Valencia!

Such is life, but 2012 is flashing by while throwing up challenges of greater complexity and frequency than I'm used to.      Therefore, it is somewhat a shame that I'm not free to sit back in further dissect this amazing F1 season.

This season has already produced more uncertain outcomes than the prior five or six seasons combined.     If I had more time, I'd do some serious research to back up that assessment.

The European Grand Prix at Valencia was no exception.  

Valencia looks a blast to drive . . . especially the practically flat out blind weaving back to the start/finish straight . . . but until yesterday the venue had never offered much in terms of racing.   Last year's GP was probably the most boring in recent memory.

Therefore it was very much a surprise on Sunday to be treated to the stuff from which F1 legends are drawn, and Fernando Alonso's sensational drive from 11th to an emotional victory in front of his native Spanish fans will be replayed on highlight reels for years to come.   

It's hard for me to ignore the potentially symbolic nature of the Valencia podium:     Alonso, overcome with emotion, standing between Ferrari's two most recent world champions.    This crazy season is a long way from becoming subject to internet trending but if I were a betting man I might put a small fortune on this moment.

Alonso won from midfield on this circuit aforementioned for guaranteeing lackluster racing.     He came into 2012 with a dog of a car that would confound most drivers, and has demonstrated remarkable tenacity driving beyond the car's capability and respect for his team in patiently, diligently working for improvement.      Sunday Alonso and Ferrari were rewarded.   

I found Alonso parking his somewhat revitalized F2012 in front of the grandstand and unrolling his newly gifted Spanish flag reminiscent of Senna's celebrations at Interlagos.

What makes this year's European Grand Prix so exceptional, however, is that Alonso's drive was not the only noteworthy performance on display.

Alonso benefitted from a couple of key retirements, most notably Sebastian Vettel, who in typically ho-hum fashion sped away from the front.   Whatever I personally feel for the marketing entity he drives for, I have to hand it to Vettel for remaining a driver not to be discounted.    

Romain Grosjean was also sensational, and had his Lotus Renault electrical system not packed up he might have ultimately robbed victory from Alonso.     Grosjean's path into F1 has been rocky, but his speed and fight are very real.     Despite that his 2012 has so far proven a collection of peaks and valleys, he's holding his own against Kimi Raikkonen.    If he can continue to mature and avoid some of the mistakes which have cost him, he may very well finish ahead of Kimi in the final tally.

Raikkonen put in another solid drive to 2nd.    Kimi capitalized on good fortune when Hamilton's tires went off in the closing stages, but after what happened in China that pendulum was due to swing his way.     I still find Kimi perplexing.    His flashes of brilliance are often segued by moments where it appears some young lady in the grandstands might have caught his attention.      That said, he's an amazing talent, a great benefit to the sport, and I fully expect him to provide quite a show over the remainder of the year.

It was great to see Michael Schumacher back on the podium.     Two and one half seasons following his 2010 return?     I doubt most of us thought it would take that long.      It was fantastic.   I'm hoping he finds his way one or two steps up before year's end.

Finally, a word about Hamilton.    I really have to feel for the guy.      He has been thwarted by his own crew at some point in practically every GP this year.      I'm not anti-McLaren, but when it comes to how passionately and fervently many McLaren fans lash out at Ferrari, I can only laugh at their calamitous pit stops.  

I lost respect for Hamilton several years ago because he'd spend more time on the radio yelling at his team than driving the car.     The irony is that if he were doing that now I'd probably back him up!    LOL

Regarding his clash with Maldonado, I laugh at claims that Hamilton was an innocent victim of an overly aggressive overtaking attempt.     Hamilton was not t-boned.    Much to the contrary, he drove over Maldonado's wheel as result of an ill conceived attempt to squeeze Pastor and protect his position.     The accident was a racing incident, nothing more, with both drivers carrying equal blame.

All in all an absolutely fantastic European Grand Prix . . . and we've much to look forward to as the circus now moves to the core of the European season and some of the fastest, most fabled circuits on the calendar.

  

Moving on . . .

With news that the legal dispute between Tavo Hellmund and his former partners with The Circuit of the Americas has been resolved, its time to get back to everything we should be focusing upon with the return of the United States F1 Grand Prix.

