Arrived at the track around 7.15 am, so had time to set-up my camera gear and get into position at the outside of the Inner Loop for practice 2 of the WeatherTech Championship cars at 8.00 am. Before the session started some of the manufacturer’s took guests on hot laps around the track.

At this location, typically start with front shots of the cars navigating the Inner Loop using a long lens, as illustrated above with the #96 Turner BMW M4 GT3 Motorsport.

As the session continued, the sky got darker, the lights on the cars got brighter and the yellow paint on the kerbing appeared to glow. The #95 Turner Motorsport BMW M4 GT3 (top), #61 Af Corse (middle) and #023 Triarsi Competizione Ferrari 296 GT3’s (bottom).

Moved from the Inner Loop, to about half-way along the short straight to Turn 5. From here you can get a lower elevation perspective of the cars moving through and exiting the Inner Loop. The #95 Turner Motorsport BMW M4 GT3 and a BMW M Team RLL BMW M Hybrid V8 in the foreground (top) and the #70 Inception Racing McLaren 720S GT3 EVO (bottom).

Also tried some very low shutter speed pans of the cars, and tried to time the shots so a car in the foreground passed the car in the background. At low shutter speeds the car in the foreground will appear as a blur adding movement and color to the photo, as well as helping to “frame” the car in the background. Of course you miss a lot of shots, but when you get one, it feels great that you could make your photography plan work. The #23 Heart of Racing Team Aston Martin Vantage GT3.

The #25 BMW M Team RLL BMW M Team RLL (top) and the #60 Meyer Shank Racing w/Curb Agajanian Acura ARX-06 (bottom).

Then some side panning shots. The sleek lines of the #023 Triarsi Competizione Ferrari 296 GT3.

Last up, some rear shots of the cars entering the Outer Loop.

Since Race 2 for the Lamborghini Super Trofeo didn’t start until 11.10 am, had time to move over to the inside of the Inner Loop. For the start shot, went to the top of a photographers stand which gives you an elevated view of this part of the track. The #1 Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti Autosport Lamborghini Huracan Super Trofeo Evo2 leading the field through the Inner Loop.

Walked back down to ground level, and want to the left side of the platform, then pushed the 500mm lens right up against the catch fencing for panning shots of the cars as they entered the Inner Loop, Here’s a couple of shots of the #14 Flying Lizard Motorsports Lamborghini Newport Beach Lamborghini Huracan Super Trofeo Evo2.

Also tried some slow shutter speed panning shots. The #8 Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti Autosport Lamborghini Huracan Super Trofeo Evo2.

Next up, took some 3/4 panning shots of the cars going through the Inner Loop. The #70 Forte Racing Powered by US RaceTronics (top) and #17 NTE Sport LLC (bottom) Lamborghini Huracan Super Trofeo Evo2’s.

Stayed in this location for Race 2 of the Porsche Carrera Cup which started at 12.20 pm. Race start.

The #74 MDK Motorsports Porsche 992 leading other Porsches through the Inner Loop.

Up close with the #9 JDX Racing Porsche 992.

Noticed their was part of the Inner Loop where the cars would hit the kerbing, causing there driver side wheels to lift into the air, as illustrated by the #98 JDX Racing Porsche 992.

Next up, captured shots of the cars exiting the Inner Loop, which is a great location to photograph the cars hitting the dirt. The #9 JDX Racing (top) and #82 ACI Motorsports (bottom) Porsche 992’s.

At 1.20 pm, qualifying for the WeatherTech Championship cars started. The red colored cars really “popped” under the darkening skies. The Af Corse Ferrari 296 GT3 (top) and #9 Pfaff Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) (bottom).

However, during the LMP qualifying session, the rain started to pour down, leading to the premature end of qualifying. Really like to shoot in the rain, since there is always the chance of capturing the “rooster tail” of water streaming from the rear of the cars. The #17 AWA Duqueine D08 (top), #20 High Class Racing ORECA LMP2 07 (middle) and the #85 JDC Miller MotorSports Duqueine D08 (bottom).

Hoping my “friend” was able to get out of the rain. Headed back to the car, then to the media center to dry off, get some lunch and download photos.

The main event for today, was the Sahlen’s 120 At The Glen for the Michelin Pilot series. Before the race started, took some photos of the cars during the spectator grid walk. However, looking up into the sky, it was evident that a storm was going to hit the track shortly. The #10 Rockwell Autosport Development Audi RS3 LMS SEQ (top) and the #99 Victor Gonzalez Racing Team Honda Civic FK7 TCR (bottom).

Headed off to the grandstand at the end of Turn 1, so could capture elevated shots of the race start. However, when I got to the grandstand, the sky opened up with torrential rain, so went under the grandstand for cover. Despite being under the grandstand, still got wet, since the rain was coming down so heavily that it was penetrating the seating area above. After the rain subsided, the staff started to remove the standing water from the track (top), then the cars left pit lane (bottom). Was also good to see that some spectators braved the weather and stayed for the race.

After a few laps behind the safety car (top), the 50 minute delayed race started on a wet track under a late afternoon blue sky (bottom).

Headed down the grandstand, then walked down the Turn 1 to 2 hill to capture shots of the cars in this part of the track. The #33 Bryan Herta Autosport with Curb Agajanian Hyundai Elantra N TCR.

Kept walking down the hill for vantage points for front shots of the cars. The #37 LA Honda World Racing Honda Civic FL5 TCR (top) and the #09 Automatic Racing Aston Martin Vantage GT4 (bottom).

By the time I got to Turn 2, the sun started to come out. The #39 CarBahn with Peregrine Racing Porsche 718 GT4 RS CS speeding uphill into Turn 3.

Walked back up the hill to the photographers hole along the front straight for panning shots of the cars. The#69 Motorsports In Action McLaren Artura GT4 (top) and the #96 Turner Motorsport BMW M4 GT4 (G82), which would go on to win GS class (bottom).

Got back to the podium in time for the post race celebrations. Was cool to see the GS race winning car being painted (top) and the GS podium celebrations, with the Turner Motorsport team taking first and second places. After the podium, headed to the media center to download and edit the days photos. Was a long day, but had a great time. Thanks for spending your time reading this blog.