So I might be going to Donington Park (BTCC)

Bendihossan

Bendihossan

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As the title says, I might be going to the BTCC race at Donington Park this September because it's my birthday that weekend and I'm going to nag the misses to get me tickets until I loose my voice :D Anyway, assuming I am going (and I won't be getting a media pass as I have no media background) where is the best place in the spectator's section to get photos from? At the moment I'm looking at the exits of Mcleans and Coppice and the shots I'm after are anything from flat out panning to action under breaking.

Post your shots, advice, critcisms and make sure to label your shots with which corner it was taken from/of please :thumbs:
 
Good Luck, I thought that as the track had been dug up, there was no racing at the moment, I am probably wrong though.
 
Donnington is scheduled to re-open in August, subject to repair work being completed and John Symes giving them a track licence.
 
Will they be using the same track is the question. I heard somewhere that it was changing slightly.
If it remains the same as it was then it was a nightmare getting any decent places to shoot from that would not include fencing in shots except for Melbourne hairpin. The problem with that corner is it is slow being a hairpin and you have to get there incredibly early to beat everyone else.
 
there's a grandstand at the car's entrance to the pits at the top of the start/finish straight, which is good for shots of the pits pre/post race as well as starts of races - normally plenty of room up there too.

There's also a raised mound at the Old Hairpin that gives a good view of the cars coming down Craner Curves, into the Old Hairpin and under Starkey's Bridge - high enough to be able to shoot above the fence - just need to make sure you've got a long enough lens - 250mm on a crop sensor is about the shortest you can get away with

Some shots from last year's BTCC here - http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/danskinner73/BTCCDoningtonMay09?feat=directlink - taken on a 450D with a 55-250mm lens
 
danski said:
there's a grandstand at the car's entrance to the pits at the top of the start/finish straight, which is good for shots of the pits pre/post race as well as starts of races - normally plenty of room up there too.

There's also a raised mound at the Old Hairpin that gives a good view of the cars coming down Craner Curves, into the Old Hairpin and under Starkey's Bridge - high enough to be able to shoot above the fence - just need to make sure you've got a long enough lens - 250mm on a crop sensor is about the shortest you can get away with

Some shots from last year's BTCC here - http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/danskinner73/BTCCDoningtonMay09?feat=directlink - taken on a 450D with a 55-250mm lens
Click to expand...

Cheers for that, I'll take a look and compare against the map now :thumbs:
 
I'm liking the shots you have of them through the craner curves Dan but shooting 300mm on full frame might be a bit short up there. Do you reckon It's possible to shoot the Old Hairpin from Starkey's bridge? Don't know if that's no accessible by the public and if not what about the hilly bit by there or is that not visible over the fence?
 
It is brilliant news to see that donington will re open it is one of my most local tracks and I have many excellent photos from there.
Here is a quote from the BBC website.
"Steve Whatton, operations manager for the Adroit Group, said: "There will be an opening event at the circuit on 1st September but this is obviously subject to the Motorsports Association approving our work.

"The first event would be on the 3rd, 4th and 5th of September, which is historic Formula 1 cars, which would be quite poignant in the light of what has happened over the past few months."

The company, which primarily deals in construction and property investment, said not only would the track need repairing but the buildings and facilities would have to be upgraded.

The landmark Dunlop bridge, a giant half-tyre which spanned the track, will also be reinstated but at a short distance from the main area. "

There are now at least 4 events scheduled including the British Touring Cars.

Looking forward to them.
 
Bendihossan said:
I'm liking the shots you have of them through the craner curves Dan but shooting 300mm on full frame might be a bit short up there. Do you reckon It's possible to shoot the Old Hairpin from Starkey's bridge? Don't know if that's no accessible by the public and if not what about the hilly bit by there or is that not visible over the fence?
Click to expand...

You can cross over the track using Starkey's bridge (or at least you could), but it's covered over so no good for taking pics unfortunately.

300mm on your 5D should probably be just about enough to take pics of the cars coming down Craner Curves if you stand on the mound by the Old Hairpin (look at focal length of my pics) - don't forget you can crop a little too. Up to 400mm would be better, but not the end of the world if you can't get that reach.

Wikipedia's got a good map of the circuit to get your bearings if you need it.

Love shooting the BTCC there as it's very relaxed with regards to walking around the back of the pits - you can even poke your head into most of the garages if you're a little cheeky!

Let me know if you're going - I most probably will be too as it's only 20mins down the road from me, so happy to show you some of the spots I've used.
 
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