Anticipation

[Mike Mancil]

My friend signed up for a "ride along" at Talladega Race Track and, not being quite as adventurous (crazy) as I am, seemed to be a little apprehensive. He took the ride, 4 laps at near race speed, and loved it. I rode a different car and also took the class and drove one for 8 laps, a fantastic experience.


D300, Nikkor 80-200 f/2.8 @ f/7.1, 1/100 sec, ISO 400, 135mm, hand held.

 

[AlanLichty]

I spent 7 years as an instructor for the Audi, BMW and Porsche cars clubs at Portland International Raceway and during that time got quite familiar with the expression on your friend's face. It's pretty easy to turn that into an ear to ear grin once you get underway

Loads of fun but it's not a cheap pastime to indulge in. Folks in the car clubs (self included) were often using their street cars for driving events and in 20/20 hindsight we added an incredible amount of wear and tear to our vehicles out on the track.

 

[Mike Mancil]

I spent 7 years as an instructor for the Audi, BMW and Porsche cars clubs at Portland International Raceway and during that time got quite familiar with the expression on your friend's face. It's pretty easy to turn that into an ear to ear grin once you get underway
Loads of fun but it's not a cheap pastime to indulge in. Folks in the car clubs (self included) were often using their street cars for driving events and in 20/20 hindsight we added an incredible amount of wear and tear to our vehicles out on the track.

Wow, now that would be an experience. Here's a picture of me driving and giving my wife a small wave (from inside the slipstream). At approx. 160 MPH I couldn't see her but just acknowledged the grandstand. Now, my wife never picks up my camera but I gave her a short tutorial on proper stance, panning and put it on high speed shutter. I thought she did an excellent job...

Definitely just a bucket list checkmark, way too expensive for a hobby!!

 

[AlanLichty]

Very nice - esp. doing this in someone else's vehicle. A little disconcerting to have to crawl through the window to get in but the roll cage and 6 point harness is reassuring.

 

[Ben Egbert]

I was a drag racer in the 1960's and a motercyle (off road) in the 1970's, I can well appreciate the feeling. Two fine shots, especially the first.

 

[Mike Mancil]

I was a drag racer in the 1960's and a motercyle (off road) in the 1970's, I can well appreciate the feeling. Two fine shots, especially the first.

Thanks! Ok, this is interesting, all the secret lives of the mild-mannered photogs are slipping out! ... Mike

 

[AlanLichty]

Thanks! Ok, this is interesting, all the secret lives of the mild-mannered photogs are slipping out! ... Mike

My coastal photo sessions initially all started out with a few days at Thunderhill Raceway near Willows CA followed by taking the twistiest roads I could find over to the coast near Mendocino and then shooting my way up the coastline to get back home.