Pit Pit Pit!!!!

[Old Timer]

Here is a series on NCTS pit stop. I had 30 plus on this stop but here are 10 that I think pretty well tell the story. This is kind of a different perspective in that you usually see a pit stop from the front of the vehicle.

[Old Timer]

And more....

[SmartWombat]

Nice series.
Coming from european racing where they have a single wheel nut, and captive systems to keep it on, I'm amazed at all those nuts littering the pit lane !

[Jimmy B]

Paul when a truck runs one over when leaving and spits it out, they hurt like the dickens when you get hit! The crews sweep them up after the stops. Some teams reuse the nuts others don't. Justin has a collection of them.
Jimmy B

[brmill26]

Good job illustrating the pit process OT. I always wondered what they did w/ the nuts.

[JETA]

I know zero about racing, but these are great fun to see OT! They are WILD!!

Of course my eye likes the great shades of green too.

[shootme]

Terrific series of shots explaining the action. I wonder how heavy those fuel tanks are they carry around? I can just imagine the fumes, noise, rush, you must of had a great time.

[Old Timer]

I know zero about racing, but these are great fun to see OT! They are WILD!!

Of course my eye likes the great shades of green too.

Thanks you Julie. I know this isn't your think but it's such a rush to watch this ballet of action and precision that I'm sure you and other can appreciate this series. And your right about the kaleidoscope of colors at the race track it's a real treat to see.

[Old Timer]

Terrific series of shots explaining the action. I wonder how heavy those fuel tanks are they carry around? I can just imagine the fumes, noise, rush, you must of had a great time.

Jimmy B can probably answer you question about weight. But your sure right about the tremendous thrill of being track side during a a big race like this.

[Jimmy B]

Shootme, the gas cans weigh about 85 pounds when full. Nothing like walking around with a bomb on your shoulder. The rear tire changer is causing sparks when he/she hits the nuts and if there is gas dripping........
Jimmy B

[shootme]

Shootme, the gas cans weigh about 85 pounds when full. Nothing like walking around with a bomb on your shoulder. The rear tire changer is causing sparks when he/she hits the nuts and if there is gas dripping........
Jimmy B

Jimmy, thanks for that, didn't know about the sparks on changing the nuts, with the speed things happen, looks like its as risky(er) being in the Pitt as it is on the track.

[JSPhoto]

Jimmy, thanks for that, didn't know about the sparks on changing the nuts, with the speed things happen, looks like its as risky(er) being in the Pitt as it is on the track.

The pits are really dangerous, especially for photographers. To begin it is really crowded between pit crews, sponsors, team quests, then add in all the media and well, you can get only so many people into those small places. You need to be a contortionist to get your pitstop shots and then get back as the car comes out of the pit which isn't always easy depending on how far your leaning across the wall. I have seen photogs hit by tires, gas cans, tools and air hoses when a car leaves the pits.
Contrary to popular belief only those who go over the wall, crew members and NASCAR officials have to have fire suits, 99% of the photogs don't wear them, but they should. I know one photog who got some pretty bad burns at Indy during 500 practice. And you always have to keep your eyes on the track as well, the only thing as bad as fire is that wheel bouncing across the track and hitting you. I know a number of photogs, myself included who have been hit by tires or parts. In my case a crew member wasn't paying attention and I was shooting a pitstop and he threw a rear tire from an IRL car over the wall and got me. He appologized and he actually meant to put it on the wall, not over it because he knew I was there. And yeah, I am in that group that doesn't wear a firesuit, just haven't had the $$ to get one....some day (famous last words ?)

And things do happen quick on pit road, getting scalded by hot water, tires blowing, air tanks blowing, fuel hoses or even tanks catching fire, car with no brakes.... anything can happen and it usually does!

