Again, thanks to all for a volley of kind words.

@George: Yes, Cadwell is a wonderful track - albeit one that I visit relatively infrequently. I need to alter my habits (and it's great for bikes, too). Some of these shots were possible only through the unfair advantage of a media tabard, but of the action shots nos 2, 5 & 9 would all be achievable from public areas - as would several other angles that don't feature here.

@Mike: Hopefully our paths will cross at some point. I attended the Thruxton BTCC meeting in May and will probably manage at least one more before the season is out.

This weekend, the Cholmondeley Pageant of Power beckons...

I like all of these, Mike - lovely timing and some great compositions. I see the Red Arrows from time to time, but usually against a miserable background and with Silverstone radio masts cluttering the skyscape. The conditions here look absolutely ideal and you've made the most of them by doing the difficult bits so well.

Thanks, chaps.

I don't mind shooting in the wet - and rub my hands if it rains at some circuits (particularly those with long straights, such as Spa) because you know you'll get nice rooster tails... assuming the cars come out.

I'd seen the forecast and had a full set of human waterproofs, but only a single £4.99 plastic cover between two cameras. That was allocated to the K-5 IIs, which was attached all day to the Sigma 100-300, while the K-5 was given a thorough soaking. It stopped working briefly during the afternoon, so I took a coffee break, dabbed the contacts with a dry tissue and all seemed well again.

I hope...

A few from Saturday. I still have several hundred to sort out from Brands Hatch on Sunday, too.


1 - The day began brightly (K-5, DA 35mm f2.4)...


2 - ...but soon became rather wet (K-5 IIs, Sigma 100-300mm f4)


3 - The weather didn't dilute drivers' commitment, mind (K-5 IIs, Sigma 100-300mm f4)


4 - "Yes, we are all individuals..." (Sigma 50-150mm f2.8, K-5)


5 - 1/60 with K-5 IIs and Sigma 100-300mm f4


6 - Fuel nozzle reflection (K-5 IIs, Sigma 100-300mm f4)


7 - "I wish Cooper fitted sat-nav as standard" (K-5 IIs, Sigma 100-300mm f4)


8 - Art of darkness (K-5 IIs, Sigma 100-300mm f4)


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


10 - The chase (K-5 IIs, Sigma 100-300mm f4)

Good luck with the 1.4. On my Sigma 100-300 it seemed to slow AF a little too much to make it worthwhile using at a racetrack, so I'd be interested to hear how you get along.

Cadwell is very picturesque - and having a trackside tabard isn't much of an advantage at certain points, because the spectator areas are fairly close to the track. It's about 85 miles from Sheffield, via the M18/M180, which is probably the quickest option.

Enjoy Oulton, and I look forward to seeing the shots.

These are great, Barrie - terrific shots. I'd concur with David Storm about giving #2 a tweak, but in terms of composition and content they all work for me.

Farnes now added to the bucket list, despite the absence of a racetrack...

Hi George

There used to be a clear view of Lodge Corner from the outside of Deer Leap, but a debris fence appeared over the winter and you now need a small set of steps to get a shot over the top. It's a bit of a cliché, but still counts as Oulton's signature photo.

There's a nice pan shot to be had from the inside of Druids, from where it's a short walk to the footbridge that takes you across the track at Clay Hill, and then down to the outside of Knickerbrook. It's worth walking all the way along the outside from Knickerbrook to Britten's, a slowish chicane with no fencing between cars and audience. The BTCC hasn't appeared on the full version of Oulton for several years, but cars are bound to use a significant chunk of kerb here. Before you get to the chicane, there should be quite a nice shot as they come over the crest at Hill Top - not a great spot to watch racing, per se (although you'll be able to see Cascades in the distance).

There are no fences to the outside of Cascades, but I'm not sure it'll be particularly good for creative snaps. It's quite good for general views, though, allowing you to see both Cascades and the Knickerbrook chicane.

More than 40,000 turned up for last season's BTCC race at Oulton - and tickets were selling even more quickly this time around, so it's likely to be rammed. It might be worth approaching through Little Budworth village and taking the first entry gate, near Lodge Corner. That will mean lots of walking for the balance of the day (there is now a footbridge over the pit straight, reinstated a couple of years ago), but shorter exit queues because there's space for far fewer cars on this side.

I won't be there, unfortunately, because there's simply too much other stuff going on and I can't be in several; counties at once: I'll probably do the Vintage & Sports Car Club event at Cadwell Park on Saturday, then the American SpeedfFest at Brands Hatch on Sunday...

Crystal Palace Park contained a racing circuit from 1927 until 1972, when the potential cost of necessary safety upgrades was one of the factors that precipitated its demise. I lived in Cheshire when it closed, so never visited the track during its heyday, but in recent years a sprint event has taken place on parkland roads that incorporate a small part of the bygone circuit. Worth attending, then...


1 - Mini roof gutter effective through left-handers


2 - Early bird etc etc...


3 - Symphony in green


4 - Partial recreation of a famous 1971 saloon car race, (watchable here link and here link). As good a reason as any to re-open the track


5 - Eyeful, not Eiffel


6 - Bale conditions


7 - Ridiculously positive camber


8 - Let us spray

I love the captions, Steve, but the images are even better - wonderful shots of a charismatic species (and further evidence of the 1.4 TC's apparent qualities).

Thanks, Steve.

That heron might as well have been cardboard - it barely moved for at least 90 minutes.

And yes, the rose is a touch softer than first it appeared. It looked crisp when I was only half awake, but seems less so now - a perfect excuse to go back and try again, although the early-morning tranquillity will by now have been shattered.