Sunrise at The Motor Enclave
This is part one of three from my weekend at the KelbyOne Summit.
It was still full dark when I arrived at The Motor Enclave in Tampa, Florida, a massive, 200-acre motorsport facility built on what used to be a dairy farm. It is a private automotive community, but it also has public driving experiences, events, and programming tied to the larger Tampa Bay scene. It’s a dedicated space for those who take driving seriously.
The track was designed by Hermann Tilke, the architect behind many Formula One circuits. The 1.72-mile track features 14 turns, subtle but impactful elevation changes, and a half mile straight where cars can reach speeds up to 165 mph. Thanks to the folks at KelbyOne, we had exclusive access to all of it…the track, the cars, and the drivers.
The Machine and the Light
The subject for the morning was a Radical. It’s a car designed purely for function, with a low, wide stance, aggressive downforce aerodynamics, and an open-cockpit with a complete lack of creature comforts. It’s built to go fast around corners, and everything else is secondary.
Early morning light is fleeting. You have a narrow window, maybe 45 minutes if you're lucky. This is where preparation pays off. The KelbyOne crew had already scouted the location, noting where the sun would rise on the horizon and how the shadows would fall across the track. The cars were positioned on a slight incline, allowing the light to hit the back of the racer and travel down the side.
Driver and Machine
A car like this doesn't drive itself. The relationship between the driver and the car is what makes motorsport compelling. It’s a partnership built on trust, skill, and a heaping dose of adrenaline.
The driver sits on his car, taking a moment to focus before climbing down into the cockpit. This pause allows the chance to connect with the person who will be making split-second decisions at triple-digit speeds.
Speed and Focus
Once the car is moving, the challenge shifts. It’s no longer about composing a static scene; it’s about conveying motion. Panning at slow shutter speeds is a game of margins. You want the background to blur into streaks of speed while keeping the car tack-sharp. It requires a steady hand, a smooth follow-through, and a lot of practice.
Shooting at these speeds means you are going to miss a lot of shots. You might get the pan perfectly smooth, but the focus is slightly off. Or the focus is sharp, but the framing is awkward. It’s a numbers game. You shoot in bursts, hoping that all the elements align for that one perfect frame. When they do, it’s incredibly satisfying.
As the Radical tore through the curves of the Hermann Tilke-designed track, The Motor Enclave provided the perfect backdrop. The track's modern architecture blurred into horizontal lines, emphasizing the sheer speed of the car.
Calling the Race
The shoot wraps when the light gets too harsh. The golden hour burns off, replaced by the flat, unforgiving glare of mid-morning. But for those few hours, we had the run of the place. The Motor Enclave is a unique facility, where driving is treated as both a skill and an experience.