Race Track Safety

[MonkeyWrench]

Thanks for the advice. My first track shoot will be May 12 and I plan to do most if not all of it from the stands. I wanted to familiarize myself with the track and hazards first. Looking more forward to enjoying the race and just hope to get some nice shots. Practice panning, high speed etc. Sounds like you've had some close encounters. The one that made you hit the ground might of been the end for me. Thanks for all your help.

[JSPhoto]

Thanks for the advice. My first track shoot will be May 12 and I plan to do most if not all of it from the stands. I wanted to familiarize myself with the track and hazards first. Looking more forward to enjoying the race and just hope to get some nice shots. Practice panning, high speed etc. Sounds like you've had some close encounters. The one that made you hit the ground might of been the end for me. Thanks for all your help.

May 12, what a fun day! Thats pole day at Indy and then I have a prom to shoot at the state fairgrounds that night....
Eldora will be a tough place to shoot from the stands, I watched one race there and it was kind of tough to watch let alone shoot. Hopefully TS added some lighting to the place too!

JS

[steelerdirtfreak]

Great post.

A couple more things I can think of...

I think this was already mentioned, but, NO CHIMPING while there is action going on. There is one knucklehead in this area that has to take a look at his LCD after every shot. WAIT until there is a break, and no cars on the track, before satisfying that urge to chimp

Wear light colored clothes. One track I shoot for has all employees in bright yellow shirts, the other has us in white; and they recommend that photographers dress in white. Make yourself easy to see.

Especially at smaller tracks, try to be in better lit areas. You're probably going to want that for your shooting anyhow, but try to avoid the areas where the lights don't hit.

And pay attention when "track packers" and push trucks are running the track in or pushing off the sprints. I've seen more than a few of those idiots try showing off to 'buds' in the stands, and end up ;osing control of their vehicle and slide thru the infield. Just last week at an area track, a track worker got hit by a push truck that lost control in the mud.

And when you find a decent place to shoot from, police the area before hand. Make sure there are no stray parts, big rocks, trash, whatever, that could trip you up if (when) you need to move in a hurry. Also check for gopher holes that are just waiting to break your ankle when you step in them.

Just some things I've learned along the way