Calling Avation and Motorsport Photographers. What are these venues/events like?

Matt Sayle

Matt Sayle

2017MSA Young Photographer of the Year(Motorsport)
Suspended / Banned
Messages
18,976
Name
Matt Sayle
Edit My Images
Yes
Just spent an hour doing my calender for the year and wonedered what the following events/tracks/air shows were like for photography.

If you can only say about one thing than is better than nothing. The type of reply I am after isnt a 'where to shoot' but a 'is it worth going and is it photographer friendly' etc.

Motorsport events and tracks​

  • Donington BTCC
  • Olivers Mount Scarbourgh (bikes)
  • Anglesey (Cars)
  • Darley Moor
  • Cadwell Park (cars)
  • Goodwood FOS (Friday)
  • Shelsey Walsh
  • Croft
  • Chalmondley Pageneant of Power
  • BSB MAllory (friday)
  • Moto GP Donington (Friday)
  • Harewood Hilclimb
  • BTCC Snetterton (Race Day)
  • Devils Own Rally (Cumbria)
  • Thruxton ( TRucks)
  • Prescott Hillclimb
  • Pembrey (Trucks)
  • Supermoto @ Cadwell
  • WRC Wale Rally GB

Airshows​
    • RAF Cosford
    • Southport Airshow
    • Shoreham Airshow

Thanks
Matt
 
Anglesey - No crash barriers - Google earth shows old circuit, not new. Spectators have access for the first 2/3rds of the Bookatrak banking, and from Peel to Hairpin (depending on circuit layout)

Snetterton. Will be busy for BTCC. My local and I'm there for race day. Good access for photographers

Cadwell - good access.

Donington - not been, but BTCC must be in doubt. Probably least photogenic of your list

Mallory - good access

Goodwood - the thing about Goodwood is getting close to the cars in the paddock. The hillclimb is actually a bit disappointing compared to getting close to the cars and the drivers.

Pembrey - bit run down by all accounts. Not very inspiring when I went years and years ago
 
andrewc said:
Anglesey - No crash barriers - Google earth shows old circuit, not new. Spectators have access for the first 2/3rds of the Bookatrak banking, and from Peel to Hairpin (depending on circuit layout)

Snetterton. Will be busy for BTCC. My local and I'm there for race day. Good access for photographers

Cadwell - good access.

Donington - not been, but BTCC must be in doubt. Probably least photogenic of your list

Mallory - good access

Goodwood - the thing about Goodwood is getting close to the cars in the paddock. The hillclimb is actually a bit disappointing compared to getting close to the cars and the drivers.

Pembrey - bit run down by all accounts. Not very inspiring when I went years and years ago
Click to expand...

Thank you very much for that Andrew. Anglesey is a go go then :) Not sure weather or not to do Donington due to the works.

Thank you very much for that,
 
Also..think about driving time to get to some places.

Snetterton will take at least 4 hours for you to get to, Cadwell is in the arse end of nowhere, and Goodwood is even further than Snetterton to get to, its pretty much on the south coast.

Since your a new driver, thats alot of driving to be doing, and most of it will be motorways - something learners arent allowed on.

Half of Donington will probably be fenced off for most of the year due to the building work, but theres a few good places to get photos from.
 
Airshows - can't help.

I went to RAF Fairford last year for Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) but it was cancelled due to waterlogged grounds :(

However, Anglesey is worth a visit as its quite close to you. You could also try the Mach Loop for fighter pics.
 
surrealillusions said:
Also..think about driving time to get to some places.

Snetterton will take at least 4 hours for you to get to, Cadwell is in the arse end of nowhere, and Goodwood is even further than Snetterton to get to, its pretty much on the south coast.

Since your a new driver, thats alot of driving to be doing, and most of it will be motorways - something learners arent allowed on.

Half of Donington will probably be fenced off for most of the year due to the building work, but theres a few good places to get photos from.
Click to expand...

Yeah I know :) The driving is going to be a pain but ya know.

I should have done my pass plus by that time so I can do motorways :)
 
andrewc said:
Airshows - can't help.

I went to RAF Fairford last year for Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) but it was cancelled due to waterlogged grounds :(

However, Anglesey is worth a visit as its quite close to you. You could also try the Mach Loop for fighter pics.
Click to expand...

