Phoenix Park Races

bovril

Phoenix Park races are on next weekend 11th and 12th August.

info here http://www.phoenixparkmotorraces.org/park.html

I know a few of you have been before, can anyone recommend good spots to get action? Here is a link to a map of the park

Phoenix park map

Also do they allow you to drive in the park that day, I am guessing they won't, where is the best place to get parking and which gate is nearest the action? Castleknock?

Can't find exact details of race times

elven

I went in the entrance by the zoo last time, there were signs for the car park - they donated a big field to the cause.

Not sure where is good to stand - but something to watch out for is having one o fthose big water tanks right in front of the bit you'd be pressing the shutter at if you're panning with the cars, because they make a horrible big white/blue streak across the picture

I saw some cracking shots from last year, non-action ones, of the minis all lined up with the doors open before their race. Well worth seeing if you can get to that bit and catch the drivers getting ready too.

Kali

Depends what type of photo you're after... easily the best spot on the track for action is the first corner, I don't know if the Vees are out there this year, but you're nearly guaranteed to get one up-over-tyre/in-air shot at that corner if they are.
For a nice framed shot the hairpin (closest to the strawberry beds exit) will be the slowest part of the track if lighting is dull/slow exposure.
Other than that a walk around the paddock should pick up a few decent photos... as said above especially in the assembly area where they're just waiting to go out.

311

Theres a nice cosy spot by the ordanance survey offices ,cars go by fairly close and theres a railing to lean against:)

bovril

Kali wrote:

easily the best spot on the track for action is the first corner

Cheers for that but I have no idea where the first corner is, can you point me in the right direction?

Brian- Borderfox mentioned the place at the ordinance survey at the zoo meet so I will deffo be there for a race or two.

Elven thanks for parking advice etc.

jlang

Funny, can't find a course map on the website but from what I remember and where they were putting out barriers yesterday, I think it was down Chesterfield Ave from Mountjoy Cross (first junction inside Castleknock Gate), then along Furze Rd and back along Ordnance Road.

bovril

If they're putting out barriers I might just pop over one night this week and do some reconnaissance work. If you see a camoflaged person driving a red fiat punto that will be me.

Borderfox

_Brian_ wrote:

Theres a nice cosy spot by the ordanance survey offices ,cars go by fairly close and theres a railing to lean against:)

Watch out for ****head marshalls on bikes giving you abuse for no good reason!! :mad:

Other than that Ordanance survey or corner at the Strawberry beds for the best shots, if you are on the main straight then bring something to stand on to get over heads. I went last year just before lunch and there was an hour and a half wait for the next race so bear this in mind when going. I think everybody got nice shots where all the cars were parked too.

Borderfox

bovril wrote:

Cheers for that but I have no idea where the first corner is, can you point me in the right direction?

Brian- Borderfox mentioned the place at the ordinance survey at the zoo meet so I will deffo be there for a race or two.

Elven thanks for parking advice etc.

Phoenix monument end of the long straight heading towards Park Gate street it takes a 120 degree right down a closed off road.

bovril

Cheers borderfox, with my height handicap I would need a 10ft ladder to see over peoples heads on the straight! I have enough to be carrying! I might try get inbetween peoples legs, I'd have a better chance.

I aim to be there early and to go both days so hopefully I will have it sussed for Sunday.

Borderfox

Be where you want to shoot early on the first day then at lunch go into the (parc ferme?) and shoot static cars, look for some reflections off the shiny ones too, I forgot to do this last time I was in.

bovril

where is the parc ferme? Somewhere near the cross?

Borderfox

Dotted is the race route and the general corners/mayhem areas.

bovril

thanks a mill for the map Borderfox. I live near the ashtown gate so I reckon I will try get parking somewhere down that end near castleknock and be near the action there. I am so exicted..woohoo

bovril

got this from the official website forum

SATURDAY, 11th AUGUST

QUALIFYING
Closed Wheel Libre 9.00
Formula Libre & F5 9.25
Formula Vee 9.50
Strykers 10.15
Irish Historics 10.40
Fiat Punto/Uno 11.05
Invited Crossle & Sports 11.30
Globals & Sheanes 11.55
Porsche 12.20
12.45
Demonstration runs
Libre & Formula 5 13.50
Formula Vee 14.20
Irish Historics 14.50
Stryker Race 15.20
Invited Crossle & Sports 15.50
Fiat Punto/Uno 16.20
Porsche 16.50
Globals & Sheanes 17.20


SUNDAY, 12th AUGUST
Supercars 9.00
Closed Wheel Libre 9.30
Globals & Sheanes 10.00
Fiat Punto 10.30
Invited Crossle & Sports 11.00
Irish Historics 11.30
Supercars 12.00

Demonstrations/Parade 12.30
Classic & Kit Cars 13.00
Crossle Anniversary Parade 13.30
Porsche 14.00
Strykers 14.30
Demo Run Bugatti Veyron 16.4 15.00
Formula Vee 15.30
Libre & Formula 5 16.00
Supercars 16.30
Fiat Uno 17.00
Closed Wheel Libre 17.30

Sebzy

Will be out at this too. Just haven't picked a spot yet.


