Bangers Rules

Belgium, France, 2012–2013 · 33 photographs

Banger racing in Belgium and France: old cars, crowds and crashes on weekend dirt tracks.

The unbearable noise of old engines roaring, the smell of oil, gasoline and burned tires, scorching heat. Ringing in the ears, the head turns… And then, suddenly, everything stops in a crash of crunching metal. A dead silence for a few seconds… Then the noise again. At first, the noise of an old car struggling to start its engine again, followed by crowd cheering the hero of the day. A Ben Hur for modern times… The only driver still in motion between dozens of car wrecks. The gates open and the spectators run onto the “Speedway” track to help the drivers to get out of their smoking cars and to carry the winner of the day in triumph. Kids jump on the car wrecks trying, with huge smiles, to break what can still be broken. “Full destruction” is the culmination of a day of racing during which amateur Banger drivers will push themselves to the limit by multiplying laps at breakneck speed and making vigorous contact with their opponents for several hours.

Bangers Rules, Belgium, France. Photograph 2 of 33 by Thomas Van Den Driessche

Bangers Rules, Belgium, France. Photograph 3 of 33 by Thomas Van Den Driessche

Bangers Rules, Belgium, France. Photograph 4 of 33 by Thomas Van Den Driessche

Bangers Rules, Belgium, France. Photograph 5 of 33 by Thomas Van Den Driessche

Bangers Rules, Belgium, France. Photograph 6 of 33 by Thomas Van Den Driessche

Bangers Rules, Belgium, France. Photograph 7 of 33 by Thomas Van Den Driessche

Bangers Rules, Belgium, France. Photograph 8 of 33 by Thomas Van Den Driessche

Bangers Rules, Belgium, France. Photograph 9 of 33 by Thomas Van Den Driessche

Bangers Rules, Belgium, France. Photograph 10 of 33 by Thomas Van Den Driessche

Bangers Rules, Belgium, France. Photograph 11 of 33 by Thomas Van Den Driessche

Bangers Rules, Belgium, France. Photograph 12 of 33 by Thomas Van Den Driessche

Bangers Rules, Belgium, France. Photograph 13 of 33 by Thomas Van Den Driessche

Bangers Rules, Belgium, France. Photograph 14 of 33 by Thomas Van Den Driessche

Bangers Rules, Belgium, France. Photograph 15 of 33 by Thomas Van Den Driessche

Bangers Rules, Belgium, France. Photograph 16 of 33 by Thomas Van Den Driessche

Bangers Rules, Belgium, France. Photograph 17 of 33 by Thomas Van Den Driessche

Bangers Rules, Belgium, France. Photograph 18 of 33 by Thomas Van Den Driessche

Bangers Rules, Belgium, France. Photograph 19 of 33 by Thomas Van Den Driessche

Bangers Rules, Belgium, France. Photograph 20 of 33 by Thomas Van Den Driessche

Bangers Rules, Belgium, France. Photograph 21 of 33 by Thomas Van Den Driessche

Bangers Rules, Belgium, France. Photograph 22 of 33 by Thomas Van Den Driessche

Bangers Rules, Belgium, France. Photograph 23 of 33 by Thomas Van Den Driessche

Bangers Rules, Belgium, France. Photograph 24 of 33 by Thomas Van Den Driessche

Bangers Rules, Belgium, France. Photograph 25 of 33 by Thomas Van Den Driessche

Bangers Rules, Belgium, France. Photograph 26 of 33 by Thomas Van Den Driessche

Bangers Rules, Belgium, France. Photograph 27 of 33 by Thomas Van Den Driessche

Bangers Rules, Belgium, France. Photograph 28 of 33 by Thomas Van Den Driessche

Bangers Rules, Belgium, France. Photograph 29 of 33 by Thomas Van Den Driessche

Bangers Rules, Belgium, France. Photograph 30 of 33 by Thomas Van Den Driessche

Bangers Rules, Belgium, France. Photograph 31 of 33 by Thomas Van Den Driessche

Bangers Rules, Belgium, France. Photograph 32 of 33 by Thomas Van Den Driessche

Bangers Rules, Belgium, France. Photograph 33 of 33 by Thomas Van Den Driessche

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Personal Works / Bangers Rules — Belgium, France, 2012–2013

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