Every trip to India is special in its own way. The colors, the chaos, the culture – all unforgettable. But what truly makes each journey extraordinary are the people, my friends. The hospitality of people in India is truly something special. And that is one of the things that keeps bringing me back whenever the opportunity arises.
This time, the reason was the second edition of Red Bull Moto Jam, a one-of-a-kind motorsport spectacle that delivered an immersive and thrilling experience for fans in India.
For some photographers, the clouds of smoke, dust, and constant noise might feel overwhelming. For me, it is quite the opposite. I look forward to that chaotic atmosphere, knowing how spectacular those elements will appear through the lens. Smoke, drifting dust, and the raw energy of motorsport create the kind of visual drama that makes action photography truly come alive.
The festival brought together a wide range of motorsport disciplines and featured several athletes from the Red Bull family showcasing their skills.
One of the biggest stars on the track was Visa Cash App Racing Bulls’ F1 driver Arvid Lindblad, who drove Sebastian Vettel’s 2012 World Championship–winning RB8, presented in VCARB livery. Lindblad, the third Formula One driver with Indian heritage, returned to India just a week before his F1 debut to perform for fans at the India Expo Centre in Noida, located in Delhi NCR, a region that previously hosted three Formula One Grands Prix.
As part of the Red Bull Moto Jam celebration, the VCARB-branded RB8 also marked the occasion of Holi, India’s famous festival of colors, which took place on March 3. Continuing a tradition established during previous Red Bull showruns in India, the car released clouds of coloured powder (gulal) into the air, creating a spectacular visual tribute to the local celebration.
Interestingly, it was Sebastian Vettel himself who won the last Indian Grand Prix in that very car.
Ahead of the event, former Formula One driver Karun Chandhok returned the VCARB-branded RB8 to the Buddh International Circuit for a showcase run, marking the first time in 13 years that an F1 car had driven on the track.
The action did not stop there. Lithuanian stunt rider Aras Gibieza, one of the most renowned names in stunt biking, thrilled the crowd with his precise and daring performance.
The audience also witnessed the mastery of Abdo Feghali, the Lebanese drifting champion who holds a Guinness World Record for the longest continuous vehicle drift.
Global stunt rider Abdulrahman Ahmed Alraeesi impressed spectators with spectacular drifting maneuvers and his signature side-wheel riding.
Meanwhile, Greg Rowbottom, Sebastian Westberg, and Roman Karimov delivered breathtaking FMX action, launching their bikes high into the air while performing gravity-defying tricks.
And because this is India, a place that never stops surprising, the crowd also witnessed something truly unexpected: a tractor performing incredible tricks alongside the high-performance machines.
Having motorsport in front of my lens is always a pleasure. Events like this, where action unfolds all around you and the air fills with smoke and dust, create the perfect natural special effects to highlight the intensity and drama of the moment.
INSIDE THE PHOTOSHOOT WITH PREDRAG VUCKOVIC
When it comes to motorsports photography, Predrag Vuckovic brings a level of experience built over years of working at the highest levels of the sport. His portfolio includes drifting championships and shows, Red Bull F1 Showruns, Formula One races, and world-class FMX events such as Red Bull X-Fighters.
This experience allows him to read the dynamics of motorsport almost instinctively. Understanding the disciplines, the athletes, and the limits of what their machines can do enables him to anticipate key moments before they happen and position himself exactly where the action will unfold.
Equally important is his ability to use the environment as part of the visual story. Smoke, dust, sparks, and motion are never obstacles, they are elements that Vuckovic deliberately incorporates into his compositions, amplifying the energy, atmosphere, and raw intensity of motorsport events.
Equipment used for this project
Cameras: 2 x Nikon Z9 cameras, 1 x Nikon Z7 II camera
Lenses: 180-600mm f5.6, 70-200mm f2.8, 35mm f1.2, 50mm f1.2, 14-24mm f2.8, 24-70mm f2.8
Additional equipment:
1 bandana as a face cover to protect from the dust 🙂 🙂
In the world of motorsport, where everything happens in fractions of a second, skills and instincts that Predrag Vuckovic has is what separates a good photograph from the one that truly defines the moment.