Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix: I'm going to try and make it down this year and was looking for some advice from people that have been there. I know there will be people lining both...

pigpen

I'm going to try and make it down this year and was looking for some advice from people that have been there. I know there will be people lining both sides of the track. Can anyone tell me where I might find a vantage point where there will be no people on the other side, such as a hill, or maybe a wall? I'd like to make some attempts at panning (with a monopod) and long exposure (tripod). When I say "long exposure", I mean 1/4 or 1/3 of a second, just long enough to have the rear of the car blurred and the very front in focus. I'm trying to keep people (????) out of the images, that's why I'm looking for a hillside or wall as a background. Also, any tips on camera settings from people who've done this sort of thing would be greatly appreciated. Thanking you all in advance. :thumbup:

Ched49 Loc: Pittsburgh, Pa.

I've never been to one but I have heard there are a lot of great vantage points. My guess would be to contact the Tribune Review or the Post-Gazete for info, I'm not sure but I think Shop N' Save sponsors the event, maby you can get info from them for a track lay-out. Sorry I can't give you more. That would be a great photo opportunity. Post some pictures.

pigpen

cjkorb wrote:

I've never been to one but I have heard there are a lot of great vantage points. My guess would be to contact the Tribune Review or the Post-Gazete for info, I'm not sure but I think Shop N' Save sponsors the event, maby you can get info from them for a track lay-out. Sorry I can't give you more. That would be a great photo opportunity. Post some pictures.

Thanks for the reply. I think my best bet is Saturday. For most of the morning hours, the track will be used for "practice" runs by the racers. I'd think the crowds would be smaller, and this might allow me to move from one vantage point to another. I will post what I get, if I go.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Sorry

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Pig, I've, never even heard of it. My only experience is with Laguna Seca and Infineon. Unless you are in a photo area, it's hard to get good vantage points without prior knowledge. What I take to events, unless you are going to claim a spot REALLY early, I take a 3 foot stepstool. If your going to use a mono, it needs to be tall as well.
Most raceways have double fencing in all the tricky areas. Shooting through one chain link fence is easy with a long lens, but two fences is a problem. Even all bridgeways are completely covered.
Good luck. SS
PS, if you can't get help, look at uTubes of previous races. That could possibly help.
Edit: it dawned on me that a GP is probably on the streets. So my info is probably not good.
But the stool will still work.

Photogdog Loc: New Kensington, PA

pigpen wrote:

I'm going to try and make it down this year and wa... (show quote)

Never been to it but I'd like to try and shoot it. My advice would be to get there early to set up and get a good position. I'm probably going to take my Canon 7D (Fast Autofocus along with my Canon 24-70mm f2.8 zoom and a Manfrotto monopod). I might take along my Sony RX 1 just for some fun shots.

Wall-E Loc: Phoenix, AZ

I waited to see if any actual locals were going to respond.
Guess that's not going to happen.

I've shot some club stuff at FireBird Raceway just south of Phoenix.

As I looked at the map, the 3 areas that caught my eye were:

The hay bales. That slows the cars down, and they twist and turn to get through the chicane. And it's furthest from the vendor 'carnival'.

The hill. The map indicates it's a great place for the cars to pass. Opportunities for cars running side-by-side. Probably want to be on the outside, just as they clear the top and make the right turn.

And the last turns before the start/finish. Going through the concrete walls. But I expect a huge crowd there since it's near the vendors.

Ched49 Loc: Pittsburgh, Pa.

pigpen wrote:

Thanks for the reply. I think my best bet is Saturday. For most of the morning hours, the track will be used for "practice" runs by the racers. I'd think the crowds would be smaller, and this might allow me to move from one vantage point to another. I will post what I get, if I go.

That sounds like a great idea...good luck!

neilds37 Loc: Port Angeles, WA

Try Google Earth. If you can find the track it may provide your answer. Good luck!
Cheers, Neil

Photogdog Loc: New Kensington, PA

Wall-E wrote:

I waited to see if any actual locals were going to... (show quote)

Hey, I live in Pittsburgh! Didn't you see my avatar?

pigpen

Wall-E wrote:

I waited to see if any actual locals were going to... (show quote)

Thanks, I did find the course map at their website. The 180o turn looks like a place to try as they will obviously (hopefully) slow down for this. This turn is away from vendors, and close to where I'll be parking. I plan on getting there early (maybe. I just had a cold beer and it tastes like another :oops: ) I may do a walk-about without my gear if I get there early enough. Then there is the old stand-by, look for someone carrying camera equipment and start asking them questions.

Thanks all. I will post shots if I go.

Wall-E Loc: Phoenix, AZ

Photogdog wrote:

Hey, I live in Pittsburgh! Didn't you see my avatar?

My humble apologies.

Photogdog Loc: New Kensington, PA

Wall-E wrote:

My humble apologies.

It's cool!

pigpen

Photogdog wrote:

Hey, I live in Pittsburgh! Didn't you see my avatar?

I'll meet you at the beer vendor. The first is on me, the rest on you.

Photogdog Loc: New Kensington, PA

pigpen wrote:

I'll meet you at the beer vendor. The first is on me, the rest on you.

Dig that! How about the first round is Redds Apple Ale? I just tried it and ice cold, it's hard to beat.