WRC - New Zealand (56k warning)

[Nzshrimper]

Here is a few of my snapshots of the WRC as they made the annual pilgrimage to New Zealand. Access to the event was almost impossible, as was parking, finding good views, getting between the stages etc.

This year was the closest finish to a WRC event with only 0.3 second separating the first two. Marcus Gronholm held out to pick up the WRC - New Zealand win in his BP Focus RC. Followed by championship contender Sebastien Loeb in his Citroen Total C4 WRC.

next round - Spain


1.

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u185/nzshrimper/wrc6.jpg

2.

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u185/nzshrimper/wrc8.jpg

3.

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u185/nzshrimper/wrc7.jpg

4.

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u185/nzshrimper/wrc3-1.jpg

5.

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u185/nzshrimper/wrc41.jpg

6.

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u185/nzshrimper/wrc5.jpg

[michael_]

great shots chirs, which part of NZ do they use? i can only imagine how magnificent it would be

[boomerakl]

Fantastic shots Chris!

What was the issue with access?
I haven't been involved with the Rally for the past 7 years, but the stages that were used should have been spectator friendly. I'm interested in finding out whats changed.

[jbanbury]

Nice images Chris .. the colour saturation is way overdone though. Tone it down and you will have some crackers!

Just my opinion of course.

Cheers
Jay
http://www.rally-shots.com

[veteq]

great shorts, very sharp. The dirt flying in the air really added to the overall look of the pictures.

[smcclelland]

Excellent shots, I have to disagree about the oversaturation as I think you've saturated it just enough to bring some pop to the photo's that really makes them stand out. If you don't mind me asking what gear were you using at the event, looks like a blast :)

[wendyc]

I also dissagree, love the saturation. Fantastic shots Chris, worth the effort :D

[Nzshrimper]

great shots chirs, which part of NZ do they use? i can only imagine how magnificent it would be

Cheers
north island around hamilton and the waikato

Fantastic shots Chris!

What was the issue with access?
I haven't been involved with the Rally for the past 7 years, but the stages that were used should have been spectator friendly. I'm interested in finding out whats changed.

lack of leadership was the biggest problem - roads closed too early and not decent parking close to the stage - just a long walk from cars. With the walks and lack of parking very difficult to get from stages to another stage. However i did enjoy the event itself.

great shorts, very sharp. The dirt flying in the air really added to the overall look of the pictures.

cheers

Excellent shots, I have to disagree about the oversaturation as I think you've saturated it just enough to bring some pop to the photo's that really makes them stand out. If you don't mind me asking what gear were you using at the event, looks like a blast :)

gear consisted of a 300 f2.8 L lens, a 30d, legs (heaps of walking) 2x tc, a 17-85 mm usm f4 - 5.6, a 70 -200 2.8 L. however the shots in this tread are all using the 300 mm and the 30d...(some with tc)

I also dissagree, love the saturation. Fantastic shots Chris, worth the effort :D

Cheers wendy - the first picture may need a white balance adjustment.

[stratos]

very very nice, great set of pictures

its just a shame with all those New Zealand beautiful landscapes u didn't had a "wide" rally shot

still its great set =D

[Nzshrimper]

very very nice, great set of pictures

its just a shame with all those New Zealand beautiful landscapes u didn't had a "wide" rally shot

still its great set =D

i have a few of those but access was a bit crap so i had to make do with what we had - cheers thou....

[Moppie]

Fantastic shots Chris!

What was the issue with access?
I haven't been involved with the Rally for the past 7 years, but the stages that were used should have been spectator friendly. I'm interested in finding out whats changed.


What changed is they have dropped all of the northland and central north island stages.
i.e. all the stages that had excellent spectator access.
The event is now run entirely around the east coast between raglan and Port Waikato. Some of the least densely populated parts of the NI, with road access to match.
Top that off with a law change that means the WRC organisers now actually own the road during the event, and can, and do restrict access, along with stages built around narrow roads that are dangerous to walk down as there is no safe edge, usually just a bank either side, and a stage lay out that prevents spectators being able to do the traditional view a stage, skip a stage, view a stage, and you have on pain in the ass event to try and watch.



Didn't seem to stop making damn good use of that 300 though :)

[Davy O'Brien]

Great set of pictures, you certainly made the best of the poor conditions. Number 4 is my favourite.

Dave.

[thorpesdad]

Sorry for bumping the thread......

I was also at Rally NZ this year. My first WRC in over 10 years, so I've not got much to compare with, but I had a great time. We were able to do SS2 and 3 on Friday without any problems (save helping a spectator who spun his car on the way home after SS3).

Saturday I was out with one of the official tour mini-buses. We did SS6, 8 and 11. It was a bit chaotic the reasons being: 1) a huge number of people out 2) The easiest way out of some stages being through the stage 3) The Possum Bourne Rally pretty much doubling the field and meaning it took much longer to open the stage -making it difficult to move on (SS8 in particular) 4) Some inconsiderate double parking by a minority.

When we got to the spectator spots I was quite happy with them (besides the sun being dead in front and immense clouds of dust on SS11), but like a I say I've not got much to compare with. SS8 in particular the viewing spot gave you lots of scope for different shots.

I'd post some of my shots but I'm new to this motorsport lark and I've used a relatively fast shutter speed so I'm worried you'll all have a go about my 'frozen' wheels.....

[PlayMits]

Great photo's, very sharp.

[Echo63]

they all look great, maybe a teeny little bit over saturated

[khall]

A wee bit late coming on to this posting.
i like the pictures as posted colour's fine with me and focus spot on.

[Nzshrimper]

A wee bit late coming on to this posting.
i like the pictures as posted colour's fine with me and focus spot on.
better late than never.. ;) cheers....

[Jakkin]

Could you show me some shots taken by the 70-200mm L F2.8 IS please :)

Excellent shots mate.

[Moppie]

Could you show me some shots taken by the 70-200mm L F2.8 IS please :)

Excellent shots mate.


With Chris's lens?
I used it that day, if I remember I'll PP a couple when I get home.

[vogue]

...great shots.... love action dirt flying shots !!!...

[spidermanrbryce2006]

epic shots man