Tickets have finally gone on sale, and despite the all of the nonsense associated with the Personal Seat License fiasco, they have arrived fairly consistent with the prices of Grands Prix I've attended in Europe and Montreal.    I realize many do not share this assessment, but to be honest I get the suspicion that their orientation on F1 ticket pricing is based solely upon the very unique way things were at Indianapolis.

Austin may not offer Indianapolis' expertise and infrastructure when it comes to getting everyone to and from the circuit.     Those of us who chose not to cough up the dough for a PSL will be shuttled.     Given the lack of road improvements and parking, this actually makes a lot of sense, but it must be adequately funded and properly executed.     I must wonder whether the surrounding roads will be able to handle the shuttle traffic alone, so I can only hope that they've got a solid plan in place to keep those buses moving.

That said, I'm looking forward to a great weekend in Austin.     There's plenty of positives to focus upon and that's what I intend to do from this point forward.     Looking back over the past eight months The United States Grand Prix has teetered on the brink of disaster.     The fact is that we are still here, the race is a certainty,  and Hellmund's vision, more than partially intact, is about to become reality.  

We've much to be thankful for.    The race could have remained attached to Montreal's June date thus requiring all of us to sweat it out under an oppressive Texas summer sun.    Cooler heads prevailed, and the November date comes with the added potential that the title could be decided on US soil.     (Speaking of Montreal, Sunday's Grand Prix du Canada convinced me that the world championship will be wide open when the lights go out in front of all of those PSL premium seats, but I digress . . . )
Having cleared all of these hurdles, I fully expect that the buzz surrounding the USGP in Austin will finally begin to pick up momentum.  

Growing up in Atlanta, I'd always hoped that the USGP might one day come to Road Atlanta.    I remember a good friend and Porsche race car mechanic musing that the F1 cars would shave ten seconds off the lap times set by the GT Prototypes of the era.     Ten seconds was probably fantasy, but I could only imagine what it would have been like to see Senna, Piquet, Prost attacking that wonderful undulating circuit in the mid to late 1980s!

I have no idea whether the people of Austin realize this, but my belief is that this is the beginning of something for which they'll be very proud of in years to come.    

A Proper World Championship

Five races.   Three continents.   Five winners, four nationalities.    Five constructors . . . three engine manufacturers of three separate countries . . . a virtually elusive grid featuring drivers of three other nationalities and teams from another two who almost certain will also taste victory . . . and we are only one quarter of the way into the season.

This is F1 circa 2012 and it's one helluva show.    We may be witnessing the most chimerical example of the world championship F1 has offered yet.     I also doubt very seriously that either title will be decided by the time the teams reach Austin in November, which bodes well for the USGP.  

This sport which I so obviously adore only seems to get better and better.    Each era in the sport's history has provided unique memories for the ages, but despite the ever shifting technological front, heavier rule books, and over populated steward's quarters in economically challenging times, 2012 may prove that at the heart of the matter that spirit has not been lost.

No driver or team has established anything close to resembling dominance.    Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel currently reside at the top of the points table despite the fact that both men are struggling with lessor machinery, a testament to their skill and race craft.    Kimi Räikkönen has impressed and arguably returned to the form he initially brought to Ferrari.     We have two very deserved first time winners, Rosberg and Maldonado, and my feeling is that Monaco will deliver the season's sixth different victor.

Although evident from the outset in Melbourne, Spain clearly reinforced Pirelli's ante in determining who can go not only quickest but smoothest.      I find it fascinating that Maldonado, Alonso, and Raikkonen, each at different stages of the Grand Prix, set the Catalunya pace.  

It's going to be a very tough road forward to predict.

Dog Star

It's hard to imagine that I'll ever tire of the atmosphere at Laguna Seca on the Monterey Peninsula.    I've been fortunate to take in over a half dozen race weekends since seeing the circuit for the first time just a few years ago.  

Between the micro climates that roll across the peninsula, the sunshine combines with pleasant, cool marine air to create an energy that I'm certain I'm not alone in drawing upon.  

On one of my first visits, I left Monterey with an indelible memento of that energy which I carry with me to every race circuit I've been since.    During one lull between sessions, I could not help but notice the circuit piping Perry Farrell's "Wish Upon a Dog Star" over the tinny sound system.

There is an energy in that piece of pop music (love the bass line LOL) that is in my mind synonymous with throwing a car into a corner on full opposite lock!    Whether I'm at Laguna Seca, Road Atlanta, or Monza, I'll listen to that track in the morning on my way to the circuit . . . perhaps to further stimulate my focus on capturing something unique on camera.    

