Drag racing

I haven't been to a meet for a while...like 2yrs!. yes i go to some small events like hotrod/nostalgia meets, were i can actually get to the start line like the pro's. but not the major events. why? because i cant get past the staging lanes for a good shot and the price has gone up over the years. last time i went (and it's only 5mins drive away!) it was @ $36 for an adult. yesterday it was $46!!!! WTF?? how are family's supposed to afford this?
if i do go it's usually a big meet, like yesterdays "Boxing day Nitro funny car challenge". they had 4 Nitro fuel cars ready to run, and a few cars i haven't seen plus others that have had a makeover. yeah i know 4 isn't much, but dont forget we are in the west of Australia. 1500kms from the next biggest city and really we are all alone over here, so big teams from the east dont usually make it this far.
the best time is after lunch while the sun is still high, but as it was @ 38/40 degrees C  i waited till 4pm once the wind made it bearable. the problem with getting there later is the shadows from the west bank gradually goes across the track making photography a pain as 1 lane is in full sun and the other in shadows. yes you can still get some pit area shots of teams readying their cars and general movement. but for track pics it sucks. and when the shadow crosses over to the other side of the track you now have to bump up your ISO to keep your F stop reasonable to capture a good pan. as the day goes away you really need an F2.8 or better (high ISO) to get great shots or they'll look too grainy (as mine did). also unless your there with friends it can get quite boring. but hey, i was there to enjoy the racing and hopefully get some usable shots.

click on pics for full size!

an old Pontiac giving it some curry!

i thought this was funny!

The heat haze generated by these cars is immense!

too bright to see the flames yet!

Enough cameras??

 

setting sun

some of the super street guys cant help but put on a smoke display!

 

9PM!

and then the big guys start!

much flamage!

 

damn hard to get these guys in full flight!

Well, it may be a while before i get back here for a big meet. i'm not fussed, i'll just sit outside my place and listen to them instead!

cheerio for now ;)