Salt, gasoline and adrenaline

Men love beautiful, old cars – that is a well-known cliché. But why do men find car races so fascinating? The pictures taken by Johannes Huwe with a Leica MP and Kodak Tri-X film during the two days of Vintage Hot Rod races at Pendine Sands in Wales, answer this question once and for all.

Where did you get the idea of photographing the car races at Pendine Sands Beach?

I became aware of Pendine Sands in Wales because of my particular passion for unusual car races. I wanted to capture these unique guys with their cars that were all built before 1949. In addition, the place itself is historically interesting, because it was there that the legendary Bluebird set the world record at 235km/h already back in the 1920s.

One could be under the impression that your pictures were taken at the same time that the cars were built – in other words, before 1949. Was that why you chose Kodak Tri-X black and white film?

Right. The Tri-X’s 60th birthday was one of the reasons I decided to use this film. I knew that with the Tri-X and the appropriate lighting, I’d be able to get the vintage look I wanted.

You were at the starting line with a Leica MP and a Summicron-M 1:2/35mm…

The Leica MP is my standard camera, because I use film for 90 percent of my photography. The mechanics are very robust and it has never left me in the lurch – whether in the cold of the Antarctic or in what felt like 50 degree heat in a dusty salt lake in California. Because of my documentary way of seeing things, the 35mm lens is my optimal choice.

Have you ever driven one of the cars at Pendine Sands yourself?

No, unfortunately not. I do actually drive a 1954 old-timer, but I haven’t yet got behind the wheel at Pendine Sands.