Anyway, I'm still learning . . . and with news that I've acquired media credentials for this weekend's "Ferrari Racing Days" Challenge event, I'm hoping to channel Laguna Seca's energy beyond merely wishing to creating work that celebrates everything that is amazing about motor sport.

The laughable thing, however, is that I don't know whether I'm better at air guitar thumpin' that bass, or air double de-clutch downshifting . . .  

CLICK HERE for American Le Mans/Monterey Slide Show

Cheers

What it's all about . . .

Here's a story that any enthusiast will appreciate . . . a 1962 Porsche Roadster, originally posted in March of last year

Grind

I came across the following article on the "Friends of F1 Austin Texas" Facebook page.

The Austin F1 page has proven a great resource for keeping abreast of the Austin F1 endeavor, and is one place where honest discussion of the challenges with that effort occurs with any objective intelligence.

Regarding the article, I do not know the writer.     I wanted to post a comment on his blogspot page, but it appears he has disabled the comment feature.     I don't know, maybe I'm an idiot and simply missed it, but I kind of get the impression that he's not encouraging anyone to chime in.

Therefore I'm relying on the power of the internet to do that here.     Here goes.

I'll admit straight away that I found Mr. Knight's article extremely annoying.      

Comments such as:

" . . . Americans are reawakened to Formula One.  . . . . So far, I can't say I've seen much interest." 
" . . . America's ticket buying public knows as much about the drivers as they do rugby stars, and that the U.S. media has precious little access  . . . to build name recognition here" 


appear designed simply to reinforce a myth that there is no market for F1 in the US.


Contrary to this assertion, there is no shortage of interest in the return of the United States Grand Prix.     Specific to F1, Americans do not need "reawakening."     Hiring "ambassadors" will not address the real challenges facing the effort in Austin.     If ticket sales are falling short, it's not due to a lack of interest . . . it's due to missteps on behalf of CoTA management.

How do I know?     If hotel accommodations are any measure, almost every hotel room in Austin is booked . . . by US F1 fans.    I can testify that if one did not get a reservation in place within first days of the original race date announcement, they did not get a room.    

It is only because the race date graciously shifted to November that allowed many to later find accommodations in the shuffle.     When one considers that many visitors from abroad may have not even tried to book because of CoTA's back assward approach to ticket sales . . . you get my point.  

If Mr. Knight's objective is to take issue with CoTA, I've no complaint.     I've already voiced my concerns here and at times participate in the discussion on the "Friends of Austin F1" Facebook page.    

If Mr. Knight's objective is to further the false belief that F1 can not work in the US, then I've got a major beef.

Over the years, I've grown weary of repetitive suggestion in the media that the problems with F1 in the US have anything at all to do with the ticket buying public.     I even wonder at times if certain pundits in the US motor sport media are somehow afraid of F1 being successful here?  

The truth is that the American F1 fan has long needed a venue worthy of the sport.     Given the run of wretched street circuits followed by the failed mickey mouse effort at Indianapolis, there has not been a F1 race in the US which provided anyone a chance to witness these incredible cars and drivers perform at their normal, absolute limit.

Tavo Hellmund's vision for a purpose built circuit outside of one of America's more pleasant and fun places to visit had the potential to right that wrong.    It was never going to be easy, but certain aspects of CoTA's approach since Hellmund's departure have merited question if not outright concern and criticism.  

Austin's fortunes hinge not on PR ambassadors nearly as much as they do CoTA's ability to serve their customer base . . . thousands of US F1 fans.     Perhaps it is time that those in the motor sport media did the same.

Tough shoot

I ventured to Barber Motorsport Park in Birmingham last weekend to shoot the Porsche 250 Grand-AM (a Rolex Sportscar series event) and the Indycar Grand Prix of Alabama.    This was my first trip to Barber, a venue which I knew little about but had heard nothing short of high praise for over the years.    Having missed Sebring I needed to get back behind the lens asap and this race weekend was the next likely target on my calendar.  

In hindsight, I might have benefitted from burning a little midnight oil research over relying strictly on hearsay.    I still know very little about the circuit . . . the hows, whys, and for whom it was originally constructed . . . and once I log this post I will take proper time to uncover those answers.    

