Auto Rally and that delightful Austin Mini Cooper S at the Goodwood Members Meeting photographed by Drew Gibson.

  116. I’m going with the 1916 Sunbeam Indy. This really captures vintage racing from a time none of us today were still alive but formed the sport so many of us have loved for so long.

  124. My favourite is «Austin-Healey 100/4 on the Peking to Paris» photo Gerard Brown / Francesco Rastelli. What an awesome photo and a great challenge for a sports car to compete in this event with a great outcome, good on you Gidget Austin Healey!

  129. I pick the LOTUS 23B Frank Monise #44. Great shot of an iconic car.
    The Austin Healey 100 Peking to Paris picture is spectacular as well….as is the 917K at Spa – and Jackie Stewart in the Matra-Cosworth
    Love the Mustang Boss 302 Trans-Am, and….etc.

  134. I would be very happy to shoot an image, similar to the classy photo of Fotorissima in which the BMW CSL at the rainy Spa Classic has been perfectly captured.

  135. Ford Mustang Boss 302 at the Trans Am Speedfest (photo: Victor Varela). I like this shot best because of the crisp focus on the lead car and the blurred images of the sister Mustangs trailing behind.

    Thanks Sports Car Digest for your continued great work, and my regards to all of the wonderful photographers who help me feel like I was really at these events.
    Bill

  138. So many outstanding photographs of cars at speed – well done All! Considering the age of the ‘”beast” and the exotic locale, I vote for the Bentley Speed Six Peking to Paris. Thank you, Rick Rushton

  142. I think the photo of the Bugatti 35 Grand Prix on the Mille Miglia is a winner. The morning fog, the tree-lined road, and the other two cars fading in the fog makes for a great photograph.

  143. Much as I love several of these photos, and the 904 in particular, I have to choose the Porsche 911 throwing mud et al. all over. A superb evocation of real world speed!

  149. My pick would be the 2005 Audi R8 LMP at the Monterey Motorsports Reunion (photo: Victor Varela). I really like the blend of motion blur and the crisp, in-focus racecar. The foreground bokeh (the tree) adds creativity to this image!

  151. Michael DiPleco D Type at Goodwood. So many wonderful panning shots with blurred background or overhead up close and personal. All great photos but this particular shot is spectacular in its simplicity. An epic, iconic car at a fabulous event. Real people watching real cars.

  164. Wow another year of great photos my hat’s off to all the photographers not only great pictures but you have a great job!

    My 3 favorites are the Porsche 911 in East Africa, the Porsce 356 on Winter Rally and the Bentley throwing up dust in the rally….All great.

  166. The Austin Healey 100 on the Peking to Paris gets my vote, it encapsulates the spirit of the event. Classic cars being set free to enjoy themselves!

  168. Has to be the Austin Healey Peking to Paris 2019. When have you EVER seen a Healey of any description on dirt roads in the Gobi desert, driven so hard the wheels are in the air.
    Unique, and totally magical. That is how Healeys should be driven. ?

  172. Oh dear, you have so many of my favourite cars, I am a total sucker for Group C etc, I have to select the Jaguar XJ 14 the Big Cats just do it for me.

  179. The best photo is the 1915 Ford Race Car at the Monterey Motorsports Reunion (photo: Victor Varela). Not only is it technically a fine shot, but the context is unique, not just another pan and snap. Runner ups are the CSL at Spa in the rain – a very tough shot to get right at that angle, and the yellow Mini at Goodwood, a real piece of art. Thank you for another great year of photos to put to a vote.

  180. Ferrari 250 GT SWB/C at Goodwood. The blend of venue, lighting, car and angle of photo are all outstanding. But still wasn’t easy narrowing all of this down to one photo! Excellent collection of shots.

  184. The Mini Cooper S on the Coppa delle Alpi (photo: 1000 Miglia Srl). The photo is absolutely beautiful with the valley below. The Mini is a true super car, small and practical and very much fun to drive. I could enjoy its simplicity and have a blast doing it.

  186. Ferrari 250 GT SWB/C driven by Tom Kristensen at the Goodwood Revival (photo: Nick Harvey) Gets my nod. The dusk scene and splashed windows just look like endurance raceing.

  198. I love the action shot of the Austin Healey 100/4 in the Paris to Peking.It typifies how tough the race was and how hard these guys pushed their old cars.

  206. So many great photo’s and cars but my favourite is definitly the Austin-Healey 100/4 on the Peking to Paris (photo: Gerard Brown / Francesco Rastrelli) – well done

    1. Another vote for the Austin Healey 100 photo. It well depicts the strength of a 1954 car chassis on the challenging route of the Peking – Paris. Paul Robertson

  211. Austin Healey 100 great photo – took me back some decades loaning my engine to Philip Young to do the Himalayan Rally – Gidget owners had some real b…..s to do that event! David Matthews.

  217. anyone who’s ever driven an austin healey 100 wil agree: truely heroic to take this car on the PtoP rally Tops for me and the phote shows it best

  218. Favorite foto is Austin Healey 100, starting flight. Have had several, and each made me want to drive that sort of terrain, in that fashion. Great capture!

  227. The battle scarred Austin Healey 100 ‘Gidget’ charging up a hill in the Peking to Paris epitomises the legacy of the Big Healeys and the spirit of historic rallying

  238. As I have an Austin Healey 100/4 myself : no doubt, my vote goes for the Paris to Peking AH 100/4. I guess that my car would brake in two if I made such a jump !

  239. Austin Healey-lovers stays AH-lovers! Great car, never a problem on the road, or it can be fixed in half an hour. That jump was amazing, hope they did not kicked out of it! So my faorite is the “Austin-Healey 100/4 on the Peking to Paris”.

  242. Definitly the picture of the Bentley Speed Six on the Peking to Paris (photo: Gerard Brown / Francesco Rastrelli) because it gathers the whole concept of living the speed, the experience, the loneliness, the comraderie, life in the fast lane and everything that comes with it. Just look at the faces of those two!!!

  243. Porsche 911 on the East African Safari Classic Rally (photo: McKlein Photography) Gets my vote for pic of the year, love the excitement of the African fans as the 911 barrels past….really shows what racing is all about, speed and adrenaline!

  250. Congratulations are in order to Gerard Brown for his great image of the 1954 Austin-Healey 100/4 leaping out of a sandpit on the Peking to Paris Motor Challenge – chosen as SCD’s best vintage racing photo of 2019.