Darren Woolway - Photographer

Darren Woolway - Photographer Commercial Photographer based in Sheerness, Kent, specialising in Automotive & Product Photography.

Come visit my website for more of an idea of what I do http://www.darrenwoolway.co.uk

01/09/2026

STUCK IN THE MUD? NOT THIS TIME. šŸ’Ŗ

A long stretch of deep mud, unforgiving ruts and plenty of opportunities to get buried but this driver committed to the line and kept the momentum going from beginning to end.

Two winches were ready if needed. They werenā€™t.

Sometimes, full send means thereā€™s no need to winch. šŸ”„

The ARB branding certainly wasnā€™t difficult to spot on this run either!

Would you keep your foot down or play it safe and prepare the winch?

31/08/2026

There are ways to finish the Croatia Challengeā€¦ and then thereā€™s THIS. šŸ˜‚šŸ’Ø

Claudiu Pestean absolutely sent it through the final Special Test, disappearing out the other side in such a huge cloud of dust that none of us could even see his exit.

Just Claudiu. Full commitment. Thenā€¦ nothing. šŸ˜‚

It was a pretty spectacular way to bring his Croatia Challenge to an end ā€” and definitely one of those moments where being right next to the action pays off.

Well, sort of.

The crowd got covered. I got absolutely covered. My cameras got covered. And I was still picking little balls of Croatian dirt out of my hair HOURS later. šŸ¤¦ā€ā™‚ļøšŸ˜‚

But this is exactly why I love photographing extreme off-road motorsport.

You can plan your position, think about the light, protect the camera gear and try to predict what the driver is going to doā€¦

Then somebody like Claudiu comes through and reminds you that sometimes you just have to keep shooting and embrace the chaos. šŸ“ø

Would I stand there again knowing what was coming?

Absolutely. šŸ˜‚

What a way to finish the Special Test. šŸ‘

30/08/2026

ADVENTURE CLASS WINNERS!

Congratulations to Erik Kristančič and co-driver Anej Blažič, winners of the Adventure Class at the Croatia Challenge 2026!

This reel shows Erik attacking the final Special Test, a timed circuit race designed to give spectators one last opportunity to see the cars in action. After six demanding days of extreme off road racing, every second still mattered as the teams completed their final competitive run.

Winning the Croatia Challenge requires far more than speed. Erik and Anej had already battled through the Prologue, technical roadbook stages, deep mud, relentless winching, forest tracks and the Night Stage before arriving at the Special Test with the Adventure Class lead.

After winning two years ago and finishing third last year, they have fought their way back to the top of the podium in 2026.

A thoroughly deserved victory after an incredible week of driving, navigation, recovery and teamwork.

Congratulations, Erik and Anej. Adventure Class champions once again!

29/08/2026

Winch out of the mud. Then unleash everything for the climb.

This Challenge Class car first had to fight its way through a section of deep mud where traction had almost completely disappeared. With the tyres digging in and the vehicle refusing to move under its own power, it was time for the co driver to get out, connect the winch and pull the car onto firmer ground.

But reaching the bottom of the climb was only the beginning.

Once the winch line was clear, the driver committed to the steep sandy incline without stopping to attach it again. The engine roared, the tyres found just enough grip and the car smashed its way to the top under its own power.

That is what makes extreme off road racing so exciting. One moment requires patience, teamwork and careful winching. The next demands momentum, confidence and complete commitment from the driver.

Would you have attempted the climb without the winch, or attached the rope before setting off?

Follow for more extreme off road racing, Challenge Class action, technical recoveries and Croatia Challenge 2026 highlights.

29/08/2026

Day 6 of the Croatia Challenge 2026. The final day has arrived.

After five demanding days of extreme off road racing, deep mud, technical winching, steep forest climbs, roadbook stages and more than a few mechanical battles, everything comes down to todayā€™s Special Test.

The final challenge is a relatively simple circuit race designed to give spectators the best possible view of the action. Each car will start individually and complete a timed lap, giving every driver one final opportunity to push for the fastest possible result.