JS

[shootme]

The pits are really dangerous, especially for photographers. To begin it is really crowded between pit crews, sponsors, team quests, then add in all the media and well, you can get only so many people into those small places. You need to be a contortionist to get your pitstop shots and then get back as the car comes out of the pit which isn't always easy depending on how far your leaning across the wall. I have seen photogs hit by tires, gas cans, tools and air hoses when a car leaves the pits.
Contrary to popular belief only those who go over the wall, crew members and NASCAR officials have to have fire suits, 99% of the photogs don't wear them, but they should. I know one photog who got some pretty bad burns at Indy during 500 practice. And you always have to keep your eyes on the track as well, the only thing as bad as fire is that wheel bouncing across the track and hitting you. I know a number of photogs, myself included who have been hit by tires or parts. In my case a crew member wasn't paying attention and I was shooting a pitstop and he threw a rear tire from an IRL car over the wall and got me. He appologized and he actually meant to put it on the wall, not over it because he knew I was there. And yeah, I am in that group that doesn't wear a firesuit, just haven't had the $$ to get one....some day (famous last words ?)

And things do happen quick on pit road, getting scalded by hot water, tires blowing, air tanks blowing, fuel hoses or even tanks catching fire, car with no brakes.... anything can happen and it usually does!

JS

John thanks for explaining all that it's really interesting, makes me wonder, the drivers get all the credit??? The pit crews and photogs are the quiet achievers...

[JSPhoto]

Jimmy thanks for explaining all that it's really interesting, makes me wonder, the drivers get all the credit??? The pit crews and photogs are the quiet achievers...

ummmm, I'm John not Jimmy

JS

[shootme]

ummmm, I'm John not Jimmy

JS

Sorry John, no excuse, I should have proof read. I was flipping between your comments, my reply and you tube to look for NASCAR pit road entries, very interesting, you inspired me to learn more. Again thanks for taking the time. Peter, but you can call me Jimmy

[JSPhoto]

Sorry John, no excuse, I should have proof read. I was flipping between your comments, my reply and you tube to look for NASCAR pit road entries, very interesting, you inspired me to learn more. Again thanks for taking the time. Peter, but you can call me Jimmy

No problem Peter, I couldn't resist though. Pit road is fun, but it is also the opposite with a lot of things going on and lots of people running around.
The Indy 500 is much worse than the Brickyard 400. Pole Day and Race Day the pits are absolutely nuts with thousands of people and around 200 are photographers, the rest of the people are crew members, sponsors and their guests. It's easy to tell who the rookies are on pit lane.
It's really tough to get credentialed for pit lane, at least for "Hot" access which is any time there are cars on the track. At Indy, once you get hot access you have it for life IF you show up every year and if you don't screw up. Needless to say it's really tough to get credentialed for the one or two spots that may open up. The Brickyard is pretty much the same, although pit road didn't seem as busy this year.

JS

[Old Timer]

John for many of the reason you point out I was very cautious on pit road. I was a rookie there and for sure didn't want to cause a problem. I found an empty pit near the end of pit road and took up residence there. Jimmy had also warned me about hanging over the wall with the camera. He said that was one way to get into trouble with the NASCAR boys.

[Addies Granddaddy]

Larry, nice series of shots. How'd you get the pit pass?
John

[JSPhoto]

John for many of the reason you point out I was very cautious on pit road. I was a rookie there and for sure didn't want to cause a problem. I found an empty pit near the end of pit road and took up residence there. Jimmy had also warned me about hanging over the wall with the camera. He said that was one way to get into trouble with the NASCAR boys.

I never had anyone say a word about leaning over the wall or sitting on it for that matter, but then we were always well clear when cars started moving. The biggest thing Sunday was getting run over by crew members taking tires off pit road and taking them to Goodyear in the garage area, it was never ending! I think a lot of it the Yellow Shirts know me and that I have done it a while, they tend to give the experianced shooters more leeway and the NASCAR officials tend to let the Yellow Shirts run the safety stuff for the photogs and others in the pits while the officials worry only about the teams unless it's something really serious.

JS

[Old Timer]

Larry, nice series of shots. How'd you get the pit pass?
John

Thanks John. I had a good friend with connections that set me up.