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[LenAshburn]

Veteran Photog Ken Coles Passed April 10, 2010

Inducted into the Michigan Motor Sports Hall of Fame in 1987.

Veteran motorsports photographer Ken Coles, 78 of Michigan has quietly slipped from us after an illness which was not disclosed.

Ken Coles shot superb photos of race cars all of his life and is considered by some journalists as America's top racing photographer. As you read publications such as Open Wheel and Speed Age magazines, you will discover Coles'photos not only from the current scene but also racing pictures from back to the early sixties.

Ken developed into a racing fan in the Detroit area, attending such tracks as Motor city Speedway and others. Soon Coles was on the road following such groups as Tom Cherry's AARC as they ran their roadster circuit. It wasn't long before Ken became acquainted with the USAC drivers and began to follow their racing.

Since that time Ken Coles has developed not only a business relationship (selling action racing photos) with the worlds most prestigious race drivers, but has cemented a personal relationship with racers such as Parnelli Jones, AJ Foyt;, the Unsers, Mario Andretti, Jim Hurtubise, Jud Larson, Don Branson, Rick Mears, Jimmy Clark, Graham Hill, Richard Petty, Cale Yarborough, Bobby Allison, Darrell Waltrip and many others.

In addition to his action photos, Ken Coles developed a technique for hand painting his black and white photos and had his racing paintings hanging in every state of the union, plus Europe, Hong Kong, England, New Zealand and Australia. So, not only is Ken an outstanding racing photographer, but is really a racing artist.

Coles' Hall of Fame citation stated "There is something about the photos that Coles takes that is different from all other racing photographers. His photos are a work of art. Somehow he has a different perspective than all the other photographers."

Ken Coles was unique in that he was among the few racing photographers that made his living with race car photography.

According to his son Larry there will be no services at this time.

Rest in Peace Ken Coles
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Len in Indy