Yup, The 'loop' is on the list for sure!! next month sometime :)
 
I haven't been to Wales GB however as a rallying family member, I can tell you the only way you will get some decent shots is by paying for the passes.

The stages are located in the middle of no where, and they put measures in place to stop people parking and walking the miles. Unless you can get accrediated (This is hard for this event) you will need to pay the spectator fees to gain the passes, in order to access the stages.

As I said, I haven't been to Wales GB however I have been on another rally where the same stages are used and I can assure you that you won't be walking in.
 
DarrenToogood said:
I haven't been to Wales GB however as a rallying family member, I can tell you the only way you will get some decent shots is by paying for the passes.

The stages are located in the middle of no where, and they put measures in place to stop people parking and walking the miles. Unless you can get accrediated (This is hard for this event) you will need to pay the spectator fees to gain the passes, in order to access the stages.

As I said, I haven't been to Wales GB however I have been on another rally where the same stages are used and I can assure you that you won't be walking in.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I was aware of the charges for the Rally :)

Thank you very much for that!!
 
Chalmondley Pageneant of Power

If you read the ticket, photography is banned! I might be there with the boats that are there but it's a small lake and crap!

If you want something, go to Carr Mill Dam at St. Helens on A580 going from M6 to St. Helens, it's behind the Waterside Pub/Hotel. Date is May 2nd/3rd. It's the RYA British National Powerboat Racing Championships.

Supermoto at Cadwell

You may well not be allowed trackside, it's run by Norasport and they are starting to only allow trackside access by their event photographer only. But you MIGHT get trackside, you WILL need £5 million cover for Cadwell.

Hope this helps,
Carl.
 
andrewc said:
Castle Combe?

Brands Hatch?

Knockhill
Click to expand...

I think there ones for a full weekend camping. Might do Formula Ford at Castle Comb and BTCC at BH and Knockhill.

CarlOgden said:
Chalmondley Pageneant of Power

If you read the ticket, photography is banned! I might be there with the boats that are there but it's a small lake and crap!

If you want something, go to Carr Mill Dam at St. Helens on A580 going from M6 to St. Helens, it's behind the Waterside Pub/Hotel. Date is May 2nd/3rd. It's the RYA British National Powerboat Racing Championships.

Supermoto at Cadwell

You may well not be allowed trackside, it's run by Norasport and they are starting to only allow trackside access by their event photographer only. But you MIGHT get trackside, you WILL need £5 million cover for Cadwell.

Hope this helps,
Carl.
Click to expand...

Joking?!?! b****r. Will have to see if I can get a press pass.

Cant make them. It is BSB at Oulton Park that weekend. If it was clubbie I would be there but as it is BSB.....

Yeah, i will be over 18 by then thus being eligable for press pass so I will have to wiat and see. Thank you very much for your reply.
 
cadwell is good
also not actually been to a event there myself yet but have driven around the track several times in a car as it is public roads so any one can drive aslong that there is no event on nd i must say its awesome it has hills to cimb up and sheer drops if you crash so very intresteig to watch you make a mistake there and you might aswell call a funeral directors lol def one to go to i will be this year

i have booked ticketfor the moto gp so should be good i hope
 
Only one I have been to is Southport Airshow, it is ok, but a bit pricey, but then you can seemingly get a good view. I prefer Sunderland, free and lots more people for interesting photos :)
 
I can only comment on the one venue, Donington. It is going to be "under construction" for it's entry into F1 but unless they improve things then with regards the Moto GP you will either need to get there ridiculously early or accept that you are there to get pics of fences. I attended the Moto GP last year and it was seriously maxed out. The BSB on the other hand presented loads of chances for fence free shots simply due to the best places not already being 4 deep.
With the price they charge for Moto GP I would only attend for the race and treat any photo ops as a bonus.
 
Almost_Invisible said:
I can only comment on the one venue, Donington. It is going to be "under construction" for it's entry into F1 but unless they improve things then with regards the Moto GP you will either need to get there ridiculously early or accept that you are there to get pics of fences. I attended the Moto GP last year and it was seriously maxed out. The BSB on the other hand presented loads of chances for fence free shots simply due to the best places not already being 4 deep.
With the price they charge for Moto GP I would only attend for the race and treat any photo ops as a bonus.
Click to expand...

