Houston Grand Prix - American Le Mans

[John Thawley]

This track was an embarassment to sports car racing. I use the word "track" loosely in-as-much as it was done in a parking lot.

From the location to the promotion and overall execution it was a complete joke.

Thankfully, the cars are gorgeous... so,here's my meager offering from the weekend.

JT


http://community.automotivephoto.net/photopost/data/500/thaw_12225.jpg

http://community.automotivephoto.net/photopost/data/500/thaw_12224.jpg

http://community.automotivephoto.net/photopost/data/500/thaw_12207.jpg

http://community.automotivephoto.net/photopost/data/500/thaw_12192.jpg

http://community.automotivephoto.net/photopost/data/500/thaw_12197.jpg

http://community.automotivephoto.net/photopost/data/500/thaw_12193.jpg

http://community.automotivephoto.net/photopost/data/500/thaw_12201.jpg

http://community.automotivephoto.net/photopost/data/500/thaw_12198.jpg

[wannabe_at_glamis]

Love #6 with the sparks flying from the undercarriage!

[chrisvw]

Hi John,

I have to agree with you about the track. From what I have seen of it on the TV it’s not much. But you have taken some excellent shots from the event.

I would love to one day come over and shoot the American Le Mans series. It is for me one of the best motorsport series in the world to shoot.

Chris

[rich_cooper]

love image 6 also like 1 and 4 alot

[castaneda]

Very Nice! :)

[jaglad]

Nice series,great panning work

Dave

[John Thawley]

Hi John,

I have to agree with you about the track. From what I have seen of it on the TV it’s not much. But you have taken some excellent shots from the event.

I would love to one day come over and shoot the American Le Mans series. It is for me one of the best motorsport series in the world to shoot.

Chris

Agreed... I love shooting the ALMS.

Thanks,

JT

[Bosscat]

You did an excellent job of making the ugly dissappear.

[dsky]

I was there all three days, and yea, the track needs some changing to make it more interesting.

The best race of the weekend by far was the ALMS race, I'm still going through all my raw's, so I don't have much to show for it yet.

[Joffan]

Damn you're good.

Excellent work

[John Thawley]

yea, the track needs some changing to make it more interesting.


Like get out of Houston? Or maybe go downtown Houston and locate it someplace interesting. I think the race is an embarassment... it's like a carnival at a low brow shopping center.

JT

[looop]

Love them :D

[John Thawley]

Love them :D

Thanks!

[bullitt_60]

Wonderful shots John! I'm so tired of watching street races though and am looking forward to seeing your work at a proper ciruit.

[John Thawley]

Wonderful shots John! I'm so tired of watching street races though and am looking forward to seeing your work at a proper ciruit.

Ain't that the truth??? I'm feeling a little clostrophobic.

JT

[SnowManZ]

SKILLZ!

[mogearnotalent]

awesome

[dsky]

Like get out of Houston? Or maybe go downtown Houston and locate it someplace interesting. I think the race is an embarassment... it's like a carnival at a low brow shopping center.

JT

They could stay in Houston, but just use MSR.

http://www.msrhouston.com/msrhouston/track.asp

I don't think, however, they could go back to racing downtown anymore, there's WAY too much construction on the roads, and it never seems to end. Atleast when I'm down there, that is.

[John Thawley]

They could stay in Houston, but just use MSR.

http://www.msrhouston.com/msrhouston/track.asp

I don't think, however, they could go back to racing downtown anymore, there's WAY too much construction on the roads, and it never seems to end. Atleast when I'm down there, that is.

At first glance, the track looks a little too narrow. Plus it lacks the necessary ammentities ... grand stands, media center... etc. etc. I'm not sure how the place would handle 30-40 thousand fans over a three day period.

Looks to have potential though.

JT

[dsky]

Well, it's a REAL racetrack. Haha, and that's what the Houston stop needs.

I still think they can make an interesting street course in that parking lot, I think they just need a little more room. I dont know, we'll see next year.

