Texas World Speedway

[cooltouch]

I don't live too far from this facility. It's up in College Station, about 100 miles from Houston. I haven't made it out there yet, but I have a bunch of biker friends who like to go out there on track days, and the course layout seems to be interesting. Just curious if anyone here has shot pix at TWS and what you think of it:

http://www.texasworldspeedway.com/

Best,

Michael

[DC Fan]

No other responses, so...haven't been there since 1979, and not for pictures. It's been a long, long time since there's been any sort of major spectator race at this track. From glancing at the Google Maps images, expect a lot of open spaces and bring a long lens.

[Diana718]

I used to live in Bryan/College Station but never made it to that track, always wanted to. I would love to see the shots if/when you go.

[-Ace-]

I race bikes there all the time with the CMRA and have shot a little there as well. Its a great track and several places to set up for nice shots. I like to shoot from the inside of the track at bikes coming out of turn 1 "need a long lens for this, i use a 100-400L" also setup on the inside of turn 5 to catch some good knee down shots and also in turns 9A and 9B.

Its a huge plus to have a small pit bike of sorts to get around as its a huge track, also have you ever shot road racing bikes? If not then you might get with a track official to get some tips as to where to setup, just to make sure youre always out of the potential path of crashing bikes. Had a guy a few years ago get drilled by a bike, pretty much ruined his day

This is of me, the photog was set up on the inside of turn 9B shooting turn 9A here, kind of a dangerous spot for him actually
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff190/aceboles/Feb08BOTM.jpg

here he is shooting from the outside of the corner at turn 9B

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff190/aceboles/Turn9aresized.jpg

[cooltouch]

Thanks for the pics, Ace. Nice. Tell us something about your bike.

I've shot a few motorcycle road races, but I have done a lot of auto racing photography over the years, all of it in California. Mostly Willow Springs and the now gone (and much missed) Riverside. I know what you mean about staying out of the path of hurtling vehicles. Only had one close call and that was at a drag race. I was down by the traps at the finish line and a car's blower handgrenaded within 50 yards of the finish. I heard bits and pieces of shrapnel whizzing by me and skittering by on the pavemet as I was firing away, trying to catch the explosion and its aftermath on film. It wasn't until later that day that I got to thinking about it, and realized that I'd dodged not just one bullet, but a bunch of 'em.

Best,

Michael