So is the Friday not worth it??
 
Hi Matt

I have been going to motorsport events of all types for many years and would have to say that the Goodwood Revial at the race circuit takes some beating.

The circuit has almost un hindered access for photographers (no fences) and the paddock access to the cars, especially if you dress in period and get into the paddock proper, is fantastic.

Even if you don't have a paddock pass you can still get lots of very good shots from the other side of the (very low) fence.

The period ambiance created by Lord March is just amazing, a very polished show after so many years of getting it right.

They even have a air show, kill two birds with one stone.

Only downside is the expense but well worth it I would say, rather spend the money to go to Goodwood than for instance the British GP (ok might be interesting this year but not normally).

One other mention you don't have on your list is Top Fuel drag racing at Santa Pod. All petrol heads MUST go here at least once - compulsory.

There is nothing to compare to the sight and sound of a side by side sub 5 second Top Fuel run, oh and very good paddock access as well.

HTH

David
 
Matt Sayle said:
  • Donington BTCC
  • Olivers Mount Scarbourgh (bikes)
  • Anglesey (Cars)
  • Darley Moor
  • Cadwell Park (cars)
  • Goodwood FOS (Friday)
  • Shelsey Walsh
  • Croft
  • Chalmondley Pageneant of Power
  • BSB MAllory (friday)
  • Moto GP Donington (Friday)
  • Harewood Hilclimb
  • BTCC Snetterton (Race Day)
  • Devils Own Rally (Cumbria)
  • Thruxton ( TRucks)
  • Prescott Hillclimb
  • Pembrey (Trucks)
  • Supermoto @ Cadwell
  • WRC Wale Rally GB
Click to expand...

Donington BTCC, well it looks in doubt!

Goodwood FOS is a long way for you to come, but its great fun! Shoot some static supercars in the morning (make sure you have something short to use because its busy as hell!) then go shoot some rally :woot: Ignore the hill climb thing unless you want some pretty dull photos!

BSB Mallory - never done BSB there, but the circuit looks very nice for photography (I've only done MX there... but the Super Moto is out this year!)

MotoGP - go if you want to watch the race, otherwise unless you get up VERY early and have some long glass, you'll not get much... You'd probably enjoy Riders Day on Thursday more - get pitlane and paddock access to MotoGP - very rare and great fun if you love MotoGP (like me!). You'll need to buy the special paddock ticket well in advance though, they go like hot cakes and are never for sale on the day!

Trucks at Thruxton? YAWN! Avoid... the circuit is dull enough at the best of times!

Wales Rally - looks in doubt too from what I read this week about it loosing its world round status (due to rolling venue rules) and that means no government funding. Besides, everything I've seen on here suggests photographically you will struggle due to OTT marshalling. Better off going to some of the smaller rallys IMHO...
 
matt,

don't bother with wales rally GB, complete rip off, 'have' to stand in RUBBISH places, lack of atmosphere.

i know it's very short notice, but if your free fri night and sat and can get to somerset, drop me a pm

my rally schedule looks like this:

this sat: somerset stages (minehead) (gravel)
next sun: International welsh epynt, mid wales (tarmac)
16th may Plains Rally Welshpool (gravel with a bloody good party afterwards)
30th may Severn Valley Rally Wales (awesome gravel)

I use www.itsmymotorsport.co.uk along with the various rally forums.

any events you fancy going to, drop me a line and if i'm going, your more than welcome to tag along to
 
Cadwell is excellent for photographers. Check my site out. On some parts you are only 10-15 feet from the track with low fences to see over.

I'm off there on saturday for a car testing day. Hopefully the The British Automobile Racing Club which are racing there on the sunday will be testing on the saturday!
 
