Whilst screaming at the television during the Lemans 24hr three weeks ago, watching Andre Lotterer tactfully win in the Audi, I realised the reason for my screaming is that I really wanted to be there, be in that pit lane, photographing all the action. For I love the drama of all the mechanics, drivers, crew all working together making the team as best it can, always ready for the driver to drop in and fly out.

I come from a costume making family, spending many a night doing my homework in the dressing rooms of Shaftsbury Avenue, I love the camaraderie of the performance, of the thrill of being near the performer, the theatricality of the race. I loved seeing the actor fly in for a costume change and glide out with a new gravitas.

I am invisible to the subject, I melt into the background

I began my photographic career shooting dance, then theatre, now motorsport. However for me, I am happiest scouring the pit lane for the action to appear in front of me. I have a Leica M Kit, the range finder 'shoot from the hip' approach, I am invisible to the subject, I melt into the background and am disguised by the roar of the engines and the beams of the headlights. I come out at night, secretly and sneakily stealing the scenes.

Addicted to taking photos

I am not sure when I realised that I am rather addicted to taking photos of this sort, but I can proudly stand up and say that I am: "I am Lara Platman and I am an endurance race motorsport photographer."

Oh I love shooting a good scene, perhaps it is a static subject, but for me the thrill is the capture of a movement, my dance training has infused that into me, the challenge of freezing that moment that the naked eye would not normally realise, where only the 'film' would allow you to see the secret.

Hitching a ride

So next on the motor racing endurance calendar is the Total SPA 24 Hour and I need to be there. I have been asked to be there by the magazine I contribute to, but only if I am there already!

I am looking to hitch a ride with a team who is racing at Spa and in return I can provide a portfolio of photographs of their team during the race - pits only - I very rarely go trackside... I leave that to the 'zoom' boys.

Why do I want to photograph this? Well why do you want to race? Or watch the race?!

So I ask if anyone out there is in a team racing, or knows of a team that is racing, please please contact me to stop me from going cold turkey.

For further images please see laraplatman.photoshelter.com