Shooting MotoGP With No Pass
Sepang, Malaysia: Italian rider Marco Bezzecchi of the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team rounds turn 15 on his Ducati GP23 during the 2024 Petronas Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix at Sepang International Circuit.
Photo by Richard Humphries/cheekymoto.com
Through the Lens (and the Fence): Covering the Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix Without a Photo Pass
The Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix at Sepang International Circuit is a spectacle of roaring engines, screaming fans, and sun-drenched grandstands. For any motorsport enthusiast, it’s a bucket-list event, and for a photographer—especially one who doesn’t have a coveted photo pass—it’s a mix of sheer excitement, creative problem-solving, and the occasional existential crisis.
As a Malaysia-based motorcycle photographer, I’ve spent years documenting grassroots racing and semi-professional events. But nothing prepared me for the challenge of capturing the high-speed magic of MotoGP armed with nothing more than a general admission ticket and a telephoto lens. Spoiler alert: it was every bit as chaotic and exhilarating as it sounds.
6:00 AM: The Early Bird Gets... a Decent Seat?
I arrived at Sepang long before the sun rose, my camera bag slung over one shoulder and my trusty monopod doubling as a walking stick. The gates weren’t even open yet, but the queue was already buzzing with fans decked out in Rossi yellow, Marquez red, and the unmistakable green of Malaysian Moto3 sensation Syarifuddin Azman.
Without a photo pass, my game plan was simple: find the best vantage point in the general admission area and claim it like my life depended on it. After all, shooting from the grandstands meant dealing with fences, fans waving flags, and an entire day of jockeying for position.
8:00 AM: Securing the Spot
As soon as the gates opened, I sprinted—well, fast-walked, because running with a camera bag is a health hazard—toward the section near Turn 2. Sepang’s layout is a dream for spectators, with its sweeping corners and elevation changes, but for a photographer without the luxury of trackside access, the challenge was finding a spot where the action and angles aligned perfectly.
Turn 2 offered a mix of high-speed braking and tight overtakes, making it a prime location for dramatic shots. I staked my claim near the fence, armed with snacks, sunscreen, and a bottle of water that I prayed would last the day.
10:00 AM: Practice Makes Perfect (and a Bit of a Fool)
MotoGP practice sessions are the perfect warm-up—not just for the riders, but for photographers as well. The bikes screamed past at speeds that made my attempts at panning shots look like amateur hour.
The first few shots were a disaster. Blurry riders, overexposed skies, and a good chunk of the frame occupied by that accursed chain-link fence. I adjusted my settings, tightened my monopod, and decided to embrace the fence as an artistic element. By using a wide aperture (f/2.8), I managed to blur the fence into near-invisibility, creating a soft vignette effect that, if I squinted, looked intentional.
12:30 PM: The Weather Wars Begin
Sepang is famous for its unpredictable weather, and true to form, the sun gave way to dark clouds just as the Moto2 practice session wrapped up. When the rain arrived, it didn’t trickle—it poured.
Without a press tent to retreat to, I improvised, wrapping my camera in a plastic bag and seeking shelter under the grandstand. The rain turned the track into a slick, reflective canvas, and while I was drenched, the riders powered on, creating dramatic rooster tails of spray that begged to be photographed.
2:00 PM: Moto3 Chaos
Moto3 races are pure, unfiltered chaos. With riders bunched together in a high-speed ballet of overtakes and slipstreams, the action was relentless. From my vantage point, I could see their knee sliders grazing the tarmac, their brightly colored helmets popping against the gray backdrop of the wet track.
A particularly close battle at Turn 2 saw three riders going side-by-side into the corner. My shutter clicked furiously, capturing the tense moment as one rider’s rear wheel slid out ever so slightly before he recovered in a move that had the crowd roaring in approval.
3:30 PM: The King of Corners
For MotoGP, I decided to reposition myself near Turn 15, the final corner before the main straight. This spot offered a chance to capture riders at their most dramatic, leaning into the corner with their machines practically defying gravity.
The challenge here was the sheer speed at which they exited the turn. My telephoto lens barely kept up, and my arms started to ache from the constant tracking. Still, persistence paid off, and I managed to snag a shot of Fabio Quartararo mid-lean, the Yamaha logo perfectly sharp against a backdrop of blurred tarmac and streaks of spray.
5:00 PM: The Fan Factor
One of the joys (and occasional headaches) of shooting from the grandstands is the fans. They’re passionate, loud, and occasionally oblivious to the fact that their flags block your shot.
At one point, a group of Marquez superfans decided to wave a massive banner just as Pecco Bagnaia came into view. While I missed the shot, the frustration melted away when I saw their sheer joy as Marc waved at the crowd during his cool-down lap. Sometimes, it’s not about the photo—it’s about the shared experience.
6:30 PM: Sunset and the Afterglow
As the day wound down, the golden hour bathed Sepang in a warm, orange glow. The post-race celebrations provided some of the most candid and heartfelt moments. Riders hugged their teams, fans cheered with unbridled enthusiasm, and I caught a shot of a young boy hoisting a miniature MotoGP flag, his eyes wide with wonder.
Sepang, Malaysia: The vendors and food stalls provide excellent opportunities for storytelling. The scent of satay grilling on open flames and the vibrant array of Malaysian street food bring life to your shots, showcasing the local culture that intertwines seamlessly with the global phenomenon of MotoGP.
