Both Sunderland sets are terrific, Alan, and don't look as though they were taken by an air-show tyro.

I particularly like all of them...

There are mixed emotions after the weekend just past. The Silverstone Classic has become a vast event, with lots to see and watch, but this year it was marred by the death of veteran racer Denis Welch, whose Lotus 18 overturned when he became caught up in a multiple accident during the second race for Pre '66 grand prix cars. Quick and spectacular in equal measure, he'd been part of the sport's fabric for as long as I can remember and will sorely be missed. I'll skip the flippant captions this time, but here are a few from earlier in the weekend.


1 - K-5 IIs, Sigma 100-300mm f4


2 - K-5 IIs, Sigma 100-300mm f4


3 - K-5 IIs, Sigma 100-300mm f4


4 - K-5, DA 17-70mm f4 and a bit of needlework in PS Elements 12


5 - K-5 IIs, Sigma 100-300mm f4


6 - K-5 IIs, Sigma 100-300mm f4


7 - K-5 IIs, Sigma 100-300mm f4


8 - K-5 IIs, Sigma 100-300mm f4


9 - K-5 IIs, Sigma 100-300mm f4


10 - And finally, not from Silverstone but a shot from earlier this year at Thruxton - the late Denis Welch as he will be remembered, pressing on with great vigour (this time in a Jensen 541R)

I went for the 'diet' breakfast, Mike, as lunch options tend to be limited to chip butties, sausage and chips and other such healthy delicacies (although I walked a mile or three during the day, which helps).

Fair point about the flatness of #4, the Anglia shot. The car is bright green and looks nice in colour, but - as often with older cars driven by people in open-faced helmets - I did a mono conversion, then added a slight sepia tint in an effort to make it look like a washed-out '60s original.

Here is said Anglia in its natural lime...

Nice to return to one of the country's friendliest venues as it gets back into its stride following a winter of discontent/management changes and so on. By the time the mess was sorted, there was scope to arrange only one car meeting this summer (and little excuse not to attend)...


1 - The advantage of arriving early, yours for a fiver (K-5, DA35mm f2.4)


2 - Sausages weren't the only things cooking (K-5 IIs, Sigma 100-300mm f4)


3 - Focal length: 83mm. I suppose I could get closer, but... (K-5, Sigma 50-150)


4 - Much better than the Harry Potter version (K-5 IIs, Sigma 100-300mm f4)


5 - Once a staple of British race meetings, Modified Sports Cars and Special Saloons died out during the 1980s, but have recently been revived and there is a growing wave of support. No fewer than 31 cars turned up at Mallory - and several others are being prepared. Here are a few... (K-5 IIs, Sigma 100-300mm f4)


6 - This was almost as wide as Mallory (K-5 IIs, Sigma 100-300mm f4)


7 - Leicestershire's sweeping landscape (K-5 IIs, Sigma 100-300mm f4)


8 - Primed for action (K-5, DA17-70mm f4, four shots stitched together)


9 - Running rich (K-5, Sigma 50-150mm f2.8 at 1/160)

Yet another motorsport album is almost certainly looming, as I'm working at a racetrack tomorrow (and if anybody is in the vicinity of Mallory Park, please drop in). In the interim, here a few recent snaps from a different type of park...


1


2


3


4


5


6


7


8


9

These all look top notch, Mike - a really nice set.

I'm just sick of never seeing kingfishers within photographic range.

Another superb shot, Alan.

Pleased to hear that Pentax is gaining a broader trackside footprint. Well done - and best of luck with future commissions. I look forward to seeing the results.

I know, I know... Somebody primes an engine and I dash off to record the event. Not a great deal of originality here, but you might spot a few nice racing bygones.


1- "Now where is he?" (Sigma 100-300mm f4, K-5 IIs)


2 - Goliath? Meet David... (Sigma 100-300mm f4, K-5 IIs)


3 - Veteran Ian Flux predicts that he'll finish second in his fourth race of the weekend. He did, too (Sigma 50-150mm f2.8, K-5)


4 - Guerrillas in the mist (Sigma 100-300mm f4, K-5 IIs)


5 "Take it from me, it's definitely quicker on the grey bit..." (Sigma 50-150mm f2.8, K-5)


6 - Sigma 50-150mm f2.8 & K-5 at 1/100


7 - Once more unto the beach (Sigma 100-300mm f4, K-5 IIs)


8 - Sunshine after the rain (Sigma 100-300mm f4, K-5 IIs)


9 - Optimist (Sigma 100-300mm f4, K-5 IIs)


10 - Yesterday once more (Sigma 100-300mm f4, K-5 IIs)

Some very good stuff there, Mike, a persuasive reason to browse wildlifetrusts.org...