Closeups in motion

I thought I'd try pushing myself and the 70-200 by getting cockpit shots on the track.
Hard to pan with the magnification, but I got enough successes to make it worthwhile.
What do you think, was it worth a couple of hours?

Beautifully done! Yes I would say these image were well worth the time and effort spent to produce them. Once again I think that your #1 image is the winner here.

Thanks again, OT.

Maybe I should try to post the best image last, you always go for #1 :)

It's reassuring to get good feedback, but a little disconcerting too.
I know I can always improve, but I wasn't expecting this - maybe I should re-post in critique !!

One thing I've discovered about the 20D, the servo AF sometimes only groks it on image 2 of a series.
Even with a 2.8 L lens, the outer (non-cross type) AF points are far less reliable, to the level where I wouldn't depend on them.
That's why so many of my shots have the driver near the centre, becuase the AF point is (meant to be) on the helmet.

I have tried with pre-focussing and that works fine, as long as the driver is on the racing line!
Lock up a wheel, or even on rare occasional some overtaking, and I find it's not possible to refocus while panning with the car.

I know in the consumer cameras, the centre sensor is normally the only cross-type, is it different in the higher end models?