Brands Hatch Historics

[matt3001]

Off to Brands this weekend. Looks like the historics are using the GP circuit.

I am not that familiar with brands - where do people suggest the best places to stand to get decent on-track photos?

I am also heading down on the Saturday when it should be a bit quieter.

http://www.brandshatch.co.uk/calendar/2014/may/mas...

[norwichphoto]

Depends on the position of the Sun.

You've got the regular spots on the Indy circuit, top of druids, inside of druids, clearways camera hole in fence and paddock hill, but the catch fencing on the GP part of the circuit is generally waist high apart from a few spots, and hardly anyone ventures out there.

[Stuart Thompson]

Westfield seems a good place as the cars get quite close and there's no catch fencing.

[nre]

Depends how strong the sun is, but I usually start at the exit of Stirlings and walk against the direction of the cars and then do the outside of Druids for head on shots. As has already been said there is very little now on the indy circuit which doesn't have Jurassic style catch fencing the exit of druids from the inside being the exception.

[mistakenplane]

nre said:

Depends how strong the sun is, but I usually start at the exit of Stirlings and walk against the direction of the cars and then do the outside of Druids for head on shots. As has already been said there is very little now on the indy circuit which doesn't have Jurassic style catch fencing the exit of druids from the inside being the exception.

This.

Start by the bridge before Clearways, and walk against the flow around the GP loop. Hardly any catch fencing out there so you get clear shots and all will have nice trees and scenic backgrounds. Theres plenty of spots so you can avoid the same places everyone goes (bottom of Paddock, inside & outside Druids, outside of Stirlings).

[Dominic H]

I went last year, and took shots from all around the circuit.

This is Michael Lyons in the winning FW07 taken from the pit wall.



And the same leading the field through Pilgrims out onto the GP loop.



We had access to all areas, and as long as you weren't stupid or got in anyone's way, you were pretty much left to it. Stood on the pit wall with a DFV going past at full chat is a bargain for the 25 entrance fee!

I'll be there again this Sunday, hoping for another great day.

[andy97]

Dominic H said:

I went last year, and took shots from all around the circuit.

This is Michael Lyons in the winning FW07 taken from the pit wall.




We had access to all areas, and as long as you weren't stupid or got in anyone's way, you were pretty much left to it. Stood on the pit wall with a DFV going past at full chat is a bargain for the 25 entrance fee!

I'm surprised the Marshals didn't remove you - photography (indeed, spectating) from the pit wall is a no-no.

[zac510]

oh bks, I thought this was on Monday but it's only Saturday and Sunday!! Now I've already made plans for Saturday and Sunday

Was it on Mondays in the past?

[matt3001]

Dominic H said:

I went last year, and took shots from all around the circuit.

This is Michael Lyons in the winning FW07 taken from the pit wall.



And the same leading the field through Pilgrims out onto the GP loop.



We had access to all areas, and as long as you weren't stupid or got in anyone's way, you were pretty much left to it. Stood on the pit wall with a DFV going past at full chat is a bargain for the 25 entrance fee!

I'll be there again this Sunday, hoping for another great day.

Ah awesome. Hopefully on a wet saturday we will be allowed to roam. How busy does it get?

[Andy 308GTB]

matt3001 said:

Ah awesome. Hopefully on a wet saturday we will be allowed to roam. How busy does it get?

It's never that busy & access is always great at these meetings.

[mad4amanda]

plenty of good viewing and photo spots on the GP loop Try inside at Westfield or looking down on Hawthorns or in dingle dell no catch fencing and only a 4 wire fence and the cars are between 10 and 15 feet away The noise is awesome. F1 are out saturday and sunday , monday is indy circuit only but still will be very good event website:
http://brandshatchmastersfestival.com/index.php/ev...

Full timetable can be downloaded at the bottom of the page

[McSam]

Hmmmmm, I'm tempted to go down or this.. 25 to experience such machines at full chat is very tempting, especially if there's usually good access!

I suppose Sunday would be the best day?

[Dominic H]

McSam said:

Hmmmmm, I'm tempted to go down or this.. 25 to experience such machines at full chat is very tempting, especially if there's usually good access!

I suppose Sunday would be the best day?

The best 25 you're ever likely to spend, with your trousers on. Saturday is mainly qualifying with 5 races this afternoon. I live 8 miles from the circuit and it's raining, so today could be challenging (especially for the F1 boys).

Here's the timetable...

http://www.brandshatch.co.uk/media/2961686/masters...

Sunday is raceday, and the weather forecast is better. The access last year was very good, and I'm sure if you're sensible you should get to most places.

Sky+ the Monaco GP, and get along to Brands Hatch!

[McSam]

I have to admit, having the choice of days I kinda thought I'd stay at home today and use any breaks in the weather to work on my track car, rather than be outside getting drenched all day at Brands I bet seeing the F1 boys wrestle with the conditions would be great though.

Thanks for the tips, I'll head down tomorrow morning! If you see some young bloke in a PH shirt trying to get decent shots out of a crappy bridge camera, say hello

[Steveradford]

We were going to go today but decided yesterday after seeing the forecast to go on Sunday, looks like we made the right decision!
Looking forward to a good day, should be 25 well spent and worth a 200 mile drive in the morning!

Steve

[mad4amanda]

Today was absolutely incredible the noise was amazing and the car control fantastic and that was mainly qualifying.
The sound of the masters GTs ,Formula juniors and the HGPDA cars is enough then the F1 come out and its epic!
The sight of minis and Mustangs and other yanks dicing in the changing conditions with cortinas and the most sideways 911 I have ever seen through clearways.

[matt3001]

A few pics from today. Was also my first day with my 55-250 lens and my first ever attempt at panning.

I might have compressed the pics too much before uploading but lets see how they come out.

Edited by matt3001 on Saturday 24th May 21:53

[mad4amanda]

Well who went and what did you think?
For me it was the best Masters yet but I was in a very good place to see it all despite not getting time to walk round much.
Highlights for me were :
3 days of unadulterated car porn.
Sound of the F1, Hgpda, Larini Trophy and sportscars.
Sheer competitiveness of the racing through most of the classes .
The changeable weather mixing up the qualifying and the racing and allowing some epic little and large battles.
A lovely brabham BT6 and equally charming (and excitable)lady driver.
Lots of banter with spectators marshals the rest of the MSVR team and drivers.
Shattered now but a great 4 days (testing Friday)

[blaine54]

A great meeting, I can safely say the touring cars are my highlight on any race program at the moment and a mini is on the wish list. There was a massive shunt in the F1's, which looked like total brake failure out of clearways. The driver escaped unharmed but the car was on its side and a pretty scary moment from where I was sitting.

[72twink]

Sunday was a lovely day and the racing was fantastic. I'm quite pleased how this clip came out, shot blind on the Pilgrims/Hawthorn bridge with my GoPro on a pole to clear the high walls

Masters F1