Touring Car at Brands Hatch 4th Oct

DC2Z

DC2Z

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Darren
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I was hoping someone could help, I'm due to go to The British Touring Car Championship at Brands Hatch on 4th October and this is my 1st time and just needed some advice on which is the best lens to take?

I should be sitting around 'Grandstand Seating - Desire Wilson' section if this helps
 
300mm f2.8, or 500mm f4 would be nice.
 
Would my Sony Alpha 75-300mm F4.5-5.6 Lens cut it?
 
DC2Z said:
Would my Sony Alpha 75-300mm F4.5-5.6 Lens cut it?
Click to expand...

Never used one, you'l be at full range to out focus the fences, but id have thought you get some shots in
 
I think you'll be at full reach, you'll be better off getting closer to the track, there is a good spot at the last corner before the straight, no fences and you are reasonably close to the track.

Question for others: I've only been when the Indy circuit has been used, on the 4th they are using the GP circuit, are there any good spots around the back of the circuit ? No media pass, so with the rest of the punters!
 
your lens should be fine.
just dont sit in the grand stand taking the same shots all day.. get out and about on the circuit.
go into the grand prix loop where you can avoid the crowds and get clearer shots.
 
are there any good spots around the back of the circuit
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Most are OK, but the best places on the Brands GP part of the track for me are:
  • Hawthorn Hill - inside track - the high embankment there looks down on the track onto the cars coming under the bridge
  • Hawthorn Bend - inside - good position for close-ups on the bend
  • Westfield Bend - inside - fast approaches and close-ups

Motorsport Vision map: http://www.motorsportvision.co.uk/images/circuits/brands-circuit-large.pdf

Ed
 
thanks for the tips! I figured out in the GP loop will be a bit quieter, I will try and check out the Hawthorns/Westfield.

Far as my earlier reference goes I was talking about clearways, both on the outside of the corner itself and the car side of the track before..
 
My advice would be to get out of the stands, try as many different places as you car. If the Touring Cars are your main point of interest you can always use the support races to try different locations for your shots.

Have fun, I love going to the BTCC races. COME ON TURKINGTON!!!! :D:D:D
 
Pfft. Giovanardi's time is over! The Vectra let him down badly at the Rock. I'm no BMW fan, but would love to see one of the former ZS drivers win it. Go on Turks! :clap:
 
the BMWS are quicker for sure have have been for most of the season.. but then a 3 year old car with no development for this year its no wonder the Vectra is falling behind..
He did okay at the rock, but Turkington had bad luck (poor quali, race 1&2).
Herbert stuffed Gio up in race 3 and that hurt.
I expect Plato to get in the way of both of them! In fact all the chevys can upset the party..

Will be trying to get pics of the Vectras and Gio before they disappear..
 
Edward Bancroft said:
Most are OK, but the best places on the Brands GP part of the track for me are:
  • Hawthorn Hill - inside track - the high embankment there looks down on the track onto the cars coming under the bridge
  • Hawthorn Bend - inside - good position for close-ups on the bend
  • Westfield Bend - inside - fast approaches and close-ups

Motorsport Vision map: http://www.motorsportvision.co.uk/images/circuits/brands-circuit-large.pdf

Ed
Click to expand...

Ed tells you what you need to know:thumbs:. Some other tips...

You can also do the outside of Hawthorn but will be at the extremes with 300mm. Very good early in the morning as the sun will be over your shoulder. It's a bit of a trek out here though and you can't walk any further round the outside.

Surtees takes a different look on the GP circuit. Another good place for early morning shots as the cars head into the light.

Exit of Stirlings is fab if the sun is out. Works much better late in the day.

Should be a great weekend's racing. I personally can't wait.
 
If you want to watch the racing, Desiree Wilson is as good as any to enjoy the show from.

If you want to take photos, get on your feet and go hunting out the back. Make sure you've got everything you need with you (food, drink, waterproofs, sunblock, shark repellent) because there is b****r all out there! You might also want one their radios so you can hear whats going on, because there is no PA. The Brands radio broadcast is on a an odd frequency, if you don't have an airband type receiver you'll need one of their 5 quid radio headsets...

Anyway if we are cheering people on already in this thread, come on Plato... or Herbert ;-)

See you there on Sunday, its going to be a belter!
 
Edward Bancroft said:
Most are OK, but the best places on the Brands GP part of the track for me are:
  • Hawthorn Hill - inside track - the high embankment there looks down on the track onto the cars coming under the bridge
  • Hawthorn Bend - inside - good position for close-ups on the bend
  • Westfield Bend - inside - fast approaches and close-ups

Motorsport Vision map: http://www.motorsportvision.co.uk/images/circuits/brands-circuit-large.pdf

Ed
Click to expand...

How can you get to the inside of the track? I assume you get to the pits and I assume Mclaren would be closed off, so you can head up towards Hawthorn, Westfield, etc?
 
Got my tickets, can't wait :)

I'll be cheering on the Chevy's :P
 
Lester said:
How can you get to the inside of the track? I assume you get to the pits and I assume Mclaren would be closed off, so you can head up towards Hawthorn, Westfield, etc?
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Easy! From outisde of Druids, cross the bridge and turn left on the other side, keep following the track (which is on your left) or from Clearways cross the bridge and then keep the track on your right - you can walk all the way around as a member of the public, no problem!

Most of out the back has no debris fences, so plenty of chances for a good shot!
 
desantnik said:
Easy! From outisde of Druids, cross the bridge and turn left on the other side, keep following the track (which is on your left) or from Clearways cross the bridge and then keep the track on your right - you can walk all the way around as a member of the public, no problem!

Most of out the back has no debris fences, so plenty of chances for a good shot!
Click to expand...

Thanks. I didn't realise there was bridges up there. I think I'll investigate. Whenever I've been before it hasn't been the GP circuit. I'll be the one in a Vauxhall team shirt cheering on Giovanardi, with a Nikon. Say hello, I won't bite.
 
Meant to add, if you want the outside of Hawthorn, from the outside of Druids just turn left before the bridge and keep the track on your right... keep going all the way down Pilgrims drop and at the top of the hill is Hawthorn and a marshall's post. Nice and quiet there and plenty of good action in the range of 300-500mm on a APS-C crop.
 
I'm intending to be somewhere near Hawthorn for Saturday morning practise - to catch Johnny Herbert getting past the bridge for the first time in 20 years :D

Oh there's going to be some fun. Think of all those nutters in the Clios, G50s and Juniors trying to negotiate the GP circuit, a lot of them for the first time. I have a feeling Clark Curve will catch a few out, it's a hell of a difference between coming out of Mclaren and and braking at the end of Clearways.
 
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