Croft Racing, Darlington

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azuresauron

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Hello all,

I am going to watch the Touring Car Championship at Croft racing track, near Darlington in 24th June.

I have no experience at all shooting motorsports, but have had some decent results at airshows.

My main question is, Has anyone got any knowledge of Croft Circuit. Best vantage points for capturing images etc.

I will be using a Canon 7d (if its delivered in time) if not a 40d. My longest zoom lens is a Sigma 70-300. In the past this seems to produce images that are rather dark, or soft and noisy. That could be me of course...

I also have a canon 28-135, canon 50mm, canon 18-55 and a sigma 15-30mm. Now I dont want to be lugging all that around, so what would you guys suggest. Could I get a vantage point where I could get away with the 28-135?

Any help appreciated.

John
 
azuresauron said:
Could I get a vantage point where I could get away with the 28-135?

Any help appreciated.

John
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Yes you can John

I took the shot below (ignore the date in the watermark) at Croft in June 2010 at the Sunny In/Sunny Out complex (at 123mm using my Canon 55-250). Back then that was one of the few places on the circuit that didn't have the view obscured by high chain link fence
The 28-135 will also come in handy if you go on the Paddock Walk :thumbs:

Providing all goes well I should be there myself, having missed last years event

pc_no48_pan.jpg

​
 
Almost the whole accessible part of the circuit is good for some kind of shot, it's just going to be a question of where is there room to get in as BTCC race day will be busy. The fences were lined for the BTCC races last year and the weather wasn't brilliant so if it turns out to be sunny it'll be heaving.

Everything in this Flickr set is from Croft. They're tagged with which corner they're nearest to (the names are on the "Circuit Facilities" map here) and the EXIF info is all intact so you can check the focal lengths, though I think a lot of them are cropped on a PC to varying degrees so it might not be too useful in that respect.
I think you'll get away with 135mm in a few places, especially with all the resolution you'd have with a 7D to crop afterwards, though a 70-200mm or 70-300mm would be more flexible.

The Clervaux, Hawthorn and pit lane shots are all through the wire fencing as is the shot of the BMWs in Complex and the shot of the prototypes on the start/finish straight shot with the water spray. The rest are over the fencing or in places without wire fencing.

If you're approaching the circuit on the road that comes over the hump back bridge anticipate that there may be stationary cars waiting to turn right and enter the circuit just over the blind crest.
 
Hello,

Croft is a great circuit to take photos from although would beso much better if they opened up the back.

All or most of my photos are taken at croft as its my local and i marshall there also.

If you have some small steps, I would take them as they can help you take pictures just above the fence but also it could be very busy with BTCC weekend, especially if its sunny

And have fun :)
 
Croft is great for pics

Sunny out you can pan, if you wander alittle further round you can get them at the apex of the corner (with atleast 300mm)

other places are close to the complex, usually some brake locking there

other options are out of around the first few corners, there used to be holes in the fence, not sure if they are still there but there was some good places there, failing that I used to shoot over the fence as I took a tool box I used to carry my camera kit in, worked great

The other place is just out of the chicane, you can get cars coming toqwwards you or slightly further along you can get panning shots

I think I am going down on the Saturday to get pictures as its quite, far busier and harder to get shots on the Sunday, my advice would be get pictures on the Saturday and enjoy the racing on a Sunday
 
Thanks very much for all the tips.

Some great shots there.

My 7d just arrived, now to figure all these features.

John
 
I'll be there on both days as well - just ordered a rain cover given the weather conditions of the last week or so. There are some great locations at Croft - I shot the BTCC last year primarily from the complex area using my 55-250.

Since then I've acquired a Sigma 120-400 which I find useful for getting over the fences when shooting at Clervaux and Hawthorn.
 
i have just posted a similar question about Croft this weekend. i am glad I found this. thanks for all the good advice
 
Seems it might be busy with TP'ers, we are heading down on Friday for annual jaunt, waterproofs and brollies at the ready.
 
I'm hoping to be there Saturday but cant make the sunday
 
I am only planning on being there on the Saturday aswell, woulod much rather see racing on the TV than try to take pictures of it with the big crowd
 
Given the recent weather I think it's a good idea to anticipate getting out of the field at the end of the day being an absolute nightmare. There's no real logic to it at the best of times but I'd imagine there'll be a lot of stuck cars adding to the problem.
 
DazJW said:
Given the recent weather I think it's a good idea to anticipate getting out of the field at the end of the day being an absolute nightmare. There's no real logic to it at the best of times but I'd imagine there'll be a lot of stuck cars adding to the problem.
Click to expand...

I was thinking that - took us hours to get away last year on the Sunday.

I'll be in a red berghaus which I've had since I was 16 from my DofE days (so dont laugh) shooting a canon 500d + Sigma 120-400. Come say hi if you see me as I'm always looking to meet new togs!
 
Not sure whether I'll make this as my back is aching from yesterday, but if i do I'll be in a bright orange waterproof carrying a black lowepro backpack and looking confused
 
I've given this a miss to due to weather

Don't envy anyone using the field after the rain in the passed few days
 
pixvault said:
I watched the qualifying online & the commentator said the field (car park) was closed due to waterlogging
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Same here.
I don't see how they can close the fields without closing the event to spectators as most of the hard standing parking area has displays on it when the BTCC is there. Unless it was just partially closed today to preserve it as much as possible for tomorrow or it's only one of the two fields that is closed and they're still using the other one.
 
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I contacted the circuit regarding the above and have received this reply:

sylvia@croftcircuit.co.uk said:
Hi Darren,

I can confirm that the car parks ARE NOT closed for tomorrow.

Kind regards
Sylvia
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The forecast has improved very marginally since I last looked but it's still rain overnight and for most of tomorrow so it's unlikely to be in remotely good condition.
 
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I'm just back from a good day, I can confirm that the field used as the car park today was ok, the entrance was a little boggy but the rest was fine. The field on the right of the road in, which is the field used as the car park last time I was there, looked ok for use tomorrow.
There were a few heavy traffic areas that were quagmire, but everywhere else was surprisingly ok.
Thanks to EddieB for the hints tips and chat this afternoon. Hope it stays dry for you tomorrow
 
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