A1 GP

[gstark]

The A1GP is coming to Eastern Creek, over the first weekend in February.

I expect that several members will be going .... hands up please?

[sheepie]

Had a ball last year, will definately be there this year

It helps that NZ is going 'ok' in the series too

[gstark]

will definately be there this year

So I've heard.

[Reschsmooth]

I expect to be going (on practice day it appears), but we may be stuck hanging around the garages or driving around and around!

[Paul]

I'll be there on the sunday

[Benny2707]

I'm definently keen to go and if you guys are heading out and I may be able to tag along and get some hints and tips?

I'm a mad keen motorsport fan. I hate going GA though, is there anyway we can get better passes?

[idleowen]

I'm keen on catching some motor sport close to home so I'm thinking of going.Few questions for those that have been before :
1.Noticed a 'paddock experience' ticket is available for Saturday,sounds like good photo opportunities,has anybody done this before?
2.Main difference between days in terms of photography is that on Saturdays will only get to shoot 'individual' cars doing qualifying laps as opposed to Sundays race when all cars competing together and can shoot 'group' shots.
3.Are there any other category races on Sundays or just the a1 cars.
thks Nigel

[dviv]

I'd be keen for Sunday.

Never photographed at a race before so would love to tag along and learn (If possible).

[Benny2707]

All I could find...

Practice: Friday, 01 Feb, 2008

Qualifying: Saturday, 02 Feb, 2008

Race: Sunday, 03 Feb, 2008

Sprint race: 11:00 AM (Local Time)

Feature race: 3:00 PM (Local Time)

[MCWB]

I'm keen on catching some motor sport close to home so I'm thinking of going.Few questions for those that have been before :
1.Noticed a 'paddock experience' ticket is available for Saturday,sounds like good photo opportunities,has anybody done this before?
2.Main difference between days in terms of photography is that on Saturdays will only get to shoot 'individual' cars doing qualifying laps as opposed to Sundays race when all cars competing together and can shoot 'group' shots.
3.Are there any other category races on Sundays or just the a1 cars.
thks Nigel

1. Paddock pass is probably worth it, means you can wander around all the support categories. If you have spare time and no-one with you this is a great option.
2. Yes and no, at times quaifying gets pretty congested too!
3. Yes, supports will be Australian Formula 3, Australian GT and Historic Formula 2/Formula Atlantic.

My photos from last year are in this gallery if you want to have a squiz at what's possible. General admission tickets are fine, EC is a great place to shoot at especially if you're willing to walk a bit!

Gladys and I will definitely be going, definitely on Sunday and I'll probably do Saturday as well.

[Nnnnsic]

I expect I'll be there most of the weekend...

[Raskill]

Got to give it a miss.....

My real life job has gotten in the way. Pity, I was working on media accred for it also.

DAMN IT!!!!!

[ABG]

I'll be there, but not exactly sure which days yet. If I can manage to get the time, I'll be there Saturday and Sunday.

[Nafe]

As MCWB has pointed out, Eastern Creek is a great place for the amateur/non-accredited shooter.

Very popular is the outside of Turn 1 and 2. A bit of a walk, but well worth it. Cars locking brakes, hanging the tail out etc.

Outside of Turn 1 shooting towards the end of the straight is great for practicing your high speed panning.

Turn 4 out the back of the paddock/skidpan area is also popular. Although no more airborne cars as they have fixed the bump on the crest going over the bridge into T4. Still a good spot though.

Top of the Straight (Turn 12) is also good with cars accelerating hard onto the straight.

Around the back to the Turn 5/6/7 combos is a fairly long walk, so be prepared with comfy shoes!

I will be there all weekend again this year

[MCWB]

Program here.

[gstark]

Here's an interesting challenge for y'all.

Let's say that you don't drive, but you want to go to the A1GP; you need to rely on public transport.

Fergedaboudit!

In Melbourne, they actively encourage you to go by public transport: ticket prices include tram fares to and from the circuit, no parking or vehicular (residents excepted) within several blocks of the circuit ...

In Sydney .... not a bloody thing. No shuttles from Blacktown or Parramatta stations (which I think would be the minimum they should be offering) ...

If it was held at Homebush Bay - where there is an similar deficiency of facilities beyond the event - most events include the cost of train fares there ... but for Eastern Creek, unless you drive, you're up the bloody creek.

Is it any wonder that this is not a well supported event?

[Benny2707]

Yet another one of the reasons I won't be voting for Morris at the next election. Quite apart from everything else it's bloody awful hearing from him that they won't make a play for the V8 Supercars at Homebush.

Homebush, whilst hot, dry and a little too far from Bondi would be an ideal location for something like a street race. I've no idea why they brushed it. The money isn't going on public transport or health that's for sure.

But you're right Gary, with no car there is no A1 for the punters.

[Reschsmooth]

I have two 3 day GA tickets available to anyone who wants them - covering from 1-3 Feb (obviously). I don't think these are stand tickets. Tickets can be picked up from Brookvale or I can express post them for tomorrow (just cover the cost of the envelope). .

[barry]

Patrick, would love that take of your hands. PM sent.

[Nnnnsic]

But you're right Gary, with no car there is no A1 for the punters.

Which makes it difficult for those of us who weren't able to obtain press passes for everyone else. Grr...

[Benny2707]

But you're right Gary, with no car there is no A1 for the punters.

Which makes it difficult for those of us who weren't able to obtain press passes for everyone else. Grr...

I thought they were impossible to get?

[Nnnnsic]

Not impossible, and I didn't get the amount I'd aimed for which has annoyed me a little. Not as much as the process for getting them... let's just say the process on their website has severe flaws.

