Ultrace Düsseldorf marked a turning point for one of Europe’s most influential automotive culture events. For the first time in its history, Ultrace stepped outside Poland and into the industrial heart of Germany — and the result was nothing short of electric. The builds were sharper, the atmosphere heavier with passion, and the crowd a blend of dedicated enthusiasts from all corners of the continent. In the middle of it all was Estonia’s own motosport grand-old-photographer wheelsbywovka, capturing the raw energy, the obsessive craftsmanship, and the unforgettable moments that defined this year’s show.
THE MAN BEHIND THE CAMERA AND QUESTIONS
To understand the event from the inside, we turned to someone who doesn’t just attend shows — he documents their soul. Wheelsbywovka has been capturing automotive culture across Europe for years, and Ultrace Düsseldorf placed him right in the middle of a completely new environment. His perspective blends technical precision with an instinct for atmosphere, making him the perfect guide through this year’s shift from Poland to Germany. Before diving into his photos, we sat down with him to talk about the vibe, the builds, and what really made this edition of Ultrace stand out — and here’s what Wheelsbywovka had to say.
This was the first time Ultrace took place outside of Poland. What stood out to You the most about the event being hosted in Düsseldorf?
- The thing that stood out the most was the fact that all cars were arriving on trailers and there were no car meets, and car park hangs that I knew of. Ultrace definitely didn’t want to leave a bad impression on the German police force and the city of Düsseldorf
How would You describe the overall vibe on-site? Did the atmoshpere or organization feel different compared to previous Ultrace events in Poland?
- I would actually say that the atmosphere was on point, similar to the last couple of editions of Ultrace. The event flirted with motorsport, and a more cultural approach already in the past, here it just felt like the logical next step. Otherwise, similar music, discussions on stage, and low cars. It’s definitely not a stance festival, like it is in Poland. Here, I feel, Adrian and the team were allowed to dream big. That’s why in my opinion the event was called “Archived Dreams”.
Which car or build impressed you the most – and what made it stand out from the rest?
- First two days I couldn’t stop gazing at all the historic race cars, so actually only on the last day my brain adjusted and I could chill a bit and enjoy the true street cars. The car that scratched my heart a bit was the Jag. Jaguar XJS on airride suspension and BTS wheels that perfectly combined the classic BBS mesh with a cool star design. The stance looked especially cool at the back, where the side shotgun exhausts are placed.
Was there a project that completely surprised you? Something that did not look extraordinary in photos but was absolutely next level in real life?
- Plenty, but the BMW X5 Le Mans hits different when seeing it in person. When I just started reading car magazines, some 25 years ago, this X5 with an LMP1 V12 was right about there in the news cycle, conquering Nordschleife in less than 8 min (7m49s) At Ultrace, I got a chance to hear it rev, and it’s unbelievable.
From photographer’s perspective, how did Düsseldorf work as a shooting location? Better light, more space, new challenges? What was there better than Wroclaw events?
- I was sceptical at first, thought it would be a dark indoor space, but I was quickly proven wrong when I got to see it in person. Yeah, you can call the location underground-ish warehouse type, but the floors were smooth and reflective, not some typical Soviet-concrete factory floors we have in our part of the world. Huge windows on both the walls and roof provided plenty of natural light, and dope reflections/shades/glare depending on the time of day. And when it came to ‘night experience’, everything changed, and it looks like you’re shooting a new event with a completely different atmosphere, that’s closer to a Berlin techno club than a car show. The room with four Mercedes race cars basically had studio-light with huge soft boxes on top of each car – and as a bonus the changed colors and the power of light — it was really a dream scenario for videographers to be honest.
Did You meet any builders or owners who left a particularly strong impression on You – whether through their attitude, attention to detail or passion?
- As a photographer, I sometimes spend too much time on imagery and forget to chat with people. I did talk to Mike Burroughs for a bit, he’s eager to bring his F40 build for Gdansk-edition of Ultrace. That would be something to marvel at, wouldn’t it?
Did You spot any Estonian or Baltic builds at the event? If yes, how did they hold up in such a strong international lineup?
- I believe Evgeny Lavrinenko with his Porsche 997 was the only Estonian (and Baltic?) representative at the show. The classic vibe of his 911 was a bit of a standout — the show had a lot of Porsches on display, but most of them fell into the same neighbourhood of “low stance and BBS wheels”.
What was the most memorable moment for You during the event?
- Finding the “secret” room with HWA EVO installation on the setup day. I went searching for it with Severi Salmi (Finnish photographer dude), and we happened to be there alone, only sharing the space with the Mercedes restomod and a friendly mechanic from HWA. He showed us all the details of the car, interior, turned the light on, etc. So it definitely became a unique setup to explore a million-euro car.
Do You feel that Ultrace in Düsseldorf was a one-time experiment, or did it give You the sense that the event might become more international in the future?
- I feel that the event went really well for the organisers, so I would predict that we‘ll see more such experiments in the future.
If You had to choose one single photo that captures the energy of the entire event, which one would it be – and why?
- L..O..A..D..I..N..G
I would choose photo number 13 with the Toyota 92C-V. It was shot during the night experience, so it feels like the Le Mans Group C prototype standing in a nightclub full of people, and that is probably what the organisers were aiming for.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Ultrace Düsseldorf proved that even the most established events can evolve without losing their identity. The passion, the craftsmanship, and the community spirit that define Ultrace were all there — just amplified by a new city and a fresh atmosphere. Through WheelsbyVowka’s lens, the story of this year’s show becomes more than a collection of builds; it becomes a reminder of why this culture keeps growing, year after year. And if Düsseldorf was any indication, Ultrace’s future looks every bit as bold as the machines that roll through its gates.
Keep your hand on the throttle:
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