Anybody here shoot VIR?

[tomcat360]

Just wondering if anybody here shoots at Virginia Interntional Raceway in southern VA. I don't really shoot motorsports but it is not too far from me these days. Any idea the requirements to shoot or if there is a decent place to shoot from without credentials?

Thanks for dealing with the extremely noobish post.

[Rich@silvaspot.com]

I have recently relocated to the Northern Virginia area. I too am interested in VIR. A family friend attends for a few races each season, but he is not a photo-guy, just a car guy.

I was just breaking into the motorsport arena back in Vegas. Now I am an east-coaster and have to start all over again. Thought VIR would be a good starting place.

I will continue to pursue VIR, and if I find any tid-bit of intel, I will surely post!

Good Luck!

Rich
http://www.silvaspot.com/gallery/d/4667-2/MG_1994.jpg

[Croasdail]

VIR has a lot of really good vantage points to shoot - though it does favor long glass. It is wide open, with room to roam. It is very much a pastoral track. Paddock is very simple, no grand stands. But it does provide some nice sight lines. The big events are Rolex Series and the Big Kahuna (sp?) series that comes through. The also host a bunch of SCCA events and manufacture days. NASCAR also does some road track testing on the track late spring.

These are from VIR

http://www.pbase.com/atravelor/image/79655551.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/atravelor/image/79655571.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/atravelor/image/79655648.jpg

[tomcat360]

Thanks for the info! Should I just show up and shoot from the spectator area or shold I contact the management before hand?

[Croasdail]

I have never shot with a vest there... though they seem to give them out freely. I don't think you need one, in most cases you are shooting just feet from the "pro" location. But it can't hurt to ask, worst they will say is no.

[NeherPhoto]

I shoot there all the time, there are plenty of good spots on both sides of the fence.

[NeherPhoto]

some shots from VIR from this last year, I only had credentials on the first set:

http://picasaweb.google.com/NEHERPHOTO/ChargeOfTheHeadlightBrigade#

http://picasaweb.google.com/NEHERPHOTO/AMAVIR#

http://picasaweb.google.com/NEHERPHOTO/HeacockGoldCupVIR#

http://picasaweb.google.com/NEHERPHOTO/RolexGrandAmVIR#

http://picasaweb.google.com/NEHERPHOTO/SCCAOakTreeNationalVIR02#

http://picasaweb.google.com/NEHERPHOTO/SCCAOakTreeNationalsVIR#

http://picasaweb.google.com/NEHERPHOTO/JettaTDIInaugaralEvent#

[Rich@silvaspot.com]

I am hoping to get there April 24th. I'll be brining my 5DMII and 70-200 lens. Do you think that is enough glass? Should I rent something bigger for the weekend?

Any advice would be great!

Thanks,

Rich

[Rich@silvaspot.com]

I am hoping to get there April 24th. I'll be brining my 5DMII and 70-200 lens. Do you think that is enough glass? Should I rent something bigger for the weekend?

Any advice would be great!

Thanks,

Rich


Okay...back from VIR, and all I can say is...I had a great time. The track is great, with good visibility on both sides of the fence. I agree with the previous post, a 300-500mm lens would be ideal. I made out okay with my 70-200 and my 5DmII. The large sensor allowed me to crop a few of the shots for a tighter look.

Go if you can, I'm glad I did!

Rich

http://www.silvaspot.com/gallery/d/16568-5/VIR-Race-Web15.JPG

http://www.silvaspot.com/gallery/d/16523-5/VIR-Practice-Web07.JPG

[Dennis Valet]

Sorry I missed this post- I found that for the majority of the day (except early morning and evening) that the turn 4 complex was pretty good for head on and 3/4 shots.

The rollercoaster is pretty good for a number of different angles

The oaktree is a classic shot, but I didn't like the fences there....also the lighting was a pain

[Rich@silvaspot.com]

Sorry I missed this post- I found that for the majority of the day (except early morning and evening) that the turn 4 complex was pretty good for head on and 3/4 shots.

The rollercoaster is pretty good for a number of different angles

The oaktree is a classic shot, but I didn't like the fences there....also the lighting was a pain

Dennis...I agree with everything you said. I got most of my good shots coming out of turn three and into four. As for the Oak Tree, I had the privilege of having credentials, so the fence was not an issue, but the lighting was difficult. I really liked the roller-coaster, but I didn't have enough "Glass" to really make it work. I tried my 2x converter onto my 70-200 IS, but the reduction in sharpness killed any good shots. You should see the other threads:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=684054
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=325181

I have also placed some other at:
http://www.silvaspot.com/gallery/main.php

I would love to see some of your work! You should post some on the above two threads!

Cheers!
Rich

[Dennis Valet]

Here's some shots I got from VIR, it was my first time there and my first time using my new 100-400L. On an XS body

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v213/captainhardcore/VIR/
#1
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v213/captainhardcore/VIR/IMG_2140.jpg

#2
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v213/captainhardcore/VIR/IMG_1685.jpg

#3
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v213/captainhardcore/VIR/IMG_1976.jpg

#4
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v213/captainhardcore/VIR/IMG_1182.jpg

Gotta photoshop this last one!

#5
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v213/captainhardcore/VIR/IMG_2354.jpg

[Rich@silvaspot.com]

I really like #2. Tight and sharp! Good Job.

[HeathNC]

VIR is a nice place to shoot. Long lenses are almost a must, and in the summer it will be HOT. But the scenery is nice, the place is run by friendly folks and the racing is good.