First time at Castle Combe...good locations?

[jamesb84]

Right then, I'm off to Castle Combe for the Formula Ford Festival for the first time (ever! As I'm usually too busy doing football to get much motorsport)...

I've heard everyone talk about Quarry as being the corner for action, but I dont fancy getting killed! Does anyone have any other good locations around the track?

Much appreciated...

[Deejayry]

Hi James.

Firstly do you know if you are able to get a press pass and get on the action side of the fence or are you only there as a spectator?

If you are a spectator then quarry is pretty safe, theres a big fence up to protect you from debris. for the best vantage point of quarry i would get on to farm straight, just after quary. where you also have a pretty good view of the action at the esses.

Avon rise often provides some good shots from behind the barrier, but is a little limited on angles and views of the interesting corners etc.

if you are on the track side of the fence then you probably wont want to be at quary, especially if you arent that experienced in motorsport photography, IIRC there are a couple of marshals barriers around quary which are located in reasonably safe positions, i'm sure you could shoot from there if you dont get in the way of the marshals.

another location i have seen a lot of photographers using is around the pit enterance, with a long lens you can get some nice shots of the cars around bobbies, also as the enter the pits, and theres often chance for a few rear end shots of cars on Camp, which is often another good corner for the action.

I've never realy done much photography when i'm at castle combe so my suggestions are only based on where i have seen photographers working in the past. i did have a mess about when i was there a few years ago with my old fuji s9600, but i failed to get one decent shot... i blame the camera it was so incredibly slow to respond to a push of the button. I'll be there on the 26th sept for the miniworld action day so i'm hoping to get some better shots now i have a DSLR.

[jamesb84]

Hi James.

Firstly do you know if you are able to get a press pass and get on the action side of the fence or are you only there as a spectator?

My passes arrived this morning so i'm on the "hot" side of the fence. I've read plenty of stories about quarry so I know its a good corner!

If you are a spectator then quarry is pretty safe, theres a big fence up to protect you from debris. for the best vantage point of quarry i would get on to farm straight, just after quary. where you also have a pretty good view of the action at the esses.

That was what I'd seen...Google Maps has a really helpful user-created "marshalls map" and I'd already mentally planned for the straight out of quarry.

I'd thought of perhaps being right down by the esses, then i've got 2 options - Quarry exit with the 400+1.4x and the esses with the 70-200 for some interesting panning

Avon rise often provides some good shots from behind the barrier, but is a little limited on angles and views of the interesting corners etc.

if you are on the track side of the fence then you probably wont want to be at quary, especially if you arent that experienced in motorsport photography, IIRC there are a couple of marshals barriers around quary which are located in reasonably safe positions, i'm sure you could shoot from there if you dont get in the way of the marshals.

I'm pretty well experienced with motorsport, just never done combe before! I seemed to have spent a lot of time at Pembrey this year...no idea why!

I've even done hot pitlane at the GP2 last year at Silverstone, which was a hairy experience, and not one I'll repeat again soon...very different from trackside, and not really something I enjoyed...very different for testing sessiosn though! Anyway, I'm rambling...

another location i have seen a lot of photographers using is around the pit enterance, with a long lens you can get some nice shots of the cars around bobbies, also as the enter the pits, and theres often chance for a few rear end shots of cars on Camp, which is often another good corner for the action.

Ooh, I'd not thought of that one actually. Guess with the long lens you can get them coming out of bobbies and towards you, plus getting them round Camp and into the straight, especially good for chequered flag shots!

I've never realy done much photography when i'm at castle combe so my suggestions are only based on where i have seen photographers working in the past. i did have a mess about when i was there a few years ago with my old fuji s9600, but i failed to get one decent shot... i blame the camera it was so incredibly slow to respond to a push of the button. I'll be there on the 26th sept for the miniworld action day so i'm hoping to get some better shots now i have a DSLR.

Good help! It's always nice to find out where other togs feel safe working...i'm going to give Quarry exit a try I think, plus the esses on a short lens and Camp/pits/bobbies too.

Cheers, anyone else have any suggestions too?!

[Deejayry]

My passes arrived this morning so i'm on the "hot" side of the fence. I've read plenty of stories about quarry so I know its a good corner!

Nice, can i ask about getting a pass? PM me if you like.

That was what I'd seen...Google Maps has a really helpful user-created "marshalls map" and I'd already mentally planned for the straight out of quarry.

Is this on the main google maps site or is there a special link somewhere? i'd be very interested to see this.

Ooh, I'd not thought of that one actually. Guess with the long lens you can get them coming out of bobbies and towards you, plus getting them round Camp and into the straight, especially good for chequered flag shots!

Yep its quite a nice location, theres also a good chance in seeing one or two cars spin out here, i've usually seen plenty of cars spin on Camp at each trackday i have been to I was even in my friends mini a couple of years ago in the wet, i'm saying to the driver, keep it wide, but he wasnt listening... Weee around we go, we ended up on the inside of the corner facing the centre of the track! although i'd imagine that the racers know not to take this corner too tight and risk spinning so it probably wont be as hectic on a race day.

If i can convince a friend to go i'll try and head over for a few hours. if you spot a guy with blonde dreadlocks & a 10D, thats probably me!!

[jamesb84]

Nice, can i ask about getting a pass? PM me if you like.

I got the pass because my boss asked me to cover the event for a load of commisions we have for the motoring press...it's the end of the FFord season, and some of the guys will be in F3 next year, so they want/need promo shots!

Castle Combe doesnt give out passes to just anyone, they want a letter of accreditation, evidence of commisions and a £5million public liability insurance policy with explicit mention of trackside access for motorsports. You'll find the same for any big(ish) event thats run by the MSA.

If you dont have these requirements, wait for next season, contact a club and see if you can shoot some for them (provided you're honest - ie. dont lie about commisions, and you've got the insurance policy - most circuits will want to see proof of the policy either when you sign on or when they agree to accredit you)


Is this on the main google maps site or is there a special link somewhere? i'd be very interested to see this.

It is on the main google maps site...however, this link (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=103683080286127722203.00044ef0415f1f42d9fed&gl=uk&hl=en)should go directly to it

If i can convince a friend to go i'll try and head over for a few hours. if you spot a guy with blonde dreadlocks & a 10D, thats probably me!!

I'll make sure I look out for you, shoot me a PM if you're there and I'll get a pic of you from where I'm stood (provided you get a pic of me!)...i'll be the guy with the 1D and the 400 f/2.8!