Monopostos, FPA and Northern Sports & Saloon Car Championship Racing

[Simon Harrison]

Late again. I've been somewhat busy this week, so it's only now I've had a chance to post up some pictures from Croft Circuit last weekend.

#1 The Northern Sports & Saloon Car (NSSCC) grid assembles for the final race of the weekend. This is also the closest I came to a landscape shot all weekend. The sky was too good an opportunity to miss!
http://www.srh-motorsport-photography.com/Galleries/forum/ddmc/ddmc7.jpg

#2 Quite a few competitors from Scotland made the trip down to Croft. Here's Peter Taddei in his Class B Ford Fiesta.
http://www.srh-motorsport-photography.com/Galleries/forum/ddmc/ddmc2.jpg

#3 The monoposto racing club returned to Croft, and were trying hard even in qualifying - a bit too hard at times....
http://www.srh-motorsport-photography.com/Galleries/forum/ddmc/ddmc6.jpg

#4 Some of the cars racing in the monoposto classes were superbly turned out and a real credit to the driver and the club.
http://www.srh-motorsport-photography.com/Galleries/forum/ddmc/ddmc5.jpg

#5 I've only ever seen the FPA on the TV before now, and they always seemed to be throwing themselves off the circuit. They had their moments at Croft as well.
http://www.srh-motorsport-photography.com/Galleries/forum/ddmc/ddmc8.jpg

#6 Back to the NSSCC which delivered the best racing of the weekend, particularly in the Class B, C, D and H races. Over thirty cars were entered, and the competition was really close. Here's a shot from Clervaux corner about half way through one of the races to show just how close the racing was.
http://www.srh-motorsport-photography.com/Galleries/forum/ddmc/ddmc1.jpg

#7 The variety of cars is great too - BMW, MG ZT.....
http://www.srh-motorsport-photography.com/Galleries/forum/ddmc/ddmc3.jpg

#8 I'll finish with the best looking car out there over the weekend - the ex Rikard Rydell Prodrive Ford Mondeo Supertourer.
http://www.srh-motorsport-photography.com/Galleries/forum/ddmc/ddmc4.jpg

All of the pictures were taken with a Canon 1D mk II and a Sigma 120-300 f2.8. As usual, any comments or feedback would be most welcome and very much appreciated.

For those that want to look, there's a full gallery on my website (link below).

http://srh-motorsport-photography.fotopic.net/

The FPA pictures have yet to be uploaded, but will go on over the next day or so. I've introduced a search facility for this gallery. Please feel free to have a play and let me know what you think. The 'Advanced Search' option is best is all you want to do is search for a specific car.

Cheers,

Simon.

[khall]

All quality pictures, but my pick is number 4 as being the best shot, its just got a nice sheen on the body and the red is not to red (if you know what I mean) being able to see the drivers face is also a plus.

[SuperDan]

Great shots Simon, I agree with you with 8# of the ex Rikard Rydell Prodrive Ford Mondeo Supertourer being the best looking car and a sure favorite of mine...Went to brands this month to see the LMA EuroSaloons rounds but the Mondeo wasnt there :(...

Danny

[andrewc]

I'll tell my chums in the mono club about your shots :)

Yes, they often are very well presented. Mono club is very friendly and is one of the cheapest forms of single seater motorsport.

[Baldingo540]

very nice shots!

[Simon Harrison]

All quality pictures, but my pick is number 4 as being the best shot, its just got a nice sheen on the body and the red is not to red (if you know what I mean) being able to see the drivers face is also a plus.

Thanks. That car was one of the prettiest and well presented cars at the circuit.

Cheers,

Simon.

[Dave_G]

Good work mate. 7 is dreamy.

Loving the Mondeo shot. I used my 120-3 all day yesterday minus fences, I couldn't beleive how sharp the images came out. Hand held too, I don't recommend 5 hours hand held with one. I'm back in love, even though I'm damaged!

