Motorcross action from downunder

[dobs]

Hi here is acouple of photos of my son(257) at a recent motorcross. I am new to both photo posting and slr photography so any comment would be welcome. I am using a rebelxt/350d with the 17-85 is canon lense. I plan to upgade to a more sports orientated lense one day. Both photos were taken at 200 iso, 6.3 aperture, 1/640 - 800 shutter speed. Thanks.

[orlowskij]

I love the background in the second one.

[Mark Kemp]

Well captured action and a good eye for the moment, but take pictures from the 'sunny' side if you can possibly get there. Both of these look backlit and quite a bit of detail has been lost. The first one is very close up for a 55mm, I hope you were safe taking it.