DTM Brands Hatch Indy - Go or no Go?

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Tom Middleton
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Hello Guys. I am pondering the idea of going next weekend. Its a 3hr drive for me and wanted to get your views. Is worth it? Is the indy track any good for photography without a media pass?

Many Thanks

Tom
 
If anything like last year - nope. They will shut off inside of druids all weekend, theres new catch fencing along surtees, they wont let you in sight of the outer paddock without a pass and there'll be no overtaking.

Not worth the entry fee. I'd only go again if someone paid me to go, which is nigh on impossible :)

Shame really, cos the DTM cars are great and make some of the best sounds in the world. They should be on the GP loop and they should open up a bit (outer paddock and druids).
 
They shut Druids - that's no good as its a great place to camp out, especially if you're trying to keep track of kids.
 
Yep, they've closed Druids for 3 years on the trot now. It's pretty lame and you can usually get some good shots out of Paddock, up the hill, at the apex, out of Druids etc

I'll probably go and spectate tor the weekend - got a season pass and I've got my moneys worth by this point in the season I reckon, so it's not too bad.

The support races will probably be better than the main event though!
 
Dave_G said:
The support races will probably be better than the main event though!
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Yep usually are :lol:

DTM cars are awesome. Very fast and loud. Remember the first time seeing them, sparking in the bottom of the dip at Paddock Hill Bend :eek: Here's a random shot:

http://www.ae-photography.co.uk/wallpapers/DTM_and_Support_Brands_Hatch_300808_AE_025_1440x900.jpg

But sadly they don't tend to race so well, particularly on the tight Indy circuit. I'm giving it a miss. However if you've not been before definitely worth going. You'll be able to get some good shots through/over the fence on outside of Druids, over fence at Paddock Hill Bend and over at Clearways.
 
I'm going to give it a go (haven't been to shoot at Brands before). Thats a bit of a pain about Druids, I was hoping to camp out there!

Which lens would regulars recommend? I'll be taking my 135 I think which gives me over 200mm on my cropper.
 
I was thinking about going, but can't now due to work :(

*Hijack Alert*
Which brings me onto the subject of my thread.....linky.....is paddock hill a good place for photo's?
 
My advice would be get there early as soon as gates open and bag yourself a spot at Clearways. There is a section there next to the bridge without any high catch fencing. Also a little further along toward the Foulston/MotorsportVision Centre, there is a gap in the catch fencing where the rescue forklift gets out. If the marshalls aren't standing at the end of the fencing, you may be able to get some decent panning shots with cars over in the background coming past the back of the paddock. If you are really lucky and no one has closed it there is a hatch in the catch fence, where again it is possible to get panning shots or head on shots as the cars hit the apex kerbing. Expect that area to be very busy with Media and hobbyists alike though. Failing all that, over the top of the fencing as the cars come round Paddock.
 
DTM cars are a spectacle to see with your own eyes and thats for sure... those cars are STUPIDLY loud (ear plugs for sure) and fast.... got some good Brits in it too - David Coulthard (highest scoring Brit F1 driver and BBC F1 commentator), Paffett (Mclaren's test driver) and Di Resta (Force India's test driver).

Even if you can't find a decent photo angle, just go watch the fun!

See you there :D
 
Anyone else got a Paddock Pass for this weekend? For £12 I thought i'd risk it and try and get some good close ups of the cars but I expect a million other people will have the same idea.
 
can I ask a favour from everyone going?......... take some pretty damn amazing pics to make me even more jealous
 
desantnik said:
DTM cars are a spectacle to see with your own eyes and thats for sure... those cars are STUPIDLY loud (ear plugs for sure)
Click to expand...

I didn't think they were that loud and I've stood inside Druids with them roaring round and back down the hill as well as on the start finish straight.
 
Matt_B said:
Anyone else got a Paddock Pass for this weekend? For £12 I thought i'd risk it and try and get some good close ups of the cars but I expect a million other people will have the same idea.
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Shouldn't be that many people with those passes - I suspect you can't buy them on the day or at least it won't be obvious that you can. I hadn't heard of it until you mentioned it and went to check the Brands website!

Not sure how much of the cars you will see from behind the garages - it depends largely on whether they have the doors open and whether they have brought their own wall panels to block it off... some do, some don't.

Worth a look though, if it was me, I'd take a punt on it. You get the pit walks included too so its practically the same price as buying that anyway.
 
nilagin said:
I didn't think they were that loud and I've stood inside Druids with them roaring round and back down the hill as well as on the start finish straight.
Click to expand...

Seemed plenty loud enough to me last year - so much so that I've got earplugs for this year and I don't normally bother for anything else!

I was deaf in one ear after last year for several days...
 
The cars are pretty loud, but not that loud :)

As for the paddock pass and pit garages - they are usually all boarded up with very little to view from the outside. And yes they do sell them on the day at the circuit. And can use the paddock pass as the pit walk pass too - but theres usually alot of people on that, and theres usually no drivers about either. You can sometimes spot them milling about behind the garages though.

:)
 
Maybe the noise level from my perception is just more because I am closer... but not that much closer really.

Re the drivers, if you want to see the drivers, they do a signing sesssion thats different to the pit lane walkabout.

If you see Oliver Jarvis, tell him that everything is geiler - he'll love it :D
 
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