Local Autograss Racing in Hampshire... Autograss?

Spent an hour or two on Sunday down at a local Autograss event. Now is this really Autograss? Didn't see much grass, just a lot of dust lol Well this was my first time shooting such an event, good local atmoshere but tricky conditions as dust was blinding me not to mentioned caking my camera/lens

As for the racing it was action packed and very enjoyable. I'm sure I will be back. Does look a little like a Destruction Derby, but it is as I say a local event run on a shoestring budget. All good fun

Anyway, here's a few compressed "forum friendly" shots...

#1 This is actually in "good condition"

Well that looks similar to the Autograss that I cover regular, but different in a number of respects. Firstly, I've never see cars running with only half a mesh windscreen. Secondly, if the racing is connected with NASA (National Autograss Sports Association), then the cars would normally have a letter (to denote which club they belong to) followed by a number. In the thread I started yesterday you have YD cars for Yorkshire Dales, SL cars for Solway etc etc. I notice a couple of cars has a T designation, but the numbering doesn't look like the standard that I'm used to. Was it being ran on a quarter mile dirt oval? Also never see wings like that on cars. With the care and attention some spend on their cars, you'd get lynched if you likened it to a destruction derby where I go! Oh, and the tracks only have grass on them the first time they're used. Because most clubs are established, you only tend to get a 'grass track' for the National Championships, which must be ran on a virgin field to make sure that no one has home advantage.

Having said that, there are a lot of similarities. The dust can be a problem, but the venues I visit usually water the track at regular intervals to keep the dust (and speeds) down a bit. Biggest challenge is getting a low angle, which looks even harder given the way that track looks constructed. Also 'togs are very strictly controlled at NASA events, far more tightly than I've ever been at normal circuit. Can usually only stand where a marshall is, and can only approach the armco if you're off the racing line. This then usually means shooting over or through fences, making getting a low angle even more difficult. I tend to keep all of my gear covered (I use my rain covers for this) and it's also about the only time I'll use a UV filter on the front of my lens - purely for protection. I tend to shoot in manual, as all of the dust up in the air can make metering a nightmare, with a shutter speed around 1/320s.

Of the shots you've posted, #3 is the best IMHO. I like the positioning of the cars, and the fact that there's clearly racing going on.

Cheers,

Simon.

Cheers Simon. As I say it is very much a local form of racing, all of the drivers I'm sure were within a 20-30mile radius so nothing national. There will be a SEGTO event (or something like that) held there in a few weeks time and I'm told that drivers/cars from various places in the south will be taking part. As for the track it is just a small dirt oval, could well be 1.4 mile yes. They did water inbetween races but it didn't make much difference.

Note your suggestion about getting lower down, not to easy at this track but I have plans for next time. I had to resport to using my wet-weather-protection (an old T-shirt complete with elastic band) and that did seem to help. I have a better idea of what to expect and hope to do better next time. I was generally using a shutter of 1/320sec so that's ok.

At the events you cover are there many spectators? Is it a well marketed form of motorsport (adverts in papers etc)?

Cheers
Az

In many ways, it's motorsports best kept secret. It varies from around 100 (club meeting on a wet, dreary day) to >5,000 for the Nationals weekend. My local paper supports the club very well, although we're fortunate to have one reigning national champion and several past national champions in the club.

Cheers,

Simon.

where abouts in hampshire was it? i may have to pop down and give it a try if its not too far from M3