Christmas Stages Rally 28/12/10 at Croft Circuit

A rather cold, wet and slippery day at Croft with fog developing over the day - but it was much nicer than what was forecast!
I definitely felt it was worth risking the weather to see some cars I hadn't seen before including a 6R4 and a very smart works Proton Satria Neo. Chris Anderson's Fiesta is looking pretty tidy aswell, especially with the light pod attached.

It was raining lightly on the morning and I did a poor job of drying the front element of my lens when it stopped (but didn't realise that until I got home) so between that and the general haze that was hanging around I've had to do more levels correction than I'd like (some of which I might go back over), but I'm fairly happy with some of the shots.
I tend to do a lot of mostly side-on shots so seeing what worked for the more frontal shots at the chicane was a new experience.

The thumbnails link to image's Flickr page with Exif intact if you're into that sort of thing.

Full Flickr set here. Might have more to add when I've had a proper look through my shots.

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …in/set-72157625693691712/

HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Redirected to error image by FLICKR

HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Redirected to error image by FLICKR

HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Redirected to error image by FLICKR

HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Redirected to error image by FLICKR

HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Redirected to error image by FLICKR

Great shots. Is the hatch up on the Citroen(I think) for added downforce?

That first Escort shot is really nice.

AxxisPhoto wrote in post #11536319
Great shots. Is the hatch up on the Citroen(I think) for added downforce?

It's certainly an unorthodox aero part. And yeah it's a Citroen Saxo.

KiwiRallyFan wrote in post #11537359
That first Escort shot is really nice.

Thanks, I was trying to do some slower panning than I usually do. That was at 1/40 through a wire fence.

That's a steady hand you've got for 1/40 !!! Gives an excellent impression of the speed he was travelling at.
I like all the shots & think they're very good but I'm not too sure about the fiesta, although it's a nice crisp focus the lack of motion in the wheels gives it a static impression. I know (for me anyway), the trade off between shutter speed/focus/keepers can be a hard decision especially in less than ideal conditions.
Regards
Rick

Good set also these taken in the service park from the Proton

Like the first Escort and Citroen shot nice movement in those pics

Thanks all.

ukjesters wrote in post #11540100
That's a steady hand you've got for 1/40 !!! Gives an excellent impression of the speed he was travelling at.

It was taken through a wire fence and the cars weren't getting much speed up due to how slippy it was on the exit of the corner that's just out of shot to the right so the 1/40 was pretty much necessary.
I can't take all the credit though, the 6.5fps on the 40D helps. The shots certainly didn't all come out like that.

ukjesters wrote in post #11540100
I'm not too sure about the fiesta, although it's a nice crisp focus the lack of motion in the wheels gives it a static impression.

I like the cars as much as I like the sport element so I wanted to get some more portrait-esque shots. They were all crammed into gazebos, with people around them or with really busy backgrounds in the service area so I had to do it as they moved slowly between the arrival control and the start of the stage. Though I ended up with more side and less front than I really wanted as there was a 4x4 parked on the other side of the road. I could have done with getting lower too but I was crouched in a puddle.

The freezing was intentional so it's perhaps more 'Transport' than 'Motorsports'.

You know after I'd posted that comment I had another look at the picture & I wasn't sure if the car was static or not! So in that case that's a very good portrait of a neat looking fiesta.
Regards
Rick

Just to clarify:
It's not actually static as they're rolling very slowly between the time control and the actual stage start (car park sort of speeds) but I wanted it to look static.
I should really have dropped to f/2.8 and upped the shutter speed a little to try and kill the very slight motion blur on the front wheels (which is more evident in the similar Evo and Protron shots in my set) but I couldn't see it on the LCD.

it is funny that the hatch is up...hope he didn't leave the groceries in the back

Classic Escort shots are awesome, and that's a strange front lip/body kit on the Subie...

natums wrote in post #11571029
that's a strange front lip/body kit on the Subie...

It's a standard WRC isn't it? Or are you commenting on the fact he hit a few things and remodelled it somewhat? :P

I guess it is the WRC one, I guess I just don't see the 00-01 WRC car that often, I loved the older GCs and later model GDs. Wish rally was more popular in the US, more or less had any events in SoCal outside of X-Games.

But he did use an interesting method of body work, I recommend against using an exige to wax on, wax off.

Great pics all around.

Adding a few more while I'm waiting for my beef pie to cook.

HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Redirected to error image by FLICKR

HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Redirected to error image by FLICKR

HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Redirected to error image by FLICKR

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …in/set-72157625693691712/

HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Redirected to error image by FLICKR

HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Redirected to error image by FLICKR