BTCC Brands Hatch GP, Anyone going?

Hi Folks

I've been treated to a Ticket for the BTCC finale tomorrow and wondered if any of the Motorsports guys on here will be there?

Will be my first attempt at shooting Motorsports and obviously will only have "punter" access so none of the fantastic vantage points you guys have but any tips appreciated

Thinking I'll take DA 55-300 and tamron 17-50 and the monopod leg of my tripod, can't see much use for the 105 macro and I presume no point packing flash etc ?

According to the ticket I have Trackside lounge and a seat in the desire wilson grandstand, sounds quite a treat!

Hope to spot some Pentax, if you see a fat middle aged bloke with a ponytail and a k5 say hi

Regards

Pete A

Sorry, Pete - I've only just seen this and might be responding too late to be of much help.

The Desiré Wilson grandstand will be a nice spot to watch the racing, but it might not be a great deal of use for photography. It's adjacent to the pit straight, on the approach to the first turn (Paddock), and is behind a debris fence. If you're at the back you might be able to shoot over the top, or if you're right at the front you might be able to shoot through the fencing, but your best bets, to my mind would be:

A: The outside of Paddock Hill Bend. A 300mm is a little short, but will be OK for group shots and you can fire over the debris fencing. Note that you don't really need a monopod with the 55-300.

B: Druids, the hairpin beyond Paddock Hill Bend. There's a footbridge over the circuit that takes you to the inside, where there is no debris fencing. If you stay on the outside, there's a traditional Brands shot of cars coming up the hill and spectators can press lenses up against the fence. Shoot wide open and the fence should be completely invisible.

C: Stirlings, out on the countty. This is a longer walk - you have to head around the outside of Clark Curve, the final corner, then cross the bridge behind the medical centre and follow the road that runs adjacent to the track. On the GP circuit, you could stop just past the medical centre and try to shoot over/through the fence as cars come through Surtees, or carry on until you see a gap in the trees on the right. Turn here and after about 50 metres you'll probably find a clutch of people with everything from 18-200 zooms to 500mm f2.8s, all pointing towards the exit of Stirlings. There is no fencing here and you can also take a reasonable pan shot with trees as the main backdrop.

D: Hawthorns, deeper into the country. If you opt not to turn right towards Stirlings, you can continue along the road, adjacent to the track, until you reach Hawthorns, a quick, uphill right-hander. It's a long way from your trackside lounge, but is fence-free.

Again, I'm very sorry that I didn't see this earlier. Hope you enjoy the day.

I might pop along, but will make up my mind in the next half an hour.

Not to late at all. That's brilliant Thank you kindly. God job I'm in my walking boots

One more thing, Pete. If you're at Druids, you can walk across the bridge behind you (it crosses the track) and turn right (then left through the trees) for Stirlings, or left for Hawthorns.

Thanks again Simon

Took the first race at Hawthorns, second at Stirling and third in the rain at Druids. Had a really enjoyable day

What I learned is that I have a lot to learn, but that's part of the fun

Met a fellow who posts here but can't remember forum name of whom's K3 and DA* 60-250 I am very very jealous of

couple from the rain that kind of pass muster, don't think I have many keepers







Kind regards

Pete A

I didn't go in the end, Pete, because I had too much other stuff to deal with. I watched some of it on TV, though, and the light conditions seemed to vary from poor to awful. The fact you were panning at 3200 ISO says it all. In the circumstances, I think these two samples are both very good.

Glad you enjoyed it. If you want more practice, the British Superbike finale is at Brands Hatch this coming weekend, with the Formula Ford Festival (on the short circuit) one weekend later (tickets are cheapest if bought in advance via the circuit website).

Happy shooting, and I look forward to seeing future results.

Nice shots. I think the rain and lights adds to the excitement - well done.