The Return of the Amateur Motorsport Photography Awards™
Get ready, amateur motorsport photographers — the stage is set for the Amateur Motorsport Photography Awards™ (AMPA) 2025, and this time we’re expanding the competition with TWO new categories, a truly expert judging panel and some awesome prizes, all with the aim of shining a spotlight on all the amateur motorsport photographers snapping away at motorsport events.
Launched by Trackside Focus® in 2024, the Amateur Motorsport Photography Awards™ are specifically geared towards non-professional photographers who shoot all sorts of motorsport. The idea: if you love motorsport, carry a camera, and want to show what you’ve captured - this is your platform.
Key Dates – Mark Your Calendar:
Opening date: Monday 3rd November 2025 at 10:00AM (submissions open).
Closing date: Sunday 30 November 2025 at 23:00.
Judging: Monday 15th December 2025.
Shortlist announced: Friday 19th December 2025.
Winners announced: January 2026.
Amateur Motorsport Photography Awards™ 2024 (AMPA) - Winning Image 2024 by Les Gawin.
Entry Fees – What It Costs
The entry fee structure is very straightforward and accessible:
One image: £10
Three images: £18
Five images: £25
There’s an incentive, too: if you attended a Trackside Focus® motorsport photography workshop in 2025 (or are booked for one in 2026), you’ll receive free entry.
Categories – Where Your Images Fit
This year there are five categories—with two brand‐new ones added for 2025:
On Track Action – Shots of speed, drama and motion happening on the circuit. UK locations only.
Portraits – Teams & People – The human side of motorsport: drivers, crews, spectators, personalities behind the scenes. UK only.
Pit Lane & Paddock – The backstage, the garage, the quieter moments that underpin the spectacle. UK only.
NEW for 2025 – Detail & Design – Close-ups and creative takes: liveries, craft, textures, engineering aesthetics. UK only.
NEW for 2025 – International Motorsport – Your images from international circuits/events, but taken by UK-based amateur photographers.
This broad spread means whether you’re focusing on the action, the people, behind the scenes or the design, there’s a category for you.
Amateur Motorsport Photography Awards™ 2024 (AMPA) - Runner-Up Image 2024 by Nicola Sim.
Why Enter? The Benefits:
Here are a few strong reasons to submit your work:
Recognition: There are plenty of photography competitions in general photography, but fewer focused solely on motorsport and amateur photographers only. This one gives you a dedicated platform to showcase your photography and gain recognition for your dedication and passion.
Exposure: Your images will be seen by a wider audience beyond your own social feed - both within motorsport and photography communities.
Challenge & Growth: Entering a competition forces selection, curation and thinking about what makes a “winning” image (composition, emotion, story).
Career / Portfolio: Even as an amateur you can build a portfolio, put “shortlisted” or “winner” on your CV, and that can open doors.
Support the Community: Your entry fee also supports a small, passionate operation that exists to support and encourage amateur motorsport photographers.
If you’ve got shots that you’re proud of - this is a strong opportunity to push them forward. Your images will be seen by industry judges, motorsport professionals and thousands of like-minded enthusiasts. Winning or being shortlisted can boost your confidence, validate your creative approach and even open doors to new experiences and opportunities.
Even if you don’t walk away as a winner on this occasion, the process of entering - editing your work, choosing your strongest images and seeing how your photography stands among peers is valuable in itself. It’s a chance to showcase your unique perspective of the motorsport world, tell your visual story and be part of a passionate community.
Tips to Make a Strong Entry
Select your best, not just your latest – go for images that tell a story, or evoke emotion, not just technically good.
Match your category – check that your shot fits the brief (e.g., UK only for most categories, international for the one category).
Technical clarity counts – despite being an amateur contest, judges will still look at composition, focus, exposure etc.
Be creative – especially in categories like Detail & Design; unusual angles and unique perspectives help.
Read the T&Cs – make sure you comply with the terms (amateur status, UK-based, image location, rights, etc).
Tick deadlines – 3 Nov opens, 30 Nov closes. Plan your entry so you’re not rushed.
Final Word
The Amateur Motorsport Photography Awards™ are more than just a competition - they’re a community moment. Whether you’re panning through Druids at Brands Hatch, catching the burst of speed through Maggots and Becketts at Silverstone, or framing the raw intensity of the Old Hairpin at Donington Park, every image tells a story of passion, precision, and the thrill of motorsport. From misty morning warm-ups to golden-hour finishes, it’s these moments that define the spirit of amateur motorsport photography.
If you’ve been quietly building your motorsport photography portfolio, this is the moment to hit submit. Set your reminders for Monday 3rd November at 10am. Get your files ready. And good luck!