Tempest Rally 2006 - Where were you all!!

[AzzA]

Took a trip down the woods on Saturday for the South of England Tempest Rally. Did the "Longmoor" stages and "Weaver Down" as it's litterally on my doorstep.

During the week I bought a Canon 70-200 F2.8 & 1.4TC off a fellow member here. I used the 70-200 for the first time and thought it perfomed ok. Think it will take some getting used to though. I'm not much of a rally togger (only my second time) but obviously it's completely different to circuit racing. The cars only pass once (or twice) and the light is always changing. I find it challenging but enjoyable at the same time - because it's something different.

Anyway, seems as though there were a few POTN'ers at the rally... how was the viewing down Yately, Warren, Ash etc? I didn't fancy the chavs nicking my wheels and bricking my windows :p


Anyway here's a few compressed "forum friendly sized" photos... First 3 are from the morning, last 2 in the afternoon...

#1 Concentrate on those pace notes!
http://www.ae-photography.co.uk/forums/BRC_Tempest_Rally_111106_AE_2742_Small.jpg

#2 I'm always partial to a 205 GTi ;)
http://www.ae-photography.co.uk/forums/BRC_Tempest_Rally_111106_AE_2755_Small.jpg

#3 :)
http://www.ae-photography.co.uk/forums/BRC_Tempest_Rally_111106_AE_2757_Small.jpg

#4 Little bit of opposite lock...
http://www.ae-photography.co.uk/forums/BRC_Tempest_Rally_111106_AE_2827_Small.jpg

#5 I better get out the way!!
http://www.ae-photography.co.uk/forums/BRC_Tempest_Rally_111106_AE_2889_Small.jpg

If you would like you can view more and larger versions here - http://www.ae-photography.co.uk/111106.html (be patient it can take a few seconds to fully load)

At about 3.30pm the light was starting to fade quickly and high ISO was the order of the day. The 2.8 lens definately helped, my 100-400 was a nono even at ISO3200. Still all cars finished just in time before flash would've been needed.

I'd like to know what you think of the autofocus on the Canon 70-200? I found it a little bit wanting at times... even compared to my 100-400. Probably just need to get used to it.

On Sunday (yesterday) I was also at Brands Hatch for the Formula Palmer Audi Autumn Trophy (included T-Cars & Open Sports). I've not resized any for the forum but if you want to look a small gallery is here - http://www.ae-photography.co.uk/121106.html

As ever C&C welcome

Cheers

[Ves]

Hey UkF1 :P
So that's Owain's 70-200, correct? Looks like it takes nice pictures.
I like your style. All of the cars are kind of "in your face", you know?

[Cadwell]

Nice work, Az. I was lurking on Warren 1 and Yateley 2.

[Dave_G]

good stuff Az, we were at Warren 1 & 2

[Crappy Snapper]

Looks like you had some tough lighting conditions to deal with, especially off the windscreens.

Would prefer to see a little more sense of motion. Tricky when they are nearly head-on. Shame the first & last ones appear to be parked up in country lanes.

[AzzA]

Thanks guys.

Yeh they could do with more "sense of speed", I've got a lot to learn with rally photography. Preperation is even more important than usual.

I don't think 3/4 or head-on's work so well unless it's a 90 degree or hairpin bend... then you get gravel flicking up more. Overally I am happier with my photos compared to last year but I still want to do much more.

Roll on the Sunseeker :)

[urbandancer]

I like the low angle ones