Silvestone advice - please

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Anyone who's been doing photography at Silverstone - advice would be appreciated.

I've gotten accredited to do three days of Formula Palmer Audi series at Silverstone at the end of this week.
Now - I've never been to the circuit, and thought to ask the more experienced Silverstone togs about where they usually get themselves sitting to take photos.

What are the best spots to get some action-shots at the track?

I suppose I'm lucky enough to have accreditation so I get to move a little more freely and don't have to shoot through the fence. Which is nice as my days will be mainly concentrating on a single driver.

Luckily I do have three days there - three races, so that should give me a chance to try different angles and places. But would be nice to have a little idea where to head on the first day..

Thanks a million for help - and if anyone is coming to do photography over there.. would be nice to meet up!
 
Just back from BSB there.

Think you will probably be on the full circuit, ours was the shorter international circuit. Best places i found were the inside of luffield, outside of woodcote and the outside of abbey. Very much depends on where the sun is at the time. Lots of clutter in the background as well , cones and fencing etc.

I have a circuit map which i will scan and post up for you mate. That may help
 
The classic start line shot requires a long lens or cropping.

Luffield is good for a number of angles as well.

Beyond that, which circuit layout is being used? MSVR says international, the picture on FPA website shows full GP circuit and the Silverstone website is quiet about it!

I quite like the inside just after Bridge Corner which is a feature on the International and full GP circuits, but absent on the National.
 
Well because its the Britcar 500 it is on the Grand Prox circuit,and because you have got media accreditation,there is lots of places you could go.
Bridge you could get them coming out of abbey and down to bridge which is good over the crest....
Vale going round one of the hardest corners for braking on the GP circuit.
Stowe inside and outside,outside is great for panning but is quite far away so you need a big lens.
Luffield you can shoot them as they wind up for the pit straight and go round Woodcote.
Club where they are sweeping round the corner going upup to abbey coming out from Vale.
Priory great panning spot.
And Copse for that lap 1 shot.
Hope that helps.
Steve
P.S I will be up there too so may see you ;)
http://www.ssphotographywildlifeandmotorsport.moonfruit.co.uk/
 
Just back from BSB there.

Think you will probably be on the full circuit, ours was the shorter international circuit. Best places i found were the inside of luffield, outside of woodcote and the outside of abbey. Very much depends on where the sun is at the time. Lots of clutter in the background as well , cones and fencing etc.

I have a circuit map which i will scan and post up for you mate. That may help

Thanks! Looked at the map on the link and it has given me few ideas.
Suppose the Luffield does give few options for different angles.. so might be there for one of the races at least.

As for the direction sun - my guess is there won't be any :lol:

The classic start line shot requires a long lens or cropping.

Luffield is good for a number of angles as well.

Beyond that, which circuit layout is being used? MSVR says international, the picture on FPA website shows full GP circuit and the Silverstone website is quiet about it!

I quite like the inside just after Bridge Corner which is a feature on the International and full GP circuits, but absent on the National.

Naah, my lens isn't that long, so might not do the start.
Do need to do some Pitlane shots - prior to the race. But other than that doesn't sound like it's worth hanging around there..

And another 'vote' for Lufffield - I suppose there is few bends there so might get few shots of the cars.

Will walk around to see the Bridge corner as well..

Well because its the Britcar 500 it is on the Grand Prox circuit,and because you have got media accreditation,there is lots of places you could go.
Bridge you could get them coming out of abbey and down to bridge which is good over the crest....
Vale going round one of the hardest corners for braking on the GP circuit.
Stowe inside and outside,outside is great for panning but is quite far away so you need a big lens.
Luffield you can shoot them as they wind up for the pit straight and go round Woodcote.
Club where they are sweeping round the corner going upup to abbey coming out from Vale.
Priory great panning spot.
And Copse for that lap 1 shot.
Hope that helps.
Steve
P.S I will be up there too so may see you ;)
http://www.ssphotographywildlifeandmotorsport.moonfruit.co.uk/

Thanks Steve!

Plenty of info there - by the sounds of it Copse would be the best for the first lap (sort of obvious as it is the first corner).

But then it should be a rush to get to the other end of the circuit for the rest of the race. How long would you say that takes?
The race seems to be 30 laps - so can always miss few while moving from A to B.

Think it's from Abbey to Luffield that seems the 'best' places to be.. so will probably be there then - at least for Thursday.

Maybe the Club/Vale corner for some shots as well.

Plenty to take it here, many thanks and might see some of you there!
 
The problem with 30 minute or shorter races is that you cannot move that much! For the Britcar 500 (or last years 24hr race) there is plenty of time to move around.

To get from the inside of Bridge to the outside of Luffield takes a surprising amount of time. Got a bike?
 
The problem with 30 minute or shorter races is that you cannot move that much! For the Britcar 500 (or last years 24hr race) there is plenty of time to move around.

To get from the inside of Bridge to the outside of Luffield takes a surprising amount of time. Got a bike?


Yeah, just thought of that.
First 30 laps felt like a longish race - but 30 mins isn't much to get from A to B. I do have a bike - but won't fit to the car :bang:

Might just pick a spot for each of the three races - different each time. And be happy with that.
Could go to the practise sessions on Thursday to get a feel for the place..

Think the Britcar 500 is around 6 hours this year - but I doubt I'll be staying for that.. got basketball to cover (I can cover the whole court from a single spot :D ).
 
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