Photographic Exhibition by Jon Nicholson

“I need to find it; I need to see it and I need to share it.

The only way for me is to photograph it and show people exactly what I see in a very simple, but in a uniquely captivating way.”

An exhibition of photography by Jon Nicholson at Connolly, showcasing his narrative vision from the unparalleled access of Formula 1 legends to the hidden world of Banger racing. Both worlds share a common passion but are driven by two very different dynamics, one professional and the other amateur; yet seen through Jon’s eye the shared excitement and danger and sense of community is evident.

With a career spanning four decades, Jon began his passion by combining his two interests in life at the time: photography and windsurfing. The fascination of these two hobbies instigated both a lifelong profession and obsession of capturing intriguing imagery and their hidden narrative. After 10 years covering a wide variety of sports and events for ALLSPORT Photo Agency, The Sunday Times, The Observer, The Guardian, The Mail on Sunday, Paris Match, Stern and The LA Times, in 1993 Jon entered the world of Grand Prix racing. He has documented life both on and off the track for influential motorsport figures such as Damon Hill, Eddie Jordan and both Jackie & Paul Stewart. Jon also had first insight into numerous F1 teams including Williams-Renault, Jordan, Stewart, Ferrari and McLaren.

– Isabel Ettedgui

In 2023, I visited King’s Lynn to photograph a ‘Banger’ race for my book Macchina, and I vowed to come back. I knew there was a story to tell. This year, I returned to document one group of racers at the arenas and in their workshops. They began to accept me and embraced the project—though first, I had to establish trust, and then I had to keep them engaged. The only way to do that was to be completely honest. 
So when someone asked, “Why do you want to photograph us pikeys?” The reply was simple: “My life is different to yours, and I want to learn about yours—and show people that, deep down, there really is no difference between us.” A few weeks later, they sprayed my name on their car—Visit Jon Nicholson Photography—a sign of total acceptance. Banger racing is a family affair, with young kids getting stuck in and learning. The race meetings are big gatherings; BBQs on the back of flatbed trucks heighten a prevailing and welcome sense of camaraderie.

The pictures, in one sense, have a timelessness—you could question which decade they were taken in. Yet they’re very much images of now, of a particular moment, and everything that implies. Every weekend—and on some weekdays—from January to November, they race bangers. They smash their cars to pieces in the most dramatic way. They’re grassroots, passionate people. The work is all shot on black-and-white film, giving it a gritty feel and reflecting a wider sense of frustration—if not a national malaise. These photographs resonate far beyond a simple racetrack. It’s not about sport.

- Jon Nicholson