imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Quality longer lenses = weight ! ......If you are young and muscular you might be OK handholding -

Otherwise, I suggest a monopod and video fluid head and plan for less than ideal weather- just in case.

Dan De Lion Loc: Montana

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I'd go with the 200-500. It is very sharp, lighter than the competition, and has outstanding VR. Combine all those features and you've got a hand holdable 500mms lens.

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Techrod

May I suggest the 300 mm f/4E PF ED VR with TC1.4 III - very light-weight and well-balanced combination on D750 - I use it extensively for small mammals and birds. Removing/attaching the TC gives you the choice between 300mm and 420mm. More expensive and less flexible than the zoom options but your shoulders and arms will thank you.

Chico 1948 Loc: Cincinnati

Thank you for the suggestions. Went to the St. Petersburg Grand Prix yesterday did gambled using the 28-120 f4 lens. Sure enough, not long enough. Great shots of chain link fence. Even getting to the top of the grand stands, and standing on the bench, all I could get was the top of the cars speeding by obstructed by the large cement safety barriers. Wish I could be down with the guys with the "Photo Vests" who had access to cutouts in the fence. Great race anyway. If the photos warrant (any of them) I will post.

Thank you again for the help. I have learned a lot as always on this site.

DrPhrogg Loc: NJ

I would suggest you look into renting a lens for the event. You can decide which is best. If your store rents with an option to buy, consider that.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

I like the Sigma Sport 15-600 ($2000) - I got one to use when I don't want to lug the 600mmF4 and a tripod. Hand-holdable, but it does get to feel heavier than its 6.3 lbs after a couple of hours. I have yet to use it on a tripod though.

Had the Tamron G2 ($1400) been available at the time I bought my Sport, I would have purchased it. It is just as crisp and sharp as the Sport, and almost 2 lbs lighter. That would be my first recommendation.

If you are only open to Nikon products, then the 200-500 F5.6 ($1400) is a very good choice, though somewhat (but not by much) less sharp than the Sport or the G2. If you are getting it with the intention of using it with a teleconverter, I wouldn't, though some see to swear by the combination.

The 200-400 Nikon is very sharp as well, and works nicely with a 1.4X TC III - but it costs a fortune - even used, is really heavy, and I would not recommend it for hand holding.

The rest - original Tamron 150-600, Sigma Contemporary 150-600, Nikon 80-400 VR, and the older 150-500 Sigma, 200-500 Tamron, 50-500 Sigma, etc are all not as sharp as the top three.

I picked up my Sigma Sport, used in good condition last summer from a listing in Fred Miranda for $1200. Worth every penny.