Seeing Red 2011 by Double Red |
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| Monday, 16 January 2012 10:21 | ||||
 It is that time of the year when the books and DVD’s start appearing that round up the year in whatever discipline the author may be in. It has to be said that most of these annual books are excellent, but one has started to stand out over the last few years mainly because of the stunning imagery.Once again Double Red photographers were at every round recording, not only some superb racing shots as you expect to see in the racing press, but some candid behind the shots scenes that only those with an ‘all-areas’ pass would be likely to get. But, even with such a pass it still takes skill to end up with an image that tells the story without words. But as you look through the 260 pages of high gloss art paper in this weighty hardback, you see real (photographic) skill along with that of the riders pictured, as you have done in the past three editions. Double Red of course have been involved in the domestic Superbikes series since 1989 (as well as many other motorcycle events) capturing the highs and lows, as well as providing images of what goes on behind the scenes and really know the subject inside out and backwards. With that experience there has been no need to change a winning formula and this latest year book follows the same format as those in the past. Firstly there is a chapter on the top ten riders followed by team profiles in Superbike and the EVO class. These are followed by a look behind the scenes at MSVR and some circuit maps before each round is covered in depth with a few words on the meeting by racing journalist Larry Carter backing up some stunning images. The book ends with a brief look at the other classes that run at the same meeting before a comprehensive results section ends the book. Unfortunately this year that is not quite true, as there is a tribute to three riders who lost their lives during the year before the cover closes in the season. As usual the quality of the presentation is as high as the images themselves and maintains the standards set by earlier editions which are combining to build into a historic record of BSB. No doubt in the future these books are going to be as sort after as the Motocourse annuals are and no doubt command similar high prices for mint versions. So, my advice is to buy them as they come out and save yourself some money, as well as making an investment for the future which can give you a great amount of pleasure in the meantime. Alternatively, just buy it to enjoy the race action and the lesson in how to make a camera really work. Published by Double Red at a modest £30.00 given the quality (and the fact that the price has not gone up for some years) it can be bought direct from them at www.doublered.co.uk ISBN 978 0 953 4420 8 9 Review by Ian Kerr
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