Sears Point (err Infineon Raceway)

[Silverstangs]

This year I will be going to the following events, I typically like to go on Saturdays. I'm meantioning this because I'm giving a open invite to all of you that might want to try your hand at motorsports. These are good photo opportunities and this is WAY in advance.

Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma County August 22 - August 24, 2008 << I'm going not matter what. Maybe I'll get another image of Mario.


I might go to this at the end of this month
Wine Country Classic May 31 - June 1, 2008 Probally this one before I visit some friends. I'm actually looking forward to this one considering all the vintage cars that will be out there.

Toyota Savemart NASCAR June 20 - June 22, 2008 more than likely. I enjoyed NASCAR in person, I can't watch it on TV. Because they are on a road course, it makes the race more dicey for them.

[imported_JeromeL]

hey i'd definitely be interested in doing this, how can i get a pass?

[Killjoy]

I too would be interested in getting a pass. I would be looking at the event in August.

The end of this month is out, since we are having our daughters Birthday Party on the 31st, and that weekend in June, we are going to be getting everything together for our annual camping and boating trip.
This year I will NOT be bringing the 20D on the boat.

What do we need to do for this Scott?

Thanks.

Oh, and I will forever call it Sears Point as well.

[00silvergt]

From what I hear you will need to apply for a freelance photographer's license at your local city. Which means you will need a business license. All in all, it may cost you $100. Depending on how greedy your city is for its revenue. After getting that, you can go to the facilitators and ask them for a press pass, since you are now a legit photographer!

[Killjoy]

Sweet. I'll have to look into that.

Thanks for the tip Scott. Oops. I mean Garret.

Too tired. Gotta go to bed.

[00silvergt]

Originally Posted by Killjoy

Sweet. I'll have to look into that.

Thanks for the tip Scott. Oops. I mean Garret.

Too tired. Gotta go to bed.

That drive is a killer!:w00t:

[Silverstangs]

Originally Posted by JeromeL

hey i'd definitely be interested in doing this, how can i get a pass?

I just buy tickets online and bring them in. On test and tune days, the paddocks are open to the public.

[Silverstangs]

Originally Posted by Killjoy

I too would be interested in getting a pass. I would be looking at the event in August.

The end of this month is out, since we are having our daughters Birthday Party on the 31st, and that weekend in June, we are going to be getting everything together for our annual camping and boating trip.
This year I will NOT be bringing the 20D on the boat.

What do we need to do for this Scott?

Thanks.

Oh, and I will forever call it Sears Point as well.

August is going to be fun.

Then end of this month is going to be tight for me was well, but I'm gonna try to sneak it in.
Tell your daughter happy B-day and give her a big birthday hugh.

Just get a underwater housing for it:) or a rain coat and don't let any dumb people come on by

[Silverstangs]

Originally Posted by 00silvergt

From what I hear you will need to apply for a freelance photographer's license at your local city. Which means you will need a business license. All in all, it may cost you $100. Depending on how greedy your city is for its revenue. After getting that, you can go to the facilitators and ask them for a press pass, since you are now a legit photographer!

No that is not the case, we are not going there are professionals and we will not be going onto the track itself. We will only walk where the public has access to. There is one place I like to be that will allow you to cover the majority of the track.

[Killjoy]

Originally Posted by 00silvergt

That drive is a killer!:w00t:

It took me 30 minutes just to get on the bridge. Now I remember why I don't like driving in SF. The problem with that is, I dislike public transit even more.

Originally Posted by Silverstangs

I just buy tickets online and bring them in. On test and tune days, the paddocks are open to the public.

Sweet. Thanks for that info.

Originally Posted by Silverstangs

August is going to be fun.

Then end of this month is going to be tight for me was well, but I'm gonna try to sneak it in.
Tell your daughter happy B-day and give her a big birthday hugh.

Just get a underwater housing for it:) or a rain coat and don't let any dumb people come on by

I bought a Nikon Coolpix with a waterproof housing from eBay for less than I could buy an Ewa-Marine bag for the 20D. As for the dumb people coming by, sometimes you just don't have any control over that.

Originally Posted by Silverstangs

No that is not the case, we are not going there are professionals and we will not be going onto the track itself. We will only walk where the public has access to. There is one place I like to be that will allow you to cover the majority of the track.

Nice to know that. The City of Clayton wants too much for a business license, just for me to go shoot photos for my own enjoyment.

[imported_JeromeL]

I assume a telephoto is probably most useful, but any others i should throw in my bag?

[Silverstangs]

Originally Posted by JeromeL

I assume a telephoto is probably most useful, but any others i should throw in my bag?

Get a nice hat, BRINGS EARPLUGS or some sort of Ear Protection. The Loud speakers are stupid loud, and the cars are loud, especially the NASCAR cars.

A macro or extention tubes so you can get close ups of different parts of the cars if the paddoc is open. Also, Danica is very short, so a macro is needed (That's a joke people, I'm a big fan of hers).

As far as what lens to bring, of course the telephoto would be a very good requirement. I bring my 70-200mm F2.8L IS and the 2x TC, but find that I rarely put on the TC because I like to be as close to the track as possible. I would reccoment a Macro lens or extention tubes, so you can get some close up shots of parts of the cars. The lens, 24-70mm for walking around the paddock, and perhaps something like a 16-35mm for some nice wide angle shots of the cars.

For the telephotolens, bring a tripod, or Monopod so you can do some panning shots. You can consider a folding chair err I actually use this chair... WalkStool which is lightweight and easy to carry. Oh, it also supports a lot of weight.


Sometimes Mario will be walking around when Indy is around I don't bother him because he seems to always get mugged by the fans or other photographers. Umm treat the people that are part of the sport as PEOPLE.

[Killjoy]

Dang. That's a heck of a stool. Gotta put that on my wish list.
If Mario is going to be at the track, you can bet he'll also be spending some time at his winery in Napa.
Much smaller crowd there if you really want a photo op. I have been as close as two people away from him there. If I wanted to, I'm sure I could have waited two minutes, and shook his hand.
I figured like you do Scott, that he is always mugged like that.

[Silverstangs]

Yeah I'm really impressed by it. Especially the weight it can handle.

[RaceImages]

I'll be out there for the NASCAR weekend and probably the IRL-Rolex weekend in August.