[gstark]

But you're right Gary, with no car there is no A1 for the punters.

Which makes it difficult for those of us who weren't able to obtain press passes for everyone else. Grr...

I thought they were impossible to get?

Benny,

I suspect that you're getting consufed. It's the F1 - Melbourne - that it's impossible to get creds for. The A1 is difficult, but Leigh managed to fernangle one.

[Nafe]

What flaws in the process? I submitted my forms and that was it. How many passes were you hoping to get? How many do you actually need?

[Benny2707]

So I got my comp GA ticket this afternoon. All looking good. May have a few others if people need GA ones. Will know tomorrow.

So who's going? Do we have a list or a meetng point? Any suggestions on good places to shoot from the other side of the fence, you know, the cheap side.

[Nafe]

Benny - have a squiz a bit further up this thread for my suggestions on some good spots to shoot from.

[Raskill]

What flaws Leigh?

[Nnnnsic]

Had to wait 'till I got home, people.

You know that bit at the bottom that says "Additional passes required"? Well it seems to be ignored and each photographer must apply under their own merit... which seems to entirely circumvent that section.

I would have needed two, though I went for three. Not next time.

[Raskill]

I guess that bits for folks from V8X, GraphicDAK etc etc.

I know V8X has 3 - 4 togs at some events, and Dirk uses himself, a runner and a photo retoucher.

I sooooo wish I was going. The grid shots would have been great, and this would be a good resume builder, which would help lead onto FIA accred for a F1 round.

[Nafe]

From memory the "additional passes" was for things like TV Crews, not photographers.

[Nnnnsic]

Doesn't actually say that. Regardless, it's irrelevant now.

[Nafe]

You're right, it doesn't. It does say this though...

"You may apply for additional passes for media colleagues representing your organisation. Their names must also be included in the Editors request letter attached above. Please note we limit passes per media outlet depending on job role and coverage guaranteed."

So either they weren't named in your letter, or they didn't deem whoever you're doing media for as giving sufficient coverage to warrant more than one pass.

[Nnnnsic]

Yeah except for that they were named in the letter and their accreditation approval notice didn't say anything to the contrary suggesting my other photographers were to be excluded.

Once again, irrelevant.

[Nafe]

How many guys did you want accredited? Are you shooting for a major publication? If not, then I can see why they might limit the number of passes they give out.

[Kyle]

Leigh, What media outlet/organization are you working for at the A1?

[gstark]

I haven't yet decided whether or not to go, but I'm thinking that we should set up "camp" at a point on the circuit where we can all meet and enjoy the racing. People can then use that as a base, and we can all then know where we can catch up with one another.

Thoughts and suggestions?

[Benny2707]

I haven't yet decided whether or not to go, but I'm thinking that we should set up "camp" at a point on the circuit where we can all meet and enjoy the racing. People can then use that as a base, and we can all then know where we can catch up with one another.

Thoughts and suggestions?

Sounds like a great idea to me. Say where and when I and assuming that the monsoonal weather abates I'll be there.

[dviv]

I haven't yet decided whether or not to go, but I'm thinking that we should set up "camp" at a point on the circuit where we can all meet and enjoy the racing. People can then use that as a base, and we can all then know where we can catch up with one another.

Thoughts and suggestions?

Sounds like a great idea to me. Say where and when I and assuming that the monsoonal weather abates I'll be there.

[gstark]

Failing anything else, outside of turn 1?

[Paul]

I normally camp out at turn 2 and wander around to turn 3 and various times, MCWB, Barry and Raskill are normally there as well.
Turn 2 is always good for a bit of action if you know what I mean

[gstark]

Turn 2 it is.

[Benny2707]

Turn 2 it is.

Cool. What do you people look like so I don't approach some randoms?

Oh and Gary, my significant other says thanks for the 5:59am dingle my blackberry made when you replied to a thread I tagged. I thought it was funny, her less so.

[dviv]

Turn two sounds good.

What time will people be arriving there? I assume you need to get there fairly early to reserve a spot

[Raskill]

There'll be plenty of room. It doesnt pull a huge crowd. Turn two, like Paul says, is the best spot for accident, overtaking and general good shots.

Have fun guys, I'm mighty jealous.

[Paul]

You don't need to get there early to reserve a spot as the A1 is not as popular as say F1 or the V8's.
I'm planning on getting there about 9 or 10am depending on my sleep cycle.
There's normally a day plan of the times of each race posted either on the Eastern Creek web page or on the official A1 website.

[Paul]

Here's the schedule for tomorrow for those interested.

http://www.a1gp.com/News/NewsArticle.aspx?newsId=40161

[Nnnnsic]

I'll probably be there tomorrow... provided I can wake up. Heading to bed now.

[Benny2707]

Went out there today but the weather was awful and it made any kind of camera work pretty much impossible. When the F3's went around under the SC that was enough or me so we went home.

Sorry didn't get to meet you guys, maybe next time.

[idleowen]

thats a shame you went home Benny,I went both days and sunday was a great day to photograph as the conditions made for more dramatic action.My first grand prix outing and what a fantastic experience,who needs the F1! Eastern Creek is excellent for vantage points to take photos,the $20 paddock pass lets photographers near the action,including walk into pit lane after the race to get close up shots..................the water spray from the cars setting off on the grid was unforgetable going into the first corner............

[gstark]

My first grand prix outing and what a fantastic experience,who needs the F1!

A1 is not F1. Not even close.

The vehicle dynamics in F1 are of an order of magnitude greater than A1. A1 dynamics are little better than the V8s, although the A1s are stickier.