NHRA Summer Nationals
Just a few from the NHRA drag races at Heartland Park Topeka a few weeks back. If you've never been to a big drag race you're really missing something. Even if you're not a racing fan there is an amazing amount of shooting to do at one of these events. Just remember to bring your hearing protection :ear
Some of these shots are pretty lame, I'm sharing them more as examples of the kinds of shots you might find at a race.
A typical NHRA event is held over three days (Friday-Sunday). From a photography standpoint, Friday is probably the best day. It's less crowded and things happen at a slower pace (at least in paddock, not necessarily on the track
). At Topeka this year, Friday's start was delayed by three hours due to a damp track. Because of the late start there were some sights that spectators usually wouldn't get to see. Usually you wouldn't see a bunch of the "Safety Safari" mopeds in one place like this. They would normally be spread out all over the track and paddock.
The paddock is where I really enjoy shooting. Unlike in most other forms of motor sport, at a drag race you get a great chance to see the cars and drivers up close. Here is Amanda Matusek's Cobra Jet Mustang. Drag racing fans might want to remember Amanda's name. She's one hell of a driver!
With the smaller crowds and more relaxed schedule of Friday even some of the pro teams will let you walk into their paddock areas and shoot. Just remember to ask nicely and stay out of everyone's way!
So what about action shots of the racing? At a NHRA event you're pretty much limited to shooting from the grandstands.
I told you there weren't any crowds on Fridays:
through a 80-200:
Sundays are when the crowds get big. The up side is plenty of candid shooting (trust me there were some interesting people there). Also the drivers come out for signing autographs.
Ashley Force:
Drivers being interviewed is another common site.
Terry McMillen being interviewed by ESPN after his first career elimination round win:
I had no idea that ESPN reporters could not dress themselves:
Things get pretty hectic in the paddock on Sundays. Teams have only about one hour to get the car ready between runs. Here the Copart Top-Fuel team is actually swapping the entire engine out before their next round. While the mechanics work on the engine, driver Brandon Bernstein hops down off the rear tire after retrieving the parachute (which had been tossed up and over the rear wing while the car was towed back to the paddock).
Brandon's dad Kenny stopping by to see how his boys are doing:
Thanks for looking. Hopefully I haven't bored anyone to death. Maybe next year I can con my way into a photo pass and get to shoot from a better location. This guy seemed to have a pretty good spot:
You might want to check out sirsloop's thread to see some great examples of from-the-stands shooting!
As always C & C welcome!
Some of these shots are pretty lame, I'm sharing them more as examples of the kinds of shots you might find at a race.
A typical NHRA event is held over three days (Friday-Sunday). From a photography standpoint, Friday is probably the best day. It's less crowded and things happen at a slower pace (at least in paddock, not necessarily on the track
). At Topeka this year, Friday's start was delayed by three hours due to a damp track. Because of the late start there were some sights that spectators usually wouldn't get to see. Usually you wouldn't see a bunch of the "Safety Safari" mopeds in one place like this. They would normally be spread out all over the track and paddock.The paddock is where I really enjoy shooting. Unlike in most other forms of motor sport, at a drag race you get a great chance to see the cars and drivers up close. Here is Amanda Matusek's Cobra Jet Mustang. Drag racing fans might want to remember Amanda's name. She's one hell of a driver!
With the smaller crowds and more relaxed schedule of Friday even some of the pro teams will let you walk into their paddock areas and shoot. Just remember to ask nicely and stay out of everyone's way!
So what about action shots of the racing? At a NHRA event you're pretty much limited to shooting from the grandstands.
I told you there weren't any crowds on Fridays:
through a 80-200:
Sundays are when the crowds get big. The up side is plenty of candid shooting (trust me there were some interesting people there). Also the drivers come out for signing autographs.
Ashley Force:
Drivers being interviewed is another common site.
Terry McMillen being interviewed by ESPN after his first career elimination round win:
I had no idea that ESPN reporters could not dress themselves:
Things get pretty hectic in the paddock on Sundays. Teams have only about one hour to get the car ready between runs. Here the Copart Top-Fuel team is actually swapping the entire engine out before their next round. While the mechanics work on the engine, driver Brandon Bernstein hops down off the rear tire after retrieving the parachute (which had been tossed up and over the rear wing while the car was towed back to the paddock).
Brandon's dad Kenny stopping by to see how his boys are doing:
Thanks for looking. Hopefully I haven't bored anyone to death. Maybe next year I can con my way into a photo pass and get to shoot from a better location. This guy seemed to have a pretty good spot:
You might want to check out sirsloop's thread to see some great examples of from-the-stands shooting!
As always C & C welcome!
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http://www.moose135photography.com
GaryB
“The single most important component of a camera is the twelve inches behind it!” - Ansel Adams
I will post some pics in the next couple days!
Nikon D3 & D3s
2xSB-900 Speedlights
Tokina 12-24 f4, Nikon 50 f1.8, 28-70 f2.8,70-200 f2.8 VR, 1.7x TC , 200-400 f4 vrII
...more to come!
Thanks!
Glad you had fun at the drags. I checked out your thread and you've got some great shots
I've been trying to get to at least one NHRA event a year. There are also several nostalgia events around that I usually go out for. I keep meaning to contact the drag strip a few miles from my house and inquire about photo passes to their regular week night events.
You planning on trying to get out to any more races soon?
Hopefully going to Brainerd in August.
If you do, walk through the Pro Stock paddock and look for Dave River (River Racing Cobalt). Great guy. Last year at Topeka he spent a half an hour talking with my wife and I. Had my wife sit in the car, showed her all the controls and explained all the procedures he goes through before, during and after a run:
We stopped by to see him and his kids (his kids are his crew) this year, but they were working like crazy and we figured it was best to leave them alone.