Why the trees in Tasmania grow so tall

When you shoot a motorsport event in Tasmania in the middle of winter you have to be prepared for some inclement weather. When that event is held in the wild and remote area surrounding the delightfully named Savage River and also in the dense rainforest of Hellyer Gorge it is almost inevitable. Last weekends Rallye Burnie explained just why the trees in Tasmania grow so tall. Rallye Burnie is a 2 day tarmac event held on closed public roads in the beautiful north west of Tasmania. A small but competitive field brought out all the usual suspects like Jim Richards, Jason White and ex V8 supercar driver Tony Longhurst.


Day 1 was wet, wet, wet ( good name for a band ? ). For Jim Richards to be leading at the end of the day was a testament to his supreme driving skills. Competing in his old 2wd Porsche 944, which he brought out of retirement as his new 4wd hadn't arrived from Germany in time, the old master showed everyone why he is held in such respect. Jason White had a weekend to forget as he crashed on the same corner as last year and caused serious damage to his uncle John's Lamborghini Gallardo forcing their withdrawal. After spending all day in wet weather gear, sheltering under an umbrella tucked into my photovest I was glad when the day was over so I could dry my feet off !


Day 2 and we were in the spectacular Hellyer Gorge, but thankfully Nick's wife Robyn kept us topped up with hot coffee all day as conditions didn't improve for either the photographers or drivers. Hellyer Gorge is a tight, twisty and slippery piece of road that makes for some testing conditions. As ever my most important piece of photographic equipment proved to me my big golfing umbrella that I seemed to spend all day under. Jim continued to lead until the final stage of the day when David Catchpole in his 4WD Mitsubishi Evo took the lead and thus the event win.


As you read this my wet weather gear, boots, camera bag and cameras are all still drying out. But when I think back to when I was standing on the bridge over the Hellyer River and these cars are shooting past at high speed only inches away and then look at all the great shots I got it was definitely worthwhile. Congratulations on your win, David, it was tough out there for all of us !