Today’s Post by John Larsen
After a two year absence, the US-based IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar series and their supporting Michelin Pilot Challenge have returned to Canada. This year they were joined by a handful of entries from the Masters Racing Legends USA series.
This time around, I decided to try something a little different with my photo gear: I would select one lens and utilize only that one for the day. My diverse selection of lenses were the Tamron SP AF 11-18mm F/4.5-5.6, Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS EF-S and my recently acquired Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2.
The first day of the event was July 1, Canada Day. There was not a very large crowd in attendance so I chose to utilize the widest of the three lenses referenced above to get some close up images of one of my all-time favorite Formula One cars- the JPS liveried 1977 Lotus 78/2.
The next day I grabbed my preferred travel lens, the Canon 18-200, along with a polarizing filter, and headed to the inside of turn 8. This turn is a great location for panning photos as the cars arch around you at a relatively consistent distance. It is fun to practice with very slow shutter speeds to see the results. The Elantra N is driven by Canadian drivers Mark Wilkins and Robert Wickens in the TCR class of the Michelin Pilot Challenge. Wickens was injured in a devastating Indycar crash a few years ago. His resulting lower body paralysis requires him to use hand controls when he is driving the car. The Canadian duo started last in their race as Wickens missed practice and qualifying for a very good reason – his wife delivered their first child the day before. The pair edged their way to the front and won on home soil!
Lastly, I dragged my Tamron 150-600 lens to the outside of turn 1 to get some photos of the IMSA cars as they completed their morning warm up on race day. Given the speeds these cars carry through corners I had to increase the shutter speed to grab an image with the cars sharp in the frame. I did not use a tripod or monopod.
Please note that all images were taken from spectator areas and did not require press/media credentials.
John Larsen is this blog’s Senior International Travel Correspondent, whose website is www.photograffics.com.