[John Thawley]

Well, it's a REAL racetrack. Haha, and that's what the Houston stop needs.

I still think they can make an interesting street course in that parking lot, I think they just need a little more room. I dont know, we'll see next year.

It's not just the matter of room. The track surface is horrendous. The location is completely featurless and utterly forgetable. It's not up to the standard deserving of these cars of this form of racing. The facilities are deplorable and the organization is... well it isn't. Seriously, they throw up some grandstands, move some "k" wall and fencing and call it a race track. And their ability to communicate with their works and volunteers is non-existant. There were security people on Saturday night that still had no clue regarding credentialed access. We had shooters in permanent IMSA photo vests and displaying hard-cards being told they weren't allowed to be trackside. This was DURING the race.

In the end, I blame the ALMS. They have no business being there.

JT

[John Thawley]

Well, it's a REAL racetrack. Haha, and that's what the Houston stop needs.

I still think they can make an interesting street course in that parking lot, I think they just need a little more room. I dont know, we'll see next year.

Just curious... what tracks do you like shooting at? Do you have a favorite?

JT

[Croasdail]

It's not just the matter of room. The track surface is horrendous. The location is completely featurless and utterly forgetable. It's not up to the standard deserving of these cars of this form of racing. The facilities are deplorable and the organization is... well it isn't. Seriously, they throw up some grandstands, move some "k" wall and fencing and call it a race track. And their ability to communicate with their works and volunteers is non-existant. There were security people on Saturday night that still had no clue regarding credentialed access. We had shooters in permanent IMSA photo vests and displaying hard-cards being told they weren't allowed to be trackside. This was DURING the race.

In the end, I blame the ALMS. They have no business being there.

JT

Your first point there about it being featureless, that is kinda what I said to myself when I looked at these images the first time - they are still the great pictures of cars but there is nothing there to give them context or place then anywhere in particular. And I don't say that as a critique of your work, but rather just a statement that this really is a nothing location. It didn't work in DC, and it didn't work in Houston either. I understand trying to make the race more visible to the public to get more awareness and interest, but you pretty much negate any positive effect gained but putting it in a parking lot. ALMS fans will travel large distances to support the racing, but I for one would spend a whole lot of money or effort to go see a race in a parking lot. If anyone is going to in a parking lot, it will be me... it's a silly concept that needs to stop until they can find venues that really jump out at ya.

[dsky]

Just curious... what tracks do you like shooting at? Do you have a favorite?

JT

Probably Road America, or one of my local tracks, Summit Point.

I enjoyed the DC ALMS race, well, mostly because I was so close to it.

I'm going to Road America this August for the Champ Car/ALMS event. Maybe I'll get that 2.8. :o

[John Thawley]

Probably Road America, or one of my local tracks, Summit Point.

I enjoyed the DC ALMS race, well, mostly because I was so close to it.

I'm going to Road America this August for the Champ Car/ALMS event. Maybe I'll get that 2.8. :o

Bring the 2.8 and an extender. LOL That is one long track with pretty decent run-off areas. It's going to be interesting to see how it will look without the crossover car bridge coming into the paddock. That made for a pretty nice shot in the morning.

I'm kind of big on Road Atlanta. It's a nice size and has some real nice spots where the cars stack up .... especially coming down the hill into the esses.. lated day it's a gorgeous shot.

While Laguna is not what it used to be, it's still a great track.

Utah (Miller) and Barber Motorsport in Birmingham are interesting tracks. Barber is beautiful... but not the best shooting to my mind. They're both Alan Wilson desgined tracks. He tends to want to put as much linear running surface as he can in the given area. Hence you wind up with what I call stadium style tracks. The track tends to run back and forth so you have cars traveling through your viewfinder in different directions at the same time. It also means the corner worker stations, tv scaffolds, porta-toilets and everything else tend to stack up in the photo. You just need to think them through.

Of course, after the last three races (street) with 150-200 photographers fighting over 5 or 6 photo holes, I'll be happy to get out and "make" some pictures. :)

JT

[michael_]

awesome shots john