Today was the first day of on-track action at the Historic Festival 41 with practice sessions for a wide range of race cars ranging from open-wheel Formula Juniors, pre- and early-war era cars, to sports cars. Hope you like the photos.

Arrived at the track early morning, and considered my options for which part of the track to go to for the morning sessions. Usually go to the outside of Big Bend, since the light is behind you at this time of day, and illuminates the front and side of the cars as they pass by you. But decided to go some where different, and went to the inside of the Back Straight, so could photograph the cars into the light and with the light behind you.

At 10.00 am, the first practice session of the day started, with the Jim Haynes Memorial / Formula Junior cars, which honor Jim Haynes legacy. Formula Junior are open-wheeled race cars that were intended to be an entry level class. Several famous race car drivers had a background in this class, including Jim Clark and John Surtees. Started with shots of the cars as they hit the top of the Uphill Back Straight, framed by beautiful back-lit tree’s in the background.

Followed the cars as they sped over the Uphill and past the marshals stand into the Back Straight.

Stayed in this location for the 10.25 am VS2 Sports 2000 practice session. Really liked the wedge-shaped design of these sport cars, which were developed to be an “affordable” mid-engined open cockpit prototype racing car.

As the session continued, changed to a wider focal length, for 3/4 panning shots of the cars. A 1989 Lola T89/90 (top) and 1994 Doran JE1 (bottom).

Turned around for some rear photo’s of the cars as they sped along the Back Straight into West Bend. A 1985 Swift DB2.

Into West Bend with a 1983 Tiga SC83.

Between sessions, changed locations, and walked along the Back Straight to West Bend. On the way saw a cool vintage bus.

Reached West Bend for the 10.50 am War Era: Pre-War & Early Post-War practice session. Some shots of the 1935 Old Gray Mare.

Around Big Bend with a 1933 Plymouth Speedster.

For the Tin Tops / IMSA RS / Under 2.5 Litre practice session at 11.15 am, walked to West Bend for shots off the cars as they sped into the Downhill. Was great to see some Porsches from different eras, a 1987 Porsche 944 RS (top), 1974 Porsche 914 (middle) and 1968 Porsche 912 (bottom).

Also saw a 1963 Triumph Herald emerging from the shadow of the bridge above.

The next practice session was the MG Feature which started at 11.40 am. For this session, walked towards the Downhill, for shots of the cars moving through West Bend. A 1959 MG A Twin Cam.

A 1961 MG A Coupe (top), 1962 TVR Grantura (middle) and a 1953 MG TD (bottom).

By now it was about 12.00 noon, so headed down to the paddock for lunch, and on the way grabbed some photos.

After lunch, walked around the paddock, to check out the cars on display. Was great that you were able to enter the garages and get a close look of the cars, after asking if it was okay to enter and take photos. Once again, the range of historic cars on display was incredible.

Was great to be able to get up close to a 1931 Bugatti Type 37, which was one of my favorite historic cars, and could only imagine how exciting it must be to drive this car on the race track.

Also made sure I visited the Maserati car and Ducati motorbike display. Wow, a wonderful collection of priceless racing machinery.

A favorite of mine was the 1965 Ferrari 1512 F1, with its flat 12 cylinder 1.5 liter engine, which made a tremendous sound on the track.

By now it was about 2.00 pm, so walked up the hill, past the spectator viewing area, which is a great location to watch the races under the shade of some beautiful trees.

Continued walking through the Midway concession area, then caught a golf cart ride up to the top of the hill at West Bend.

Walked to the outside of Westbend for shots of the cars speeding down the Back Straight into this corner. Even though it was mid-afternoon, the trees lining the outside of the track were casting some beautiful shadows on the cars. A 1989 Lola T90 leading other VS2 Sports 2000 cars during their afternoon practice session.

 

Then walked over to the outside of the top of the Downhill. First took some shots of the cars going underneath the bridge, with the Lime Rock Park signage above. For this shot used a wide angle lens and a fast shutter speed of 1/2000 sec and timed the shutter release to capture the cars, just as they went under the bridge. A 1947 MG TC during the War Era: Pre-War & Early Post-War practice session.

Then switched to a long lens for low shots of the cars speeding into the top of the Down Hill.

Was also thinking, with the bright sunlight illuminating the top of the cars, that if I underexposed the photos, I may be able to get shots of the cars outlined with light.

Then tried to hold the shutter for as long as I could, to get “close up shots” of the cars.

Turned around for shots of the cars descending the Downhill. But for something different, timed the shot, as the cars went past an opening in the safety fencing, which gave the appearance they went down a “chute”.

This shot gives you an idea of how steep the Downhill is. It must be exhilarating to go down this hill at speed, then around the Diving Turn.

After the session ended, crossed the road, then walked down the outside of the Downhill to the Diving Turn for shots of the cars going down (top) and around this corner (second top), then along the Sam Posey Straight (bottom three).

Before the session finished, walked back up the hill, past the B Paddock, then down to the outside of the Esses for the MG Feature Group second practice session at 4.00 pm.

Started with the cars entering the Esses, then into the Lefthander. A 1960 MG A (top) and a 1965 MG B (bottom).

Headed along the inside of the track, along the short straight between the entrance to the Esses and the Lefthander for the 4.25 pm Mid-Century GT / Sportscars Under 2 Litre practice session. A 1960 Austin Healey Sprite Mk I.

Into the Lefthander with a 1984 Renault Sports Racer.

For the 4.50 pm GT / Sportscars Over 2 Litre / Sports Racing Cars practice session, started with the cars entering the Esses. A couple of shots of a 1961 Aston Martin DB4.

Then followed the cars as they sped through the Lefthander.

Next up were the Big Bore Cars / IMSA GTU Porsches practice session at 5.15 pm.

A 1970 Chevrolet Camaro (top) and 1965 Ford Mustang (bottom).

A couple of more panning shots, this time of a 1972 Porsche 914-6 (top) and a 1973 Datsun 240Z (bottom).

A 1973 Porsche 911 RSR leading a group of cars into the Lefthander.

Towards the end of the sessions, took shots of the cars as they exited the Righthander. A 1979 Porsche 911.

The last practice session of the day was the Wings and Slicks / Formula Fords at 5.40 pm. For this session, have grouped different shots of the same car together.

A 1994 Ralt-41 CSR (Mazda).

A 1971 Chevron B21 in Canon livery.

A couple of more shots to finish off this session. The low light for this late afternoon session was great. After the session ended, headed back to the town I was staying at for some dinner, then to the hotel to edit photos. Thanks for spending your time reading this photo blog.