I wanted the impression of speed. Using the blur-pan technique is a good way convey that. (Blur-pans are done using a slow shutter speed and moving the camera so that the main subject doesn't move in the viewfinder.)

Usually blur-pans are done with a telephoto from a position to the side of the motion. In this case I also wanted to make the viewer feel like he/she is in the action, so I put the camera just behind the shoulder of the driver using a tripod and gaffers tape (also, a 14mm lens and a half second shutter speed).

As you can see from how the specular highlights danced around his helmet, there was WAY too much vibration. Maybe having the drivers roll along at 1/10th of the normal speed would've worked.

Or I could've rented a gyroscopic stabilizer from a photo supply house in LA for about $400. (NOT!)

Such pictures CAN be done. Below is one from last summer.