Hampshire (UK) Hogs group & groupies ensemble

[artyman]

I'm planning on going to Silverstone on Monday for the BTCC media day, fans can get in for free after 1pm. Just hope the weather is reasonable.

[docholiday]

have fun ken, looking forward to seeing the results, good luck with the weather

[Madweasel]

I've got a big work trip coming up, leaving tomorrow night. I'll be in Melbourne, then Canberra next week, and then on to Washington, D.C. the following week. Can you believe I happen to be in Melbourne just when they host the Australian Grand Prix? I've already got a ticket too. I can't decide what gear to take because it's just a General Admission ticket so I'll be looking through big fences most of the time. I can't decide whether to try and get some shots, or just enjoy being there. I'll take pictures at other times though, so I'll still have something to post when I get back. All the way round the world on Business Class - it's a tough job, but someone has to do it!

[alex.hondsmerk]

Originally Posted by Madweasel

I've got a big work trip coming up, leaving tomorrow night. I'll be in Melbourne, then Canberra next week, and then on to Washington, D.C. the following week. Can you believe I happen to be in Melbourne just when they host the Australian Grand Prix? I've already got a ticket too. I can't decide what gear to take because it's just a General Admission ticket so I'll be looking through big fences most of the time. I can't decide whether to try and get some shots, or just enjoy being there. I'll take pictures at other times though, so I'll still have something to post when I get back. All the way round the world on Business Class - it's a tough job, but someone has to do it!

Mind if I ask what your job is? I might be considering a career change

[artyman]

Lucky fella, makes my trip to Silverstone look a bit naf. I think I would try and get some shots, as I doubt you will get another opportunity to shoot the Oz GP, unless some future budgets need to be spent

[Vulcan58]

Have a good trip Mark (jammy git) - look forward to some of your worldly travel pics.

[Lester Wareham]

Yes, have a good trip Mark, hope you get some down time there.

I have done quite a lot of business travel and it is fairly rare to get a chance to look around and get any local colour. Just came back from Munich, but most I had was a 15 min walk around a local residential area before a taxi ride to another air con room with no windows.

[docholiday]

Have to say I dont envy you going out there, I used to be the Doctor for the Subaru and then Ford World Rally teams, did it for ten years, in my last year made 148 flights and over half of them were long haul, didnt know where I was half the time, since then have hated the hassle of flying, anyway hope you have a great trip and manage to get some good shoots, look forward to seeing them, though I see it was raining heavily yesterday out there.
have a cold one for me
doc

[cogs v]

Thanks Ken and Lester
Ken its the Sigma 150-500 f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM
Colin

[Lowner]

Originally Posted by docholiday

Have to say I dont envy you going out there, I used to be the Doctor for the Subaru and then Ford World Rally teams, did it for ten years, in my last year made 148 flights and over half of them were long haul, didnt know where I was half the time, since then have hated the hassle of flying, anyway hope you have a great trip and manage to get some good shoots, look forward to seeing them, though I see it was raining heavily yesterday out there.
have a cold one for me
doc

Not that I've done that amount of flying, but the whole experience is no longer enjoyable. From the queues at check-in to the being treated like cattle on board. Presumably thats why some wag hit on the name "cattle class"?

[Madweasel]

(Writing in Australia) Business Class is a lot nicer, but yes, the time zone thing is a bit hard. I was looking over the fence this afternoon and saw Vettel's spin in final practice. Weather was good today, hope it holds for tomorrow.

[artyman]

Just watched the Practice highlights on BBC, the teams seem pretty close so looks promising for an interesting season, the weather's looking dry for my Silverstone trip on Monday

[docholiday]

Originally Posted by artyman

Just watched the Practice highlights on BBC, the teams seem pretty close so looks promising for an interesting season, the weather's looking dry for my Silverstone trip on Monday

Shame it is the "home of British motor racing" and yet probably the most awful spectator viewing circuit in the world. I have been to most of the bigger circuits worldwide but Silverstone is the pits from the awful overpriced food to all spectator facilities.

Have fun

[Lowner]

Originally Posted by docholiday

Shame it is the "home of British motor racing" and yet probably the most awful spectator viewing circuit in the world. I have been to most of the bigger circuits worldwide but Silverstone is the pits from the awful overpriced food to all spectator facilities.

Have fun

I am another who dislikes Silverstone with an intensity. Spectatotors are kept waaay too far from the action.

[Madweasel]

I was certainly close to the action today at Melbourne. Some good racing, very loud. I got some decent shots through the fencing. It was a whole lot cheaper for General Admission than Silverstone is too. By booking before 1 March I got it for A$79, about 55 quid. Cheapest GA for the British GP is 135.

I don't envy you that much flying Doc. I normally get away about 3-5 times a year, which is plenty.