Don't listen to the Wales Rally GB haters! For sure its expensive, but so is any international motorsport event these days. Try going on the Thursday before the rally when they do the shakedown stage just outside swansea - they even put on a bus to the stage and you can get really close to the action. I did Thursday, Saturday and Sunday last year and was amazed how fantastic it was for photography. I was getting superb shots with my P&S Nikon, and can't wait for this years rally with my DSLR. You can get so close to the action. With a car i managed to see 3 stages on each the saturday and sunday, but it involves quite a lot of driving to move between them and not miss the cars coming through - you usually have to move pretty quick from the car parks to the stage too, but its all part of the fun! - most people will stay at the same stage all day and watch cars come through, then wait till the stage rerun in the afternoon.

Oh and with a bit of determination you don't have to stand in "Rubbish places." In fact you can stand as close to international racing cars running as you are ever likely too without media accreditation.
 
DarrenToogood said:
I haven't been to Wales GB however as a rallying family member, I can tell you the only way you will get some decent shots is by paying for the passes.

The stages are located in the middle of no where, and they put measures in place to stop people parking and walking the miles. Unless you can get accrediated (This is hard for this event) you will need to pay the spectator fees to gain the passes, in order to access the stages.

As I said, I haven't been to Wales GB however I have been on another rally where the same stages are used and I can assure you that you won't be walking in.
Click to expand...

Absolute rubbish! :lol:

How would you know if you've never been or tried? If you can get the stage maps, mark up some OS maps, do your homework and don't mind a bit of walking you do it all for free. I've done this for the last 5 years and managed to stand in some really good places close to the action miles away from the OTT marshalls and spectator pens and taken some shots I'm really pleased with. ;)

Or you could however do it the easy way and get ripped off paying the extortionate ticket prices! :bonk: However as has been mentioned the running of the event looks in doubt at the moment. :(

Near enough all the stages used are the same ones that national rallies in Wales use and I wouldn't really describe them as in the middle of no where, most of which you can usually find somewhere to park and walk in. :shrug:

Until you are keen enough to do WRGB, if you want to get into rallying and rally photography I suggest getting to as many national events as you can. Obviously then you've got the choice of lots of events on different surfaces using different stages. These events usually have friendlier marshalls (generally, although you're always going to come across little Hitlers from time to time) and most importantly more interesting cars and more sideways driving! :D As Charlie has pointed out there a number of good events coming up, that site with the dates and events is what I use too. PM if you want any info. :wave:

As for aviation, I'm only just starting to get into it. Been to the Mach loop once, got the bug and am hoping to get up there a fair bit in the next couple of months! :thumbs:
 
Sounds like your new motor might be in for some motorway mileage Matt.

RAF Cosford is pretty good day out. It was very dull last year so very difficult to expose well. Also, very few aircraft actually take-off/land at Cosford. Many are flown in from Shawbury, do their display and leave. Also, traffic can be a nightmare. I'll be there this year warming up for RIAT at Fairford, looking forward to seeing the B17 Sally B, an aircraft I've never seen before. Also, if finished it's the first display by the Vulcan this year. Apart from Fairford and Waddington it's on par with the other main shows.

I've always fancied Goodwood FOS but its a fair drive from here and being that I'm away for a full weekend for RIAT I doubt the wife'd be best pleased.

As a matter of interest, how do you go about getting access at Oulton for photography. Do you go when trackdays are on and get within the spectator areas. Do they charge for this access?

Hope your getting your hands dirty servicing your car, sounds like it could be needing some fresh oil...

Cheers

Russ
 
Rodintee said:
Sounds like your new motor might be in for some motorway mileage Matt.

RAF Cosford is pretty good day out. It was very dull last year so very difficult to expose well. Also, very few aircraft actually take-off/land at Cosford. Many are flown in from Shawbury, do their display and leave. Also, traffic can be a nightmare. I'll be there this year warming up for RIAT at Fairford, looking forward to seeing the B17 Sally B, an aircraft I've never seen before. Also, if finished it's the first display by the Vulcan this year. Apart from Fairford and Waddington it's on par with the other main shows.

I've always fancied Goodwood FOS but its a fair drive from here and being that I'm away for a full weekend for RIAT I doubt the wife'd be best pleased.

As a matter of interest, how do you go about getting access at Oulton for photography. Do you go when trackdays are on and get within the spectator areas. Do they charge for this access?

Hope your getting your hands dirty servicing your car, sounds like it could be needing some fresh oil...

Cheers

Russ
Click to expand...

