Well after being away from home for the last two weekends and having to miss Croft and the Trackrod Rally, I was able to get out on Sunday for the final Autograss round of the year. The track conditions were awful to start with and everyone was struggling for grip. Rather than make it more exciting, it actually had the opposite effect and kept speeds extremely slow. Things got better as the day wore on though. Here's some shots from the day.
#1 Autograss circuits are not the most picturesque places in the world, but there are some angles where you can get that all important uncluttered background. Now if I just had a 500mm lens, this angle would be perfect....
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#2 Also tried some shots at a wider angle as the cars entered turn 1
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#3 and a bit wider again. I like this shot as it demonstrates the technique used to corner in the open wheel specials and shows a lot of car dynamics. All of the weight in these things is over the back wheels. Watching them manouver at low speeds in the pits is quite comical, and quite often one of the team mechanics will actually sit on the front to give the front wheels some grip. As these cars enter the corner, the drivers stamp on the brakes to transfer the weight forward, get the car turned in and then get back on the throttle and do the rest of the steering on the gas.
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#4 The stock hatch class was keenly fought as ever. This class was concieved with the idea of keeping costs to a minimum. Engines are sealed and to stop people spending a fortune on tuning them, you can buy a competitors engine for £300 at the end of the season. As momentum is the name of the game, more good car dynamics are usually on display as the cars are hurled into the corners.
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#5 Junior racing with the Class 1 Minis.
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#6 and my 10D also got a bit of use as well!
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Anyway, I hope you enjoy the shots. As usual, any comments or feedback appreciated.
Full gallery should be online in a day or two.
Cheers,
Simon.
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