Reaching out to the Repbulican "base."

[John Thawley]

59 years in the making... the world famous Naples Swamp Buggy Racing. The only place on the planet... and I was there.

Thrown among the throngs of McCain/Palin zealots... flying the stars n' bars, packed with beer bellied, tattooed, tobacco chewing shirtless drunks.... and their husbands. And yet, it all makes sense.

And no, even though we can't see Russia from here... I'm still not convinced.

Oh, and that last shot???? Trouble.

http://gallery.johnthawley.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=121129&g2_serialNumber=1
http://gallery.johnthawley.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=121117&g2_serialNumber=1
http://gallery.johnthawley.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=121103&g2_serialNumber=1
http://gallery.johnthawley.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=121125&g2_serialNumber=1
http://gallery.johnthawley.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=121097&g2_serialNumber=1
http://gallery.johnthawley.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=121133&g2_serialNumber=1
http://gallery.johnthawley.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=121127&g2_serialNumber=1
http://gallery.johnthawley.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=121119&g2_serialNumber=1

[Brent Smith]

Did you try to hide the ALMS World Class sticker on purpose?

[Daniel Buck]

ah... those look like my people I grew up with. :o Glad you made it out alive! :D

[Bob Chapman]

Thrown among the throngs of McCain/Palin zealots...

My guess is that you'd have seen plenty of Obama/Biden zealots there, except the entire cross-section of Dem-loving, Florida-residing swamp buggy fanatics is currently incarcerated.

I like #1, but I'm interested in seeing what f22 looks like.

[John Thawley]

My guess is that you'd have seen plenty of Obama/Biden zealots there, except the entire cross-section of Dem-loving, Florida-residing swamp buggy fanatics is currently incarcerated.
Nah.... they just take their que when they here banjo music. ;)


I like #1, but I'm intersted in seeing what f22 looks like.
Unfortunately, the course is situated with everything basically in front of you and running north/south. Races started at noon with the best turn totally backlit all afternoon. Real slow shutters are a bit awkward, though, because a.) these thing are not that fast... so panning is a bit wobbly. b.) They're bobbing up and down A LOT... c.) The front wheels really don't turn much once they're up on any sort of a plane. But, the big thing is the bouce.

In January, I plan on going back and they'll give me a credential. Then, I'll probably run the risk of shooting from one of the islands. I think then I'll have a lot more options of moving around and getting better angles and control over the lighting. As it was, I was confined to the front stretch and there were a lot of poles you had to thread through.

It's got some cool features though... definitely a lot of potential.... other than revenue generating. LOL - One venue, three events for the year. Not much of a series... but 59 years old is saying something. :)

JT

[Dany Flageole]

WEIRD!!!

But sure looks like fun

Nice pics John

[John Thawley]

WEIRD!!!

But sure looks like fun

Nice pics John
What's wierd... and I never really found an angle that showed the absurdity of it all, is that within the course (kind of a figure 8... but more like when the put a slash through a numerical 0 so you know it's not an O) there are two "sippy" holes. This is where the course depth drops from roughly a foot deep (or so) to five feet deep... just in two spots. These are called "sippy holes" due to the fact that years ago a famous swamp buggy racer named Sippy Morris would continually get stuck in these holes. And how did Sippy get his name? He hailed from Mississippi, of course. Doesn't it all start to make sense? LOL


JT

[David Adolphus]

Oh, man, is there a "Palin is all wet" joke crying out to be made with that last one.

Fingernails say that #59 is a woman, Nice strategic placement of the numberplate, there.

[Matt Romanowski]

John - Thanks for posting these. I'm jealous. I remember watching these races on tv when I was a kid and they were always cool to see. I'd love to go to one in person.

[Chris Kelly]

Is APN REALLY the place for political commentary, either way?

[John Thawley]

Is APN REALLY the place for political commentary, either way?
I don't know that we've delved into commentary. My origianl comment was due to the "in your face" reception that was blatantly obvious at this event.... to the point of having my car greeted at the entry with "Barack Obama will destroy our country" signs.. to having to do my best to shoot around McCain Palin signs. And, truth be told, "stars n' bars" flew almost equal in numbers to stars and stripes... and the place was conspicuously devoid of ANY ethnicity of ANY kind.

Regardless... I wasn't making a commentary. It was just hard to not be made aware of the blatant stereotypes on display. And they were truly "on display."

Anyway... you make a good point... so, enough of the thread drift... HOW ABOUT THOSE PHOTOS??? :D

[Frank Wilson]

Nah.... they just take their que when they here banjo music. ;)


In January, I plan on going back and they'll give me a credential. Then, I'll probably run the risk of shooting from one of the islands. I think then I'll have a lot more options of moving around and getting better angles and control over the lighting. As it was, I was confined to the front stretch and there were a lot of poles you had to thread through.

JT

Just make sure that you have an acceptable means of egress or this;

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e75/fww56/2008%20Clearfield%20Yankee%20Doodle%2007-03-08/INTHEMUD.jpg

may happen to you.

I was shooting a dirt Late Model event at Central Pa Speedway when a car got a bit out of shape and ended up where I was perched.

You can see photos of the results of this on my equipment and read all about it HERE (http://photocamel.com/forum/other-slr-cameras-lenses/54907-babying-your-equipment.html).

Good Luck!

FRANK

[John Thawley]

Just make sure that you have an acceptable means of egress or this;

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e75/fww56/2008%20Clearfield%20Yankee%20Doodle%2007-03-08/INTHEMUD.jpg

may happen to you.

I was shooting a dirt Late Model event at Central Pa Speedway when a car got a bit out of shape and ended up where I was perched.

You can see photos of the results of this on my equipment and read all about it HERE (http://photocamel.com/forum/other-slr-cameras-lenses/54907-babying-your-equipment.html).

Good Luck!

FRANK

I shoot with a 500mm - and keep my distance.

[Dave Verna]

that will blow right off with an air rocket...lol