What are 5 essential lenses for motorsport photography?

It depends upon how much walking I'll have to do...

If there's a lot of walking involved, with crop cameras I'll take:
300/4 IS
28-135 IS
12-24 Tokina
And maybe a couple small, fast primes if I need to do any indoor shooting: 28/1.8, 85/1.8.
Also 1.4X teleconverter, macro extension tubes, a monopod, and usually a flash.

If I've got use of a golf cart or ATV, with crop cameras I'll take:
500/4 IS
300/2.8 IS
70-200/2.8 IS
24-70.2.8
12-24 Tokina
Sometimes a few faster primes, too: 28/1.8, 50/1.4, 85/1.8, 135/2
Also 1.4X and 2X teleconverters, either a macro lens or some extension tubes, a tripod, a monopod, one or two flashes.

I usually don't use full frame for action shots, only in and around the paddock or at concours and other types of shows.

Same as a PJ's kit. 16-35, 24-70, 70-200, 300 2.8.

100-400 on my 7D & 24-70 on the 5DII. Thats all I need lens/body wise. If your going to lug alot of gear around a racetrack, you're gonna be tired a few hours into the race.

If it's a daytime race, my hiking backpack curently has my 7D, 70-300L, 400 5.6L, and 15-85mm. Between the lightweight backpack, and those three lightweight lenses, I find it to be a very convenient setup to carry around all day, even in the middle of the summer. With good IQ throughout the range.

Substitute my 70-200 2.8 MKII & a 1.4TC for the 70-300L if it's a night race (i.e. Petit Lemans at Road Atlanta).

That's about all the lenses I got besides my 35L for indoor shots...so I could barely take 5 lenses if I tried!

When I shot motorsports regularly, usually club-level events where I had a trackside pass, I would take my 17-55 f/2.8, my 70-200 f/2.8L and my 300 f/2.8. They all got used, but the 70-200 was probably on there for 75% of the time. However, shooting club racing on 'small' tracks is a lot easier than shooting at GP-level tracks, where the photogs are much further away in most cases (street circuits excepted).

In the paddock, the wide-angle came in very handy, especially at popular events with large crowds, when standing back wasn't an option.

70-200 2.8L, 17-50 2.8 tamy, 1.4x II because its what I have that fits the bill. If I could I would also toss in a 11-17 2.8 Tokina for some tight spots in the expo areas. Now this is all going with that I am not a professional shooter and rarely if ever get track access. if I had track access it would be a tad different for every race.

Justaddwata wrote in post #15027019
Never go to a race without my Canon 35-350mm L. It might be old - but it still worth its weight!! 70-200mm MKII is also a worthy addition. 24-105mm for those in between opportunities.

I never leave home without my 28-300L 3.5-5.6 IS, .... yup it's heavy however it takes awesome captures during daylight hours.