In the meantime, I would like to pass along my impressions of what proved hands down to be the toughest weekend I've encountered over my brief foray into photographing motor sport.

Trying to build a portfolio of fast cars while relegated outside the fencing of any motor sport venue is never easy.    I'm beginning to understand that commanding a craft is gravy when compared against how one actually practices that craft in the real world.    Shooting without the benefit of credentials is an incredible handicap . . . especially in this arena where safety precaution is paramount.

I'm not complaining.    This is a pursuit that I love; I'm not one to shy away from a challenge.     However there is a financial aspect and when it comes to selecting future venues at this stage of my journey, I doubt that I will return to Barber without credentials.

Please keep in mind that what follows is in no way designed to discourage anyone from attending and enjoying a motor sport event at Barber.      The museum alone is a must-see for any enthusiast, and if I were looking at this through purely spectator's eyes, I'd exclaim Barber to provide a grand time for all.    The circuit even runs a free shuttle running the perimeter of the facility . . . a very welcome feature indeed.

The circuit is nestled within a rolling forest which offers a surprising frequency of elevation change.    For this fact alone, Barber should be a photographer's paradise.     Somehow, I feel that consideration got left out of everything that transpired once the circuit was originally cut into these hills.

Barber features long, almost multi apex turns on each most northern corner, just prior and aft the pit straight.     Both of these signature corners offer sweeping spectator vistas along the exterior hillside.     They also offer elevation on tree lined interior hillsides, but their ideal vantage is not accessible to any non-credentialed photographer.

Blah, blah, blah.   I took some quick shots in the hope that I might assist the next photographer making their first visit to road racing in Alabama.      To avoid needless elaboration,  I've simply referenced aspects within each photo that summarize my impression of the circuit from a photographic perspective:

The photo above depicts the rise from turn 13 heading toward turn 14 and entry to the W-NW corner described above.  

A)   secondary fencing (lined with shrubbery), significantly distanced, (and in this case) downhill from the crest of the hill thus making the circuit impossible to see
B)   gaps in fencing are rare, even for a race course, and provide poor vantage at considerable distance, As one would expect, they are well off the probable path of debris in the event of an incident, but unusually narrow
C)    runoff area and fencing arguably extreme given the entry speed into the corner (13)

The photo above depicts turn 12

D)  the primary safety fencing rises to meet the height of the surrounding elevated viewing, not the height dictated by the direction and speed of travel of the cars
E)   circuit incident clearance vehicles, instead of being parked inside the circuit where no accessible vantage points exist, instead serve to further limit and inhibit potential shooting angles
F)    shrubbery looks nice and provides sense of being at a golf course, but in many areas is not trimmed tight enough as to not obstruct lensing
G)   secondary fencing again significantly distanced . . . such that even with slow shutters, it becomes difficult to defeat the single layer of primary fencing due to the optical physics involved as related to proximity to subject and focal distance

Angle on long straight headed toward turn 12

H)   despite height and distance from circuit, fencing still rises to obstruct perspective
I)     kind of hard to see in shadow, but the secondary fencing is again distanced and in this instance lower than shrubbery, restricting adequate camera perspective

Angle down long straight toward exit of turn 11 chicane

This single image serves as a nice summary of the challenges facing a photographer at Barber

Top of crest between turns 13 and 14, looking toward 14

I've added this image to demonstrate that there are very few work arounds.    Simply trying to devise a fresh perspective on the racing cars is not enough.

Single vantage on the turn 8 and 9 chicane, from NE corner of museum front lawn

Finally, I would be remiss to overlook the single most distressing factor of photographing a motor sport event at Barber.    

The chicane which breaks the downhill entry to turn 9 is . . . for all intents and purposes . . . not visible to anyone lacking proper credentials.      This is a shame as it is the only place on the circuit where, with any reasonable effort, a photographer could capture sports cars getting air over the inside curbing.    This complex would also provide a photographer ample opportunity to stack cars fighting for position, as the braking entry to 8 comes off of one of the circuit's longer straights.

I brought home a couple of good images from my weekend at Barber, but nowhere near the variety and quantity of images that I expected.    I was fortunate to discover a single hole in the fence near the crest of the rise out to turn 13; this was not a gift, but instead the product of sheer determination.     That said, it was a very difficult blind rise to capture and I needed 400mm when I only had 500mm.

Click here if you'd like to see my bounty.    I'll be updating with more images in the coming days.

Cheers