Mid-Ohio race course

Anyone ever shot at Mid-Ohio? I'm thinking of going to the Indy Car race in July and was wondering if there are good locations to get good pictures. Any tips would be appreciated.

You can get some very good shots as a spectator on account of being able to walk around inside of the track as opposed to outside the fences. You can stand on the hill at the right hander entrance to the esses and get great, unobstructed views. There is also a little general admission grandstand that looks right at the exit of turn one. That is also very good. Here are a few from last summer:

1.

You can get pretty close to where they come out from under the bridge from the front straight. You stand where the cars coming out of pit lane merge onto the main track. Most cars are hauling @ss through there, you can get some really nice shots but you need to be quick. And there's no annoying fencing to get in your way.

I am planning on going there for this event too and was wondering the same things....

Last year the turn one area was used as a hospitality area, filled with rental campers, and there was no access to it for spectators. Hopefully that changes this year.
You can get some good shots at the Honda bridge near turns 8 & 9, inside and outside turns 10 & 11, and depending on the light, inside turn 14 ( the Carousel). The inside of T8 can be good, but the background is usually bad, and last year there was a port-a-john in the worst possible place which ruined any chance at good shots.

T8-9 at the Honda bridge.

Hey, guys, I stumbled on this thread today. Coincidence: I just posted a Mid-Ohio Photography guide over on TheRaceForums.

Check it out:
http://www.theraceforu​ms.com …io-photography-guide.html

It is by no means definitive, but maybe there will be some spots you might not know about. I hope it helps someone out.

-chris

Thanks for the replies. I will be making a trip over to Mid-Ohio next week to check things out and make plans for the upcoming Indy race. The info that you have provided is very helpful. Thanks again.

Stopped by Mid-Ohio today to try and check things out. Not a very friendly bunch. I did have a chance to talk to one helpful person in security who told me that if I shoot pictures at the IndyCar race in July, that my camera could be confiscated. She said that is the policy of Mid-Ohio.

On their website, they have this about photos: "All photographic, video and digital images taken during any track event, including those featuring spectators, whether made or purchased by Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course or its affiliates, are property of Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and may be used in advertising and promotional materials at its sole discretion."

I tried to find out clarification on what this means, and got nowhere. I have since arrived back home and have sent them an email asking for some explanation of their policy. I did explain that I would be shooting from spectator areas and shooting for my own usage. Not sure whether to buy a ticket or not.

Cameraman1957 wrote in post #5710571
Stopped by Mid-Ohio today to try and check things out. Not a very friendly bunch. I did have a chance to talk to one helpful person in security who told me that if I shoot pictures at the IndyCar race in July, that my camera could be confiscated. She said that is the policy of Mid-Ohio.

I've been going to Mid-Ohio going on ten years now, the last 3 or 4 with a bunch of camera gear, and I have never heard that before. Unless this is a new policy this year, I suspect the Security person you were speaking to is ill-informed. Go to any Mid-Ohio weekend and you will see more L-glass in the spectator areas than you will at B&H!

They have had this on their site for a number of years. My interpretation is that they can use any shots you have taken on their property, for promo/advertising without paying you a cent. I'm not aware of how vigilant they are at enforcing it, but i do know they typically hire a "Pro" to shoot for the track at every event, so the chances of them "seizing" one of your shots to use over one of the shots their "Pro" shot, from a credentialed area, with better access, are slim. But just in case.....

Unless they changed their policies this year, I wouldn't worry about it.

-chris

I was thinking that I couldn't imaging that they would confiscate my cameras, and I figured that their statement about photos simply meant that they had a right to use my pictures if they want.

Basically all I want to do is learn more about shooting motorsports and to add to my portfolio. I'm now trying to decide if it will be worth the time and money to go to the IndyCar race and try to get good pictures from spectator areas. I was hoping to be able to scout out some areas today, but there was testing going on and no access to the track.

I noticed that this is definitely out in the country. How is traffic in and out of this venue? If I can go only for race day, is it worth it to get a paddock/pit pass?

I'm curious about Mid-Ohio as well. I'm considering going to an event next Saturday. Was wondering what is a good time to get there as I would be coming from PA and have about a 2.5hr drive.

Also, I was looking at their online map of the track and was wondering where the best places to setup at? Can you confortably walk around the track, or you better off going to a 1 or 2 spots and be done with it?

Cameraman1957 wrote in post #5712202
I was thinking that I couldn't imaging that they would confiscate my cameras, and I figured that their statement about photos simply meant that they had a right to use my pictures if they want.

Basically all I want to do is learn more about shooting motorsports and to add to my portfolio. I'm now trying to decide if it will be worth the time and money to go to the IndyCar race and try to get good pictures from spectator areas. I was hoping to be able to scout out some areas today, but there was testing going on and no access to the track.

I noticed that this is definitely out in the country. How is traffic in and out of this venue? If I can go only for race day, is it worth it to get a paddock/pit pass?

It really depends on the event. Last year for the IRL/ALMS weekend, traffic was the worst I've seen it sionce the hey-days of CART. Great fro the track, not so good if you just want to get home.

If you just want some practice shooting motorsports, I would suggest going to the Grand-Am, or Vintage races. Not many people, a little bit cheaper, open paddock, and generally, to me, seems more laid back. Now, don;t get me wrong, ALMS is by far, the best series to race there, and the addition of IndyCar makes for a phenomenal weekend of racing. But the crowds will make it tough to get around, especially if it is your first time there.

If you can do it, I would go to the Grand-Am race next weekend and if you like it, go to the ALMS/IRL weekend with a little experience under your belt.

Thanks for all the advice. It has been very helpful.

Cameraman1957 wrote in post #5710571
Stopped by Mid-Ohio today to try and check things out. Not a very friendly bunch. I did have a chance to talk to one helpful person in security who told me that if I shoot pictures at the IndyCar race in July, that my camera could be confiscated. She said that is the policy of Mid-Ohio.

On their website, they have this about photos: "All photographic, video and digital images taken during any track event, including those featuring spectators, whether made or purchased by Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course or its affiliates, are property of Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and may be used in advertising and promotional materials at its sole discretion."

I tried to find out clarification on what this means, and got nowhere. I have since arrived back home and have sent them an email asking for some explanation of their policy. I did explain that I would be shooting from spectator areas and shooting for my own usage. Not sure whether to buy a ticket or not.

I have been taking pictures at IRL and Champcar events for a year or two now and have never ever been hassled. My dad and I are going tomorrow because he finally doesn't have to travel to parts unknown for a race or test. Anyway, as long as you don't draw attention to yourself or aren't in places that you should'nt be in, there won't be a problem (from my experience). I mean as in going up and getting in people's faces is bad (saw a guy get escorted out by his collar) and if you roll in with the Red ONE and a camera crane, that is going to red flag you, but all in all the people at MidOhio are nice but don't ask staff, ask another photog. that is there and knows the facility a lot better. When all else fails, apply for credentials.

Now, on the topic of buying a ticket, DO IT! I can't stress how much fun that getting to go up close and see the cars in the paddock is, and it makes for some really good candid shots.

I got this today. Looks like he is staring right at me.

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