[Simon Harrison]

Great shots Simon, I agree with you with 8# of the ex Rikard Rydell Prodrive Ford Mondeo Supertourer being the best looking car and a sure favorite of mine...Went to brands this month to see the LMA EuroSaloons rounds but the Mondeo wasnt there :(...

Danny

Cheers Danny :D.

There was a rumour going around that Croft might get to play host to the LMA EuroSaloons in 2008. That is one rumour I hope comes true.

Simon.

[Ian_H]

Very nice set Simon, good catch on the Monoposto and FPA and I too hope that the Eurosaloons get to Croft next year.


CHeers
Ian

[Simon Harrison]

I'll tell my chums in the mono club about your shots :)

Yes, they often are very well presented. Mono club is very friendly and is one of the cheapest forms of single seater motorsport.

Thanks Andrew :D!

There were certainly some very nice cars out there. The only pity was that things got fairly strung out over the duration of the 20 minute races. Great track time for the competitors though.

Cheers,

Simon.

[darren h]

Lovely shots again Simon. Like #5 the best but love the Rapid Fit Mondeo, awesome looking car :D

[Simon Harrison]

very nice shots!


Thanks!

Simon

[GSH]

There was a rumour going around that Croft might get to play host to the LMA EuroSaloons in 2008. That is one rumour I hope comes true.




Fingers X'd for that. The only other Race series i'd put on my Wish list for Croft is the Heritage Grand Touring Car Challenge...

A fine selection as usual Simon. Nice timing on the Duelling Mono's ;)

[Simon Harrison]

Good work mate. 7 is dreamy.

Loving the Mondeo shot. I used my 120-3 all day yesterday minus fences, I couldn't beleive how sharp the images came out. Hand held too, I don't recommend 5 hours hand held with one. I'm back in love, even though I'm damaged!

Cheers Dave :D.

You only managed 5 hours ?!?! True what they say about you southerners then :p:lol::lol:.

Cheers,

Simon,.

[Simon Harrison]

Very nice set Simon, good catch on the Monoposto and FPA and I too hope that the Eurosaloons get to Croft next year.


CHeers
Ian

Thanks Ian. Hopefully see you at the weekend.

Simon.

[Picturesports]

Nice work Simon. If #4 does end up on the driver or sponsors office wall they have no taste .... or no budget :rolleyes:

Looking at your images and Ian_h's - both taken on the same day - what is the difference in the post processing work between the two?

[Simon Harrison]

Looking at your images and Ian_h's - both taken on the same day - what is the difference in the post processing work between the two?

Hi Dave. Thanks for the comments on the pictures. Ian's pictures were taken on a mk III and mine were taken on a mk II. I don't know what PP Ian does on his pictures, but this is what I do.

The shots were all taken in RAW with -1/3 EV. They are then processed in Phase 1, where I do a tweak to exposure, and add in a little contrast and saturation, as well as applying some sharpening. They are then exported ready for use on my website. I don't do anything other than that for images destined for the internet.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,

Simon.

[andrewc]

Whats wrong with 4? Thats next years McLaren in testing - its all they can afford!!!

Geoff Fern races two cars in the mono series - this Formula Ford, but also a more modern F3 2 litre car with full wings and aero kit. Both are very nicely prepared in the McLaren style livery.

[mike ca]

Thanks #3 is way cool! #4/5 are sweet!!! Great Work!

[Picturesports]

Make that "Nice work Simon. If #4 does'nt end up on the driver or sponsors office wall they have no taste .... or no budget"

oops ...

[Picturesports]

Really sorry about the typo :oops:

[andrewc]

lol, that cleared it up :)

[petrolhead]

Great set of photos Simon

Is Phase 1 the software or the manufacturer?

[andrewc]

Phase One - publisher
Capture One - software - various versions

[petrolhead]

Cheers Andrew, did a search on the forum. Downloaded a copy of Capture One v4.

How does this software compare to Raw Shooter?

[andrewc]

I prefer Rawshooter for its batch processing system.

I have a spare genuine license code for Capture One LE if you want it - Sandisk were giving out free license codes with purchases on CF cards, and I've got one spare, so if you like it, you can have it...