Vintage motor racing

[KennyG]

It was really nice to find something on the circuit older than me for a change. Today was at least dry, but it was very windy making control of the 300 a bit tricky at times. I did my usual circuit wander and tested out a couple of new shooting places. Here are some of the shots from today:

I'll start with two shots of the same car. The second was testing out a new spot.
http://www.motorpix.co.uk/images63/op-06.jpg

http://www.motorpix.co.uk/images63/op-07.jpg

An absolutely beautiful Cooper Coventry Climax shot from the same place.
http://www.motorpix.co.uk/images63/op-08.jpg

A Kurtis Indy Roadster - first time I have seen one of these - 1957 4.2 litre.
http://www.motorpix.co.uk/images63/op-13.jpg

Brabham BT4, chased by a Cooper T59.
http://www.motorpix.co.uk/images63/op-19.jpg

Same car, different location.
http://www.motorpix.co.uk/images63/op-22.jpg

[Skip Souza]

Nice shots all around Ken.
Love the low perspective and I adore the Kurtis. Quite rare.

[Geoff B]

Hi Kenny, I've been hanging round this forum for some time now (just reading). I must say your photos have really inspired me. I use 1D mk II (also 1D). I went to Oulton for the last superbike meeting (using mainly 100-400L). I took delivery (Thursday) of a 300 f2.8 and, 1.4 & 2X extenders. So I went to the Vintage meeting today at Oulton Park. Took 1200 or so images and I'm currently 'processing' them in capture 1. The first thing I have noticed is the number of keepers has increased dramatically with the 300 f2.8. The hardest thing I found was keeping the motion blur on the wheels and the rest in focus. I guess it’s my panning technique I need to improve on (it was also my first time with a monopod). I spent most of the day around Knicker Brook trying to get 3/4 type frontal/side shots. I would really appreciate any tips or advice you can give me.

[Simon Harrison]

I was hoping you would attend this meeting of the VSCC Ken, so we would get to see some 'proper racing cars :D .

You're new location in #2 works well. You're that bit lower than #1 and the background is clean if a little dark (metering cause any problems?).

The Kurtis Indy Roadster shot is superb.

Would love to get down to the Gold Cup meeting later in the year, but right now I think there are some things that will stop me which is a real shame.

You can keep these shots coming - can't get enough of the vintage racers!

Cheers,
Simon.

[Ian_H]

Really great shots Ken, the new location gives a good perspective, nice and low and an uncluttered background, however I do really like your shots at Lodge, the backdrop seems to fit in with the historics. That Kurtis Indy Roadster looks a bit special:D
Are you going to Croft for the Superbikes next week?



Cheers
Ian

[KennyG]

Geoff, I spotted you at Knickerbrook. I was behind the barrier in front of you for races 8 and 9, along with a lady photographer who also works at Oulton. The top shot is at Druids, second and third from just about under Warwick Bridge, fourth at Lodge and the bottom two from the Knickerbrook area.

Simon, the background is that dark, it is very dense trees and heavy shadow. Metering wasn't a problem, one of the things I like about the MK-II. They don't come, or look more vintage than these:

A Napier 24 litre (yes, twenty four litre) Bentley.
http://www.motorpix.co.uk/images63/op-20.jpg

How about another very rare one, a Bentley Pacey-Hassan.
http://www.motorpix.co.uk/images63/op-25.jpg

Not everything was big, as this Morgan Aero shows.
http://www.motorpix.co.uk/images63/op-15.jpg

How about a pre-war Riley 12/4.
http://www.motorpix.co.uk/images63/op-26.jpg

I would need to post far more shots than would be sensible to even give a sense of what the day was like. Any UK members should check the VSCC website for meeting dates and get along to one of them.

There was also a Concourse D'Elegance with almost 100 pre-1941 cars from VSCC club members. Watching this many cars doing a couple of laps at Oulton Park during the lunch break was an amazing sight.

To close my posting of pictures I thought you may want to see what else Oulton Park has to offer. It has a lake and ponds with wildlife. This pair totally ignore the motor racing and get on with raising a family.
http://www.motorpix.co.uk/images63/op-31.jpg

Thank you for looking at the images. My next meetings are next weekend, and as I have received my media access for the British Superbikes I may even get along there if I can fit it in.

[Buttkicker]

Top shots yet again Ken.. you really have got this Motor Racing "malarky" off to a T


the green number 32 looks rather like the car Jim Clark drove all them years ago

[Simon Harrison]

Thanks for posting the other shots Ken. I'll make sure I check your website out in a day or two for some other shots. The noise, sight and smell of these cars must be fantastic.

Cheers,

Simon.

[Geoff B]

What a small world Ken, yes I saw you with the young lady photographer at Knicker Brook. You mentioned the 1D's metering do you use evaluative or centre weighted? I wonder if you use Custom function 17 set to 1? From reading your previous posts I used TV mode 1/320th mostly, AI servo AF and centre focus point. I shoot studio glamour for various web sites. I haven't shot motor sport for about 25yrs. So it's a learning curve for me. I'm so used to being fully in control in the studio (lighting etc). I must say I'm very envious of the positions you were able to get to around the circuit.

[Skip Souza]

I thought the first batch were wonderful, then it just got even better with the real oldies. Thanks for the view.

[rgravel]

I've admired your work since I became a member here Kenny.

I'll be at "Le Sommet des Légendes" again this year at Tremblant. If I can take a few shots half as good as your, I'll be very happy .

Thanks for sharing.

PS: Picture #2 Lotus does it for me :)

[PhotosGuy]

Excellent shots again! I like the 'new location', too.