World RX ‘Photo of the Year’ Result: Action Category

The votes have been counted, and it’s time to reveal the winner in the ‘Action’ element of our 2023 FIA World Rallycross Championship ‘Photo of the Year’ competition.

As ever, there was a very high standard of entries in the annual contest, and underscoring the depth and calibre of photographic talent working in the series, we have a new winner to celebrate in both categories.

Like in previous years, the end result is a combination of fan votes and expert input, with Michael Jurtin triumphing for the first time for his submission, Big City Thrills (above), which magnificently captures the essence and excitement of World RX’s inaugural city-centre event in Hong Kong last November.

“I’m really happy to win this competition at the end of my third season of covering the championship,” Jurtin remarked. “Big thanks to everybody who voted for my photo. For me, Big City Thrills is a really positive, energising image that sums up the spectacular nature of rallycross, framed by some incredible scenery and a large, enthusiastic crowd.

“Hong Kong was an amazing event and one that I enjoyed a lot. Going right into the heart of a city like that offers something different not only for drivers and spectators, but also for us photographers. It’s definitely a strong blueprint for future downtown races, which I hope to see more of in the years to come.”

Runner-up in the ‘Action’ battle was Petr Sulcik’s moody and dramatic shot of Sébastien Loeb leaping over Montalegre’s kerbs in his Lancia Delta Evo-e RX in A Hero’s Return (above). Tom Banks scooped third place for Blinding the Opposition (below), as Viktor Vranckx got a face-full of gravel and dust courtesy of a high-flying Isak Sjökvist in the FIA RX2e Championship at Höljes.

Highly-commended, meanwhile, and a fan favourite was Ricardo Soares’ British Airways, with the Portuguese photographer topping the public part of the vote for his picture-perfect photo of Steve Hill’s astonishing airborne moment at Montalegre.

The results of the ‘Portrait / Behind-the-Scenes’ category will be published tomorrow (15 February).