I live 2 miles away from turn 9. I watch it on TV. After they went to CART in 84 I stepped away from it. The F1 crowds were fantastic, the races were fantastic. Then came the beerfest with a car race in the middle. People walking around with no idea who was racing it was just a big beer drinking party. I think I've done 3 or 4 races since 84, none in the part 15 years. Of all the races I have been to around the world, Long Beach is more a party than a race, just not for me.
It is interesting that this has been your takeaway from the Grand Prix of Long Beach. I am well aware that people probably see this event, and also the Indy 500, as excuses to party. To them, it...
The last year that IndyCars raced at Auto Club Speedway (formerly California Speedway) in Fontana, was the same weekend as a NASCAR Cup race in Northern California. As a result, hardly anyone showed up to watch what was an incredibly good...
They were highly modified Indy Lights cars. They 'raced' one car at a time. Only one of the nine successfully made it through all of the challenges. I heard that in the first DARPA off-road race, none of the vehicles finished the entire...
Great article Jan. I can see you are quickly becoming comfortable with your new Sony equipment. I actually watched the IndyCar race on TV, but there were so many yellow flags I never saw the finish because I failed to record enough time.
A great photo of you and your new gear. That huge telephoto lens must weigh you down. While I never watch it, I thought the IMSA cars are impressive. Is IMSA a rival of, or sponsored by, SCCA? And are IMSA cars eligible to race in endurance races like Le Mans and Daytona?
You sure captured the party atmosphere of the weekend…a variety of different racing series, things to see, good weather and lots of spectators. What more can you expect!
Do your press credentials get you into pit lane before or during the racing? That would be really exciting.
You've asked good questions. I'll do my best to answer them. Also, please read my lengthy response to Steve Maurice's comment. You might find it interesting, too.
Yes, my new Sony gear is heavy, but not as heavy as my Nikon gear...
As I said in my reply to Kevin, The Long Beach races this year were especially challenging for me to photograph because I only left myself one week to learn how to use my new Sony mirrorless full-frame camera gear, after switching from Nikon...
Comments (34)
I live 2 miles away from turn 9. I watch it on TV. After they went to CART in 84 I stepped away from it. The F1 crowds were fantastic, the races were fantastic. Then came the beerfest with a car race in the middle. People walking around with no idea who was racing it was just a big beer drinking party. I think I've done 3 or 4 races since 84, none in the part 15 years. Of all the races I have been to around the world, Long Beach is more a party than a race, just not for me.
Hi Steve,
Thank you for sharing your comments.
It is interesting that this has been your takeaway from the Grand Prix of Long Beach. I am well aware that people probably see this event, and also the Indy 500, as excuses to party. To them, it...
Read moreThe last year that IndyCars raced at Auto Club Speedway (formerly California Speedway) in Fontana, was the same weekend as a NASCAR Cup race in Northern California. As a result, hardly anyone showed up to watch what was an incredibly good...
Read moreThanks for the update on IMSA. No, I wasn’t aware of the Challenge or Twitch. What kind of cars were racing?
They were highly modified Indy Lights cars. They 'raced' one car at a time. Only one of the nine successfully made it through all of the challenges. I heard that in the first DARPA off-road race, none of the vehicles finished the entire...
Read moreVery interesting. I wasn’t aware of this. David.
Great article Jan. I can see you are quickly becoming comfortable with your new Sony equipment. I actually watched the IndyCar race on TV, but there were so many yellow flags I never saw the finish because I failed to record enough time.
A great photo of you and your new gear. That huge telephoto lens must weigh you down. While I never watch it, I thought the IMSA cars are impressive. Is IMSA a rival of, or sponsored by, SCCA? And are IMSA cars eligible to race in endurance races like Le Mans and Daytona?
You sure captured the party atmosphere of the weekend…a variety of different racing series, things to see, good weather and lots of spectators. What more can you expect!
Do your press credentials get you into pit lane before or during the racing? That would be really exciting.
Hi David,
You've asked good questions. I'll do my best to answer them. Also, please read my lengthy response to Steve Maurice's comment. You might find it interesting, too.
Yes, my new Sony gear is heavy, but not as heavy as my Nikon gear...
Read moreI did read your informative reply to Steve Maurice. And thanks for the clarification of IMSA
I absolutely LOVE the blue modded nsx
It looked really good. That's why I photographed it, and then chose to include it here.
Jan
We saw you there. Great pics.
Our hands-down favorite events were the historics-- there is something so elemental about those cars. Awesome time.
Seeing the C8.R duo rip up the track with that soundtrack? Now, a Z06 is on my shopping list!
I am excited that an all-Porsche series will beclouded in the race series at Long Beach next April.
Jan
As I said in my reply to Kevin, The Long Beach races this year were especially challenging for me to photograph because I only left myself one week to learn how to use my new Sony mirrorless full-frame camera gear, after switching from Nikon...
Read more