Santa Pod FIA Main Event

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kuohu

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Hi all,

I'm off to the Santa Pod Main Event next weekend, which will be my first visit to Santa Pod. I've taken photos at rallies in the past, but never drag racing. I've had a look at the threads in the motorsport section from Santa Pod at Easter, but wanted to start a new thread to ask for tips and advice.

Are there any places to stand which are better than others? Are there any 'must photograph' things or parts of the track? What is it like, generally, for photos?

I have a Canon EOS 1d (mk1) and, by next weekend, I'm hoping to have a 70-200 L USM lens. With a bit of luck, the weather will be very bright like this weekend.

Thanks in advance for any tips.
 
Either side of the track has good elevated views. I have always favoured the start line as I feel this gives more opportunities for photos - burnouts to warm the tyres, Christmas tree counting down the start, girls in bikinis (if you're lucky) guiding the cars back to the line after their burnout. Downside is that the start area attracts most people, but you should be able to find a spot giving you a clear view.

If you're panning techniques are good, somewhere further down the track will give you a chance to put them to use. Near the finish line will give you the chance to catch the cars with the 'chutes out slowing them down, and possibly including the gantry showing elapsed times and speeds. If a run goes wrong, the results are usually best captured further down the track. Downside is the wait between runs with not much to photograph.
 
70-200 will be okay.

Stand on the bank, fairly high up, this will let you see over the retaining wall and get the track and bottom of cars in shot.
The pits side of the track is not great as you are about 10 feet back from the retaining wall, makes it hard to see over it. Further up on the pits side is catch fencing that you just will not see over.

You are probably best standing at (say) half track and shoot down to the start line.
You can get some great pictures of chassis twisting and tyre deflection as well as wheelstands.
A trip round the pits will be worth it too.

Since they took the barn away you can't get round the back of cars as they run, criminal IMHO as you could of got some great shots from there.

Oh, make sure you have a coat, hat and sunscreen. Santa Pod either gives you windburn or sunburn, nothing in between ! Its very exposed so gets the full extent of the weather. You have been warned :)
 
I live 4 miles away from santa pod, I haven't got to put up with that bloody racket again, have I!!!:D
 
I unfortunately :D lived in Rushden for 3 years. Always kept meaning to go to Santa Pod but never got round to it :bonk:
 
I went last year, however I'm working all this weekend.

Remember to shoot some of the other stuff they have kicking around i.e. monster trucks, stunting etc.
 
Take ear protection...
 
Last year I was about halfway along the grandstand and that's where I plan to be again this year. With a 70-200 you'll be close enough to the start line to get the action there and the cars are going slow enough, yet fast enough, as they pass to get some good panning shots. Here's one from last year -

SantaPod_20090912_048.jpg


It is a shame the Barn is no more - can't get shots like this anymore.

Santa%20Pod%2010-09-06%20017%20.jpg
 
Excellent shots guys, and many thanks everyone for the advice. To be honest, I hadn't thought of ear protection! D'oh.
 
Keenbfb said:
Take ear protection...
Click to expand...

Specially if you intend being within 1 mile of the jet car (if its running)... the backfiring when they are lighting the afterburner is bad enough, without the roar of it as it goes by!!

31323_115826971790709_113332868706786_89056_3567642_n.jpg


I would say, I got better shots by being about halfway along the grandstand, but on the embankment side! Standing about 2/3 the height, you can get good shots over the wall, and can see most of the way along the track (I used a 70-300mm f4). From here you should be able to get shots of the burnouts at the start, good opportunity to try your panning skills, and with a long enough lens, you can see the chutes opening and the timing board at the finish (at a push).

Be sure to take a good wander round, specially iof they have anythign happening at the drift track (you could even try a drift taxi). Also, good opportunity to see monster trucks, and plenty of semi naked models most of the time.
 
We went to all the Santa Pod major events for years. We found that half way down the bank, fairly high up, was the best position. I would second the advice about going prepared for the weather. We always took a plasic sheet of some sort for if you are up on the bank and it rains. They dont race again until the track is dry but if its only a short shower you can stay and wait it out.
I got sunburned several times. Even if its not sunny you can get sunburned there.

Dont panic if you forget the ear protection, except if you have kids. they usually have ear defenders on sale if you feel you need them.The worst time for noise is when they start up a top fuel car in the pits and you are walking past.

Have a good time. It can be dramatic and exciting.
Sue
 
Just to add if you want to see the lie of the land and get some sneaky practice in there is a test day on Wednesday.

If the weather stays with us its going to be very busy the weekend!
 
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