Thank you very much for that reply Russ :):)

Trackdays are free at Oultonand you get the same access as you would on a race day :)
 
In my neck of the woods:

Prescott hill climb is awesome. Owned by bugatti owners clubs there's always some fantastic old cars running the hill. Access for photography is almost unlimited with only low 3 bar wooden fencing and you're so close to the circuit that at times you need a walkabout lens. The marshalls are really friendly.

some of my pics here to give you a clue:

http://www.pbase.com/byker28i/prescott2007
http://www.pbase.com/byker28i/prescott2008


Castle Coombe is well worth a visit with several great spots for photography and a nice club feel. Regular meets and always competitive racing.

Thruxton I'd avoid like the plague. Lots of photographers fight for the spot on the chicane at club onto the start finish straight which is probably the best spot.

Brands Hatch is good for photographers, especially on trackdays or club events when you have more access to areas.

Goodwood festival of speed is great but crowded, but nowhere else do you get so close to so many famous drivers :D


It'll be worth picking up a copy of the circuit guides. (www.circuitguides.com) You can pick up old copies of these cheaply from racers.
 
Out of those, Cadwell is probably my favourite for spectator area photography. It's pretty unique with some wide open sections and others that are so tight you can't quite believe they allow Superbikes and GT cars to race there!
 
I went to an historic car rally at Croft, what a waste of space that was !
 
Donington MotoGP - Friday:

I've been for the past 2 years,

2007 they openned up the railway carridge (hospitality) area next to foggy Esses, for a good vantage point, other wise most of the circuit was covered by at least 2 banks of fences.

2008 the railway carridge area was NOT open, nor was it in use!! So no reasonable vantage points and just for good measure a third bank of fences had been added from most of the infield areas.

Not bothering this year.
 
you have PM!

only circuit i can comment on is anglesey circuit (Ty Croes) and its a very good track to photograph on, especially now theyve re-done it to european standard.

Dion!
 
With Anglesey you have to watch that you're not shooting into the sun. The spectator areas are generally to the east of the circuit. However there is enough freedom on this eastern side to work round the problem. Just something to bear in mind.

They're planting trees in some places - the place is a bit barren at the moment, but Anglesey doesn't have much in the way of trees anyway.
 
Shoreham is great mate, been a few years running, and will go this year too. Be good to meet up.
Dean:)
 
castle combe is great tower corner is good cars are quite close usually a lot of prangs fat approach to a cambered right hander thn short straight to a chicane
 
don't knock Pembray till you've tried it, I've had some awsomw days there on rallies, plenty of place to take photo's from never been harrassed by marshalls and only £10 per car to get in.
 
I think you'd love Goodwood FOS Matt. A long way to come and a long day, so you'd really need to do an overnighter. The local accommodation tends to get very busy (and ain't generally cheap), so you'd need to plan sleeping further afield.

You'd be in badge shot heaven around the various paddocks. The hill climb is fun for a while and the rally section is a hoot. Fridays are free if you know where to look at the right time, but it's worth the entrance fee in my book anyway.
 
If you want supermoto there is also 3 sisters near wigan (so about 45 mins from you) that does quite a few norasport race days and as it a go kart track there is awesome viewing of most of the track and can get quite close too the track.

As for the other comments alot of them i agree with, such as the WRC you paying alot more than a normal rally too see 5-6 cars go through after that it just the ones making up the numbers, i would rather go too BRC rallies that cost £5 to park and can go almost anywhere apart from the obvious places like the outside of certain corners.

Olivers mount is awesome if you like BSB then this is a whole new level (was lucky enough to be working in ireland when UGP was on last year) seeing riders running so close on such a narrow track.

Thruxton is a little boring as access is very limited to spectators, donnington isnt the best for pics due too fencing and with F1 coming it gonna be even worse. Snetterton is good but there 2 main places people want too take pics so can be busy in these areas but should be ok.
 
Matt, if you can fit Waddington in on the 4th/5th July and the weather plays ball, its a great airshow. Lots of heavy metal.
I'll be going on arrivals day (friday) and probably Saturday 4th.
Also Cadwell is very good on weekdays as you have access free of charge to all viewing areas. Track days etc.

Kev.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top