Seb.

Dublinstiofán

Anybody get any nice shots of the couriers race over the weekend?

Missed it myself had to work.

Borderfox

Out of all the races I would be watching the Formula Vee, some green drivers and open wheel racing coming down the main straight to a hairpin bend = cars in the air!!

mdebets

Just wondering if anyone is up for a meetup on Saturday or Sunday?

Sebzy

mdebets wrote:

Just wondering if anyone is up for a meetup on Saturday or Sunday?

Sure there both days you have my mobile?

mdebets

Seb,

still have your number.
I'll try to be early on Saturday, probably around 10.

bovril

I will be there both days, hoping to make it to the first races too. Its going to be a long two days!

Sebzy

bovril wrote:

I will be there both days, hoping to make it to the first races too. Its going to be a long two days!

going to the boards beers too???

bovril

Hmm I dunno, the boards beers might mean I won't make the Sunday! I might pop in for a few 7ups though.

Sebzy

Right so will be there from about 9 on. Whoever's going see ya there.

HungryJoey

I'm heading down to the races my self. Will miss sunday tho, but Will be there today.

Hj

Sebzy

Quite good fun to be had. you guys are missing it all.

Just a quick snap

Paulw

A great day indeed, never mind the weather. Some speed and colour on show. Just a few samples of mine -

mdebets

Had great fun yesterday. Hope to see a few of you again today.
Thanks for letting me be your assistant Sebzy.

acquiescefc

Cant believe i took the camera and left the battery on charge at home.

Have to make do with video. The Veyron looked niiiice.

Damned Thing

Managed to grab an hour or two to get there and back, before I was missed
First time shooting motors in motion - hand to do it handheld with the two year kid old pulling at my leg.

ThOnda

Nice panning, great action. Well done.

acquiescefc

Couple from Saturday

ThOnda

Pinky Porshe like for Miss. Piggy :-( Why???
But the picture is great!

Sebzy

Some great panning wish I could do the same but shaky hands hinder.

Anyone like Bugatti Veyron's???

Paulw

The Bugatti was certainly stunning, standing still or especially at speed.

Sebzy

A bit of a OMG moment today.


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acquiescefc

Agreed..even with my crappy 100 euro camera.

Borderfox

Some really nice shots there guys and girls, pity the day was so rainy in the morning but it brigthened up well.

Winters

Got my nice Sony DSC-H9 just the other week and this was the first time I got to go out with it properly and take some snaps. I shall have more tomorrow when I have time to go through the several hundred pictures I took:

bovril

The Bugatti was ugly ugly beast of a thing if you ask me..

bovril

Damned Thing

Agree with Bovril, not a big fan of the Bugatti.
Nicest view of it is side on, but the front end is just pants.

Dink

Imagine this......

http://cars.uk.msn.com/News/car_news_article.aspx?cp-documentid=3786890

magicbastarder

the bugatti is not a nice car. nor is it the engineering triumph that people claim it is.

bovril

forgot to mention, thanks a mill Borderfox for your map and info, it was all spot on. I followed your map for the place for panning and stayed most of the weekend at the furry glen corner (there wasn't too much drama down there).

Morlar

Just seeing these now - some great shots there, fantastic panning too. That bugatti rules ! very batmobile !

Borderfox

bovril wrote:

forgot to mention, thanks a mill Borderfox for your map and info, it was all spot on. I followed your map for the place for panning and stayed most of the weekend at the furry glen corner (there wasn't too much drama down there).

Your very welcome, glad it helped. From the pictures looked like the first corner was the place to be especially as the track had so much rain on Friday night and it was off camber if you were on the outside turning in. You seem to be getting a taste for this motorsport shooting!!

Sebzy

Got a question for all you panners out there who was using IS while panning ?

Hope to be back again next year with a shiny new lens and IS.

bovril

Yep 1st corner looked great but if you didn't have press access there was little room to shoot.

I've always had an interest in motorsport (f1 mainly). Never had the chance to shoot it before. It's very very tough but I like it

bovril

Sebzy wrote:

Got a question for all you panners out there who was using IS while panning ?

Hands up from me! The lens I have has two IS modes. The 1st mode is for normal IS use and the 2nd mode is for panning, well so the manual says so. For once I read the manual and it paid off!