Based on the current standings, it looks as though Erik is leading the Adventure Class while Benoit is leading the Challenge Class. However, there is still one timed test remaining, so nothing should be taken for granted until every vehicle has crossed the finish line and the official results are confirmed.

Good luck to every driver and co driver competing today. After everything the teams and vehicles have endured this week, reaching the final day is already an achievement.

Now we are keeping our fingers crossed for exciting racing, a safe finish and no heavy rain like we experienced on the final day last year!

One final morning. One final test. Letā€™s finish the Croatia Challenge 2026 properly.

28/08/2026

Day 5 of the Croatia Challenge 2026 and today the teams take on Roadbook 4.
By this point in the event, both the competitors and their vehicles have already endured deep mud, steep climbs, technical winching sections, a circuit race and the night stage. Fatigue is beginning to build, but there is still plenty of extreme off road racing ahead.
In previous years, Day 5 would have brought us to the end of the competition. This year, however, the Croatia Challenge has been extended from five race days to six.
That means Roadbook 4 is not the finish. The teams will still face the Special Test tomorrow before the Croatia Challenge 2026 is complete.
I am heading back into the Croatian forest this morning to continue photographing and filming the action. At this stage, every mechanical problem, recovery and difficult decision could have a major effect on the final results.
I also want to give a big shout out to Aki and Team AXA, who are watching and following the event from home. It was great meeting you all in Germany, and hopefully we will see you at the Croatia Challenge again in the future.
Good luck to every driver and co driver taking on Roadbook 4 today. Letā€™s see what Day 5 brings.

27/08/2026

Two attempts. If you cannot make it, get the winch out.

That was the approach for this steep sandy climb at the Croatia Challenge. With loose ground, deep ruts and very little room to build momentum, getting a Challenge Class car to the top required commitment, traction and exactly the right line.

The first attempt did not quite make it.

On the second attempt, the driver gave it everything. The engine roared, the tyres fought for grip and the car powered its way up the incline without needing the winch.

The reaction from the spectators tells you everything!

Sometimes extreme off road racing is about patience and technical winching. Sometimes it is about selecting the right line, committing to the climb and letting the car enter beast mode.

Would you have attempted it for a second time or reached straight for the winch?

Follow for more extreme off road racing, Challenge Class action and Croatia Challenge 2026 highlights.

27/08/2026

Loadingā€¦ BEAST MODE.

This Challenge Class car absolutely smashed through one of the deepest and muddiest sections of the Croatia Challenge Circuit Race, throwing mud everywhere and making the entire obstacle look easy.

It powered through almost everything the Croatian forest could throw at itā€¦ only to get stuck just five metres from the exit ramp.

So close, yet still deep enough in the mud to need another recovery.

Would you reach for the winch or give it one more attempt with the throttle?

Follow for more extreme off road racing, Challenge Class 4x4 action and muddy moments from the Croatia Challenge 2026.

26/08/2026

Day 3 of the Croatia Challenge and I think God might have been telling me that I needed to get some sleep last night.

After another long day photographing and filming the extreme off road action, I returned to start backing everything up and editing the latest photographs and videos. Then I realised the extension lead I needed to power the laptop was still back at the pits.

At that point there was only one sensible option. Stop working and go to bed.

Perhaps it was a blessing in disguise because today is going to be another huge day at the Croatia Challenge 2026. We begin with the circuit race at the training ground, where the UTV, Adventure and Challenge classes will all be competing.

Then, once the daylight disappears, the teams head back into the Croatian forest for the Night Stage and Roadbook 2.

Photographing extreme off road motorsport during the day is challenging enough. At night, everything changes. Visibility becomes limited, the headlights cut through the darkness, the forest takes on a completely different atmosphere and capturing the action becomes far more technically demanding.

It should create some incredible opportunities for dramatic motorsport photography and video, but it is also going to mean a very long day and an even later night.

So todayā€™s essential equipment includes the Nikon cameras, plenty of batteries, memory cards and a serious amount of coffee.

Day 3, letā€™s do this.

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