Muddling my way through Utah

[John Thawley]

This track doesn't get any easier. To make matters worse, the race schedule didn't provide any interesting light... all mid-day. Harsh and bright. All-in-all, I was pleased given the conditions.

[Dany Flageole]

#7 and #5 are delicious, great work

is that a hood flying?

[Travis Rhoads]

yep, the Jag lost its hood at the very start of the race, they had trouble with it for the first half.

Looks like tough shooting conditions. Which is too bad, there are some pretty cool corners at MMP. I do like the image of the Vette.

[John Thawley]

yep, the Jag lost its hood at the very start of the race, they had trouble with it for the first half.

Looks like tough shooting conditions. Which is too bad, there are some pretty cool corners at MMP. I do like the image of the Vette.

I beg to differ. There are NO corners at Miller... only curves. Therein lies the rub.

I think we all WANT MMP to be a great track to shoot... the simple fact remains, it isn't.

[Travis Rhoads]

Since I have never been there, and only get to see it on TV, and in images that I see randomly, I will defer my impressions.

I am not sure what "curve" or set of curves it is, but there is a series that I see on TV, and have seen pictures of, that seems interesting,
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j162/Kodiak_Evo/_MG_8884.jpg,
not my image, just one I found to illustrate which curve I am referring to. I realize you can't camp there for a whole weekend, who wants blood clots in their legs, you gotta keep moving.

[John Thawley]

The complex is named Attitudes - it's a quick right / left and the only elevation change on the track. And everyone DOES camp there.

Starting at the top... you have Attitudes from the ground level, Attitudes from higher ground, approaching Attitudes shot from the ground, Attitudes from the top / side at driver's right and Attitudes at the top shot going away.

See my point? LOL

[Travis Rhoads]

I see. A big shame that a track with that many numbered turns, has so little to offer. Is it that you can't get to most of it?

[Jeff Kapic]

Nice John. I really like 1 and 2.

Travis, you can get to all of it (I'm assuming these guys run the perimeter course). It's just really big and unless you have a scooter, you're not going to get all the way around. When I shot the WSBK race, I got from turn 1 to 5 (45 minute race), stopping to shoot only at certain areas when they came by. I didn't spend more than 2-3 laps at any one location. You can cross to the inside when the track is cold. Of course then you are committed to it for the duration of that session. It's easy to navigate because it is flat and there is a gravel road all the way around it.

Jeff

[Darren Pierson]

John, very nice set. Not having the morning warmups is not too cool for shooting. That 10AM light last year was creamy. I like the one shot from inside coming into blackrock. I spent saturday practice and quali out there. It was hot, but worth the effort.

[John Thawley]

Nice John. I really like 1 and 2.

Travis, you can get to all of it (I'm assuming these guys run the perimeter course). It's just really big and unless you have a scooter, you're not going to get all the way around. When I shot the WSBK race, I got from turn 1 to 5 (45 minute race), stopping to shoot only at certain areas when they came by. I didn't spend more than 2-3 laps at any one location. You can cross to the inside when the track is cold. Of course then you are committed to it for the duration of that session. It's easy to navigate because it is flat and there is a gravel road all the way around it.

Jeff

The challenge is the inside. With only 3 shooting opportunities, you have to give up a full session to go inside. The morning warm-up was always a good opportunity... but there was none.

Certainly you can get around the track... but the reach is very difficult and leaving a lot of basic pans... tight, loose, in-between... and the backgrounds all begin to look the same.

The inaugural year was still by far the best shooting. They ran the full course and they ran at sundown. There is talk of running a six hour event in 2011... IF the series returns to the track.

JT

[John Thawley]

John, very nice set. Not having the morning warmups is not too cool for shooting. That 10AM light last year was creamy. I like the one shot from inside coming into blackrock. I spent saturday practice and quali out there. It was hot, but worth the effort.

There's no doubt that better timing for the light would be a game changer.