O BROTHER

PHOTOGRAPHER: Dirk Klynsmith
PHOTO: O Brother


“I had been shooting the Australian Grand Prix since 1993 and from 1997 I was supplying Sutton Images. In all my years of motorsport photography I had not even seen a big crash let alone shot one. In Melbourne my job was always Turn 1 so in 2002 I did it a bit differently and managed to access the massive corporate stand there. I wanted the elevated spot looking down as the drivers turned for the first time. Then it all went wild; Ralf Schumacher flying through the air and the added bonus is his brother Michael looking up at his brother (or was it me?). I am known for my creative and 'art' images and not getting crashes, so it is with some irony that the image I have provided for this auction is OF A CRASH and my most spectacular crash in 32 years of photography.”



ABOUT DIRK KLYNSMITH
Dirk Klynsmith started photography at age 14. Using money earnt doing paper runs, boundary umpiring and mowing lawns he purchased his first camera, a Zenith SLR, and not long after, a 500mm lens by mail order. He ran the camera club at school back in the day of film and had the job of maintaining all the gear to develop film and produce prints; at one stage converting his own bedroom into a darkroom. In his last year of high school he had his first images published in the local paper (the Hamilton Spectator) and soon after won his first photography award.

His career in motorsport photography began in 1991 when a chance meeting with a Superkart driver saw him invited to bring his camera gear (now a Canon, a 20-35mm lens, 100-300mm lens and a 300mm lens) to the local track. From his first ever meeting he sold images, and in a lovely bit of serendipity one of them was friends of Chris Lambden who happened to be starting a magazine (Motorsport News) and that is when his career really took off.

Since then, Dirk has worked for many magazines, agencies, drivers, teams, categories and manufacturers including Holden, Audi, Mercedes and BMW. As a hired gun for Sutton Images, Dirk shot Formula 1 locally and internationally as well as high-profile events like the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

While a highly regarded motorsport shooter, Dirk has photographed many other sports including field hockey, rugby, golf and cricket, but his “greatest love” is shooting nature/bird photography for which he is also internationally regarded and rewarded. Dirk has won several industry awards from Supercars and Motorsport Australia, and on retirement at his last event at the Bathurst 1000 in 2023 he was inducted into the Supercars Media Hall of Fame.

The inaugural PIRTEK Legends Night charity auction is being held at the JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort and Spa on Friday, October 25, 2024.

100% of proceeds from all auction items will be donated to Motorsport Ministries, who do an amazing job supporting the motorsport industry at all levels in Australia.

This has been made possible by the generosity of the people and businesses that have donated the incredible list of items, and by Lloyds generous “premium-free” support of the event.

This on-line auction will go live from the dinner at the JW Marriott ballroom and will be simulcast on-line by Lloyds Auctions.

The PIRTEK Legends Dinner will pay tribute to Australian Touring Car Legend Dick Johnson, who will be in attendance on the night, along with several other heroes of Australian motorsport.

If you would like the chance to attend the event live you can purchase a ticket HERE:
https://tickets.goldcoasttickets.com.au/outlet/event/c0ece175-d02d-4938-bd79-bf1478b385d4

Location of item: QLD, Australia

This item is being offered PICK UP ONLY. Local collection is available, if shipping is required, bidders are encouraged to organise their own freight.