British Superbikes good/bad circuits for togs

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leprechaun67

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Dominic
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Excited that the new BSB season is about to start, but think this time I might try some more circuits - usually it's Oulton Park, Mallory Park, Silverstone for me (as they're the nearest to home) - my fave is Oulton Park, but don't like Silverstone at all.

Which circuits do you rate/not rate for getting some good shots of the action? I take a 500mm prime or 300mm prime and a 100-400mm zoom, incidentally.

Wondering whether to try Thruxton in a couple of weeks for the first time? Any good for togs?

What about Croft and Cadwell Park?

Can't make Brands this weekend, but hope to in August.

Any thoughts?

Dom
 
Dom,

Cadwell Park is an absolute must for bikes of any kind, BUT it is mega, mega busy for the BSB meets.

Croft is okay for bikes, but limited angles and not massively pretty. Don't know about Thruxton as I've never been.

Simon.
 
Snetterton is pretty photographer friendly, but its quite a flat circuit - Norfolk & old airfield. Thruxton has some good spots from public areas, but will be packed at a bike meeting. A lot of the circuit is out of bounds.
 
leprechaun67 said:
Wondering whether to try Thruxton in a couple of weeks for the first time? Any good for togs?

What about Croft and Cadwell Park?

Can't make Brands this weekend, but hope to in August.

Any thoughts?

Dom
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It depends if you have media accreditation or just general tog as there's quite abit of difference with your kit on where your on the inside or outside of the fences looking in.....The inmates get more advantages :D

Forget Thruxton, you get the start finish straight and last corner, most of the rest of the circuit is out of bounds (to get close) which is a shame because there are some really good sections of the track, it a track for watching the action not taking images.

Brands is definitely better on the GP circuit rather than the Indy Circuit, your 300 / 500mm combo would be perfect for all locations on that track apart from Druids where 70-200mm would be more suited, although there are some good spots on the Indy circuit, personally would wait until August for the GP race, best of both worlds.

From what I've heard and friends have said, croft isn't a bad track for photography, but I'll leave that up to those that have been. Cadwell on the other hand is fantastic, went for 1st time last year and the "Mountain" has got to be seen. So good, going again this year. Lots of opportunity to get great shots, worth a visit.....

Cadwell has 2 day's this year 21-23rd May and 28-30th August
 
Anywhere but Silverstone is good :D
 
Guys, thanks for all your comments... very useful to know that it's not really worth lugging camera stuff to Thruxton.. Have seen it often on tele, but didn't occur to me that most of it's out of bounds to the public. From what you, Simon and others seem to say, Cadwell is the one I've got to get to.. always seem to miss it, being August Bank Holiday. Simon, thanks for giving an insight into Croft.. may give this one a miss on that account :)

Pete and Neil G, thanks for advice on Brands and comparing Indy with GP circuit.. that's v. useful!

Andrew C, thanks, I'd forgotten Snetterton.. went there last year and it wasn't bad, but as you say fast and flat.. It was mainly Riches and the Russell's that I got decent shots, though I think they're opening up the Bombhole this year, if I'm not mistaken. Yeah, and I like Mallory too.

POAH, thanks for reminding me about Knockhill.. I think I meant Knockhill when I asked about Croft. Knockhill is such a trek, it better be worth it! ;)

Desantnik... yeah, Silverstone :thumbsdown:

midsnick - I had considered road racing last year.. the NW200, but was ill.. in the event, it seemed to p*ss down most of the time from what I saw on tele/heard.

Anyone going to Oulton, early May Bank Holiday for the BSB? See you there! :)

cheers all,

Dom
 
leprechaun67 said:
Andrew C, thanks, I'd forgotten Snetterton.. went there last year and it wasn't bad, but as you say fast and flat.. It was mainly Riches and the Russell's that I got decent shots, though I think they're opening up the Bombhole this year, if I'm not mistaken.
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The Esses are also good for shots at Snetts and yes they've built a huge bank between The Bombhole and Coram.
 
I think I was not on the best side of the track for the Esses, Chris.. I take it you're meaning from the bridge and bank side on the outer side of the circuit.. I only got one 'decentish' shot from the inside of Harris, Camier and Easton (I think it was) curving out towards the Bomb Hole.

I might give Snetterton another try this year.. It's just a long, boring driving along the A14...

thanks for your reminder about the Esses..
 
For Snetterton, the outside of the Esses is, for me, the better section. I especially like the looking down shot with a short lens, as they ride the kerb on the way into the Esses. I find this works best in the morning, as in the afternoon you can be shooting into the Sun.

Russells Chicane is best left for afternoon.

There was a nice shot at Corum, but they've moved the catch fencing back 100 feet which has ruined it, even if you have the extra 6 feet a media bib gives you.
 
there are loads of places to shoot where there are no fences but the only problem on days like BTCC and BSB is actually getting a space lol

leprechaun67 said:
POAH, thanks for reminding me about Knockhill.. I think I meant Knockhill when I asked about Croft. Knockhill is such a trek, it better be worth it! ;)



Dom
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Straycat, Silverstone suffers from high fences, distance for non-accredited togs away from the track and for me, a generally soulless experience.. lots of concrete, stands rather than close trackside standing areas (like at Mallory Park, Oulton etc..).. In my view, Silverstone is more of a car racing venue or one for accommodating huge crowds and a flat fast uninspiring one at that.. the bike park's impressive though :lol:

I think a good analogy is one of the new soulless out of city football grounds, as compared with a traditional one when it used to have terracing and where spectators were close to the pitch. The former lacks atmosphere, which the latter had.

Most of this is perhaps subjective, but from a tog's point of view, I'm sure many would agree how tog-unfriendly Silverstone is generally.

Dom
 
Its not much better even if you are accredited!!!
 
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