Monza circuit in Italy - who has been?

[13inches]

Stealing another recent thread, I'm going to be at the Monza circuit for this weekend's F1 race. Saturday and Sunday I'll be in the grandstand seats entering Parabolica so I'm not expecting too many brilliant shots, but I've got Friday penned as the day to get around and shoot as much of the track as I can.

Any tips or advice from those who have done Monza before? Is the entire track walk-able?

[Lowner]

Your seats entering the Parabolica used to be pretty good for photography. If you can get closer to the fence then you should be OK.

I've been twice, once sitting at the first chicane (very boring, no photo chances at all) and the second chicane (much better for photography).

Walking around the inside of the track is straightforward except that when we were there EVERYBODY was forced down a narrow tunnel (we are talking thousands of people) near the pits complex. Very dangerous, very frightening. If you or anyone of your group are clostrophobic, don't attemp it. I do not know what access around the outside is like, although I did spot photographers shooting on the outside of the second chicane. While you are there, try and get to the old banking - its amazing!

If you are prepared, as many of the regulars are, you can climb the chain link fencing and fasten a wooden platform at high level for a better view from the trackside. Some of these structures are made of scaffold tubes and are better equiped than my house, with TV, Satellite dish, cool boxes, etc.

[13inches]

Well, I won't be doing any fence climbing, that's for sure! I'd like to know a little more about the "old banking" that you speak of though!

I worked out all of the train/bus schedules today and it looks like it should be a snap. The pit-walk is tomorrow afternoon, I can't wait!!

[Lowner]

The Monza track is built in a royal park full of trees and was originally a banked oval track, like Goodwood and others. Some of the existing track follows the original (I believe the Parabolica is one end of the original with the concrete banking removed). However there are sections of the original banking still there. Its amazing to stand at the bottom gazing up at the upper/outer edge of the track which is way up amonst the tree tops.

When I was there the first time, there were signs everywhere saying (in Italian obviously) "do not enter" - "go away" - "danger", etc. But a Policeman, complete with dog, actually pulled the barbed wire fence down so we could get onto the banking for a good look.

[DC Fan]

Google Maps has a good aerial view (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=monza+autodrome&ie=UTF8&mrt=kmlkmz&t=h&ll=45.61779,9.290571&spn=0.016509,0.038452&z=15) of l'Autodromo di Monza.

Along with the road course, there's a high-banked oval track, no longer used, that is part of the Monza complex. In 1957 and 1958, cars from the Indianapolis 500 raced Grand Prix and sports cars in the "Race of Two Worlds." (http://www.ddavid.com/formula1/2worlds.htm) The Monza (http://www.monzanet.it/eng/Default.aspx) oval and road course also were used as a single track for the Italian GP in the 1960's. Racing fans of a certain age will recall the use of the combined Monza road and oval circuit in the influential 1966 racing movie Grand Prix. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Prix_%28film%29)

[Dan-o]

Any tips or advice from those who have done Monza before?

Don't put any money on Hamilton to win, the FIA will just give it to Ferrari anyways. :)

[13inches]

I've looked over the google map numerous times now, trying to figure out how to get around to and from various spots. I had no idea that the old oval was "high-banked" like the NASCAR ones though.

As for the history of the oval I guess I need to click those links when I get some time. I'm an 80s child, so I know about Mario, Emerson, Ayrton and Nelson ... but none of this 50s and 60s stuff you speak of :)

[13inches]

Don't put any money on Hamilton to win, the FIA will just give it to Ferrari anyways. :)
At first, I was like booooo!











But then I was like LOL!

[Dan-o]

I'm a big Ferrari fan and hate Mclaren, but Hamilton was robbed at Spa plain and simple.

[Lowner]

I hear the FIA has earned itself a new name: Ferrari International Assistance! Whats up with Raikkonen? He just gave it away to Hamilton. Please come back Michael, both current drivers are idiots.

[13inches]

Ok, back on subject for a minute.....

Richard, is the the tunnel of your nightmares?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v727/13inches/Tunnel.jpg


And one other little teaser of the fun I had at Monza today:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v727/13inches/PitLane.jpg

[Lowner]

Yup, looks like it. Imagine if you will 50 thousand Italian F1 fans pushing and shoving their way through IN BOTH DIRECTIONS at the same time! I'm a Brit, I have a strong sense of my own "personal space" which others invade at their peril.

[neilattopspeedtuning]

i am a little late in getting tix, but my lodging is confirmed.

all aside, how about camera gear? i'll MOST def bring my 70-200 f2.8 Sigma non IS, Canon 28-135 f?.? - f?.? with me and maybe my 10-20 sigma or 24-75 sigma lenses with me.

my question is that will my camera, a 40d, with 70-200 f2.8 be ok with me? so that when i do the pit walk thru on friday similar to
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v727/13inches/PitLane.jpg,

i can get up and close tight pictures? haaaaalp!!!!!!!!

[Lowner]

The 70-200 will do the job during the pit walk, but for track shots you really need at least 400mm with a 1.4x converter for extra flexibility. Any good hire shops near you?

[neilattopspeedtuning]

Bump! Anyone here going to Monza next weekend? Post up--maybe we can meet up.....LMK....my tix should be here by tomorrow afternoon!