Photos by Richard Humphries/cheekymoto.com
Sepang, Malaysia: Malaysian motorcycle racing fans walk past a giant poster as they arrive at Sepang International Circuit for the 2024 Petronas Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix.
Photo by Richard Humphries/cheekymoto.com
Sepang, Malaysia: Just some of the hunderds of bikes that filled the parking areas of the Petronas Malaysia Motorcycle Grand prix and Sepang International Circuit. Fans and spectators travel from all over Malaysia to attend the event.
Photo by Richard Humphries/cheekymoto.com
Sepang, Malaysia: Motorcycle racing fans fill the grandstands with the live broadcast helicopter hovering above at Sepang International Circuit during the 2024 Petronas Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix.
Photo by Richard Humphries/cheekymoto.com
Sepang, Malaysia: MotoGP riders form up on the grid before the start of the 2024 Petronas Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix at Sepang International Circuit.
Photo by Richard Humphries/cheekymoto.com
Sepang, Malaysia: The MotoGP pack tips hard into turn one at the start of the Petronas Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit.
Photo by Richard Humphries/cheekymoto.com
Sepang, Malaysia: The MotoGP pack is led through turn 5 by Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia of the Ducati Lenovo Team and Jorge Martin of Prima Pramac Ducacti Team at the 2024 Petronas Malaysia Motorcycle Grand prix at Sepang International Circuit.
Photo by Richard Humphries/cheekymoto.com
Sepang, Malaysia: Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia of the Ducati Lenovo Team and Jorge Martin of Prima Pramac Ducacti Team lead the field at the 2024 Petronas Malaysia Motorcycle Grand prix at Sepang International Circuit.
Photo by Richard Humphries/cheekymoto.com
Sepang, Malaysia: Spanish MotoGP rider and former World Champion Joan Mir of the HRC Honda Repsol Team brings his Honda RC213V through turn 15 in the closing laps of the 2024 Petronas Malaysia Motorcycle Grand prix at Sepang International Circuit.
Photo by Richard Humphries/cheekymoto.com
Sepang, Malaysia: French MotoGP rider and former World Champion Fabio Quatararo of the Yamaha Monster Energy Team brakes hard on his Yamaha M1 into turn 15 at the 2024 Petronas Malaysia Motorcycle Grand prix at Sepang International Circuit.
Photo by Richard Humphries/cheekymoto.com
Sepang, Malaysia: MotoGP World Champion Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia of the Ducati Lenovo Team pulls away from the field into turn 8 at the 2024 Petronas Malaysia Motorcycle Grand prix at Sepang International Circuit.
Photo by Richard Humphries/cheekymoto.com
Sepang, Malaysia: MotoGP World Champion Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia of the Ducati Lenovo Team crosses the finish line to win at the 2024 Petronas Malaysia Motorcycle Grand prix at Sepang International Circuit.
Photo by Richard Humphries/cheekymoto.com
Sepang, Malaysia: MotoGP World Champion Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia of the Ducati Lenovo Team celebrates his win on the podium at the 2024 Petronas Malaysia Motorcycle Grand prix at Sepang International Circuit.
Photo by Richard Humphries/cheekymoto.com
Sepang, Malaysia: Fan’s celebrate MotoGP World Champion Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia of the Ducati Lenovo Teams’ victory at the 2024 Petronas Malaysia Motorcycle Grand prix at Sepang International Circuit.
Photo by Richard Humphries/cheekymoto.com
Capturing the Atmosphere
MotoGP isn’t just about the bikes—it’s about the fans, the vendors, and the sheer buzz of the event. Between sessions, I turned my lens to the crowd. I caught kids perched on their parents' shoulders, waving miniature flags, and die-hard fans passionately arguing over lap times.
The food stalls were another treasure trove of photographic gold. The smell of satay wafted through the air, and I couldn’t resist snapping a shot of a vendor flipping skewers over open flames. (Okay, I also couldn’t resist buying some satay, but that’s beside the point.)
There was even a moment of serendipity when a group of fans posed for a photo with their homemade Ducati banner. Seeing my camera, they beckoned me over, shouting, "Take one for Instagram, bro!" I obliged, capturing their exuberant grins and the banner flapping in the wind.
Lessons Learned (and Laughed At)
Preparation is Key (But So Is Improvisation): Without a photo pass, you’re at the mercy of the crowd and the weather. Pack light, stay flexible, and don’t be afraid to think outside the box (or fence).
The Fence is Not Your Enemy: Learn to work with the obstacles in your environment. That fence can be a creative element if you play with depth of field and composition.
Embrace the Chaos: Shooting from the grandstands means competing with fans, flags, and the occasional flying cup of soda. Roll with it—it’s part of the experience.
It’s About More Than Just the Bikes: Some of my favorite shots weren’t of the races themselves, but of the fans, the teams, and the moments in between.
Final Thoughts
Photographing the Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix at Sepang International Circuit without a photo pass was a humbling yet rewarding experience. It reminded me that you don’t need exclusive access to capture the heart and soul of an event.
As a Malaysia-based motorcycle photographer, I’ve learned to adapt, embrace the unexpected, and find joy in the challenges. Sure, I didn’t get the coveted trackside shots, but what I did get was a day filled with laughter, excitement, and the thrill of motorsport from a fan’s perspective.
And isn’t that what photography is all about? Capturing not just the action, but the spirit of the moment—even if it means dodging rain, fences, and the occasional overly enthusiastic flag.
Would I do it again? Absolutely. Would I pack a bigger umbrella? Without a doubt.
