Le Mans 24hr

ranksy99

ranksy99

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Richard
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Having just got back from my first accredited trip to La Sarthe I'm just reflecting upon a couple of issues.

Firstly - having all received a stern briefing from Jeff Carter prior to accessing the track about the what to and what not to do I find it incredible that the first thing some people (accredited togs) do is to completely disregard most of what he said. This I mean by shooting in red zones, not wearing or obscuring their vest and generally putting themselves ( and others) at risk.

Jeff didn't say what he said for the sake of it - most had been learnt from events at other series but why do people still do it?

Secondly - is just the volume of people they accredited. Their book ran into a hundred or so pages deep with 30-40 names per page!! Why??
Once you were briefed you had to sign both books but the number of signatures per page was by far the minority so not many wanted or needed to access the track or pit

Lastly - and I know I was new but even I could tell that there were spongers there - there for what they could get and I'm not talking photographic opportunity. Media centre busy at the start and end of race but vastly quieter in between. Where was everyone? - hospitality??

Surely all of these make things more difficult for the genuine person needing to go about their work.

Whinge over

Still had a great time and what an experience!!
 
Hey Richard - I'd be interested to pick your brains...I'm going to the Le Mans Classic next week and it'll be my first (accredited) trip to the circuit. Who is Jeff Carter? (forum member or someone at the circuit that does the media briefing)? I'm sure that the classic will not be the bun fight that the 24hrs is, but will they still offer a comprehensive briefing about where to go/not to go, etiquette, use of video, etc? Presumably the red zones are positions of danger (i.e. on the track)? What are these two books that you refer to?

Also, if you have any tips on locations etc; I'm more interested in the atmosphere and capturing the feel of the event than the specifics of the cars themselves (there will be some action shots, but primarily my commission is the event itself). I've earmarked the bottom of the hill after the dunlop bridge and the ford chicane as my primary locations.

Any help or advice you can offer gratefully accepted!

Cheers.
 
J Carter was the FIA media delegate in charge of obviously everything media so presumably the classic would have someone similar but don't know as never been.
I would image that whoever authorised your accreditation would have sent you details as where to pick up your pass and tabbard, etc as that's bound to be different again from the 24.
If you're after atmosphere and interaction with people then anywhere within the complex would be the best bet although venturing to the other end of the track would be good for differing angles to everyone else who stay in the complex. That's my biggest regret as my tabbard was time restricted an didn't want to waste this by travelling between A and B.
Don't forget to go inside and outside of each corner as well. Red zones have been indicated by a line of red paint along the inside of the Armco and yes they're places we're they don't want you to stop n shoot
Most of all enjoy it and hope the weathers kind to you
 
Got any pics you could show that you took, would love to see them if your allowed to post some in a thread.
 
ranksy99 said:
Oh now you're asking - never posted any photos on here before.
Try this link to my Flickr account instead
http://www.flickr.com/photos/50550140@N07/
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Some nice pics in there from a quick flick through, will have a proper look through when i get a chance.

To post pics into a thread:

Click share

Grab BB code

Change size to 1024 or smaller upto you

Copy and paste link into here then your photos will come up.
 
ranksy99 said:
J Carter was the FIA media delegate in charge of obviously everything media so presumably the classic would have someone similar but don't know as never been.
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he was the Photographer's rep for LM24, not the media delegate.. He wont be anything to do with the classic and I doubt you'll have to have a briefing for the classic.
In fact that was the first ever LM24 with a photographers rep or a compulsory briefing.

who were you shooting for btw?

the whole accreditation thing is interesting... but it easy to assume that people have no good reason to be there. The ACO are relatively strict though compared to some others... and this year I was only given 2 x 3 hour slots trackside (always had full 24/7 access for last 6 years)
 
That was my biggest event but not the biggest grid but the only time I've ever had a briefing. Just thought that it was the norm but obviously not.
Stand corrected re JC's official title.

I was being sponsored by a website you may know of - rather not say here but run by JT with a side issue of a Motorsport travel company becoming involved.

I had 2 x 4hr (or a combination of) stints - reckon the early birds got the permanent access slots
 
Come to think of it Gary I'm a little intrigued about your choice of location for the closing laps. I wouldn't have thought that the Porsche Curves would have given any meaningful image?
 
The info from LMC is fairly limited; just an email confirming accreditation and where to collect tabard and media pack from (and an instruction not wear jeans ; v different from the 24H!!!). Didn't know if I needed to book parking or anything like that.

I know the LMC is nothing like the chaos of the 24H, so I'm not surprised if there isn't a briefing. I think I'll take ranksy99's advice and mainly stay in the complex, given that each race is only an hour there's limited scope for moving about during each session, but if I can borrow a pit bike....

Is anyone else going?
 
ranksy99 said:
Come to think of it Gary I'm a little intrigued about your choice of location for the closing laps. I wouldn't have thought that the Porsche Curves would have given any meaningful image?
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Quite a few reasons really.
I normally try and get something different at the end to the shots I've already done.
With only 3 hour slots my only chance of getting to Porsche curves was at the end of the race.
Everyone does the finish line shot so not much point really because those photos get given for free.
I was the only one at Porsche curves so if something had happened there on the last few laps it would have been quite an earner :)
Normally it makes a great shot with all the marshals on track waving flags, but my marshals staid behind the barrier!! Typical :)
It got me a photo on the bbc website. Daresay that photo got more views than half the photographers put together :)
 
Gary said:
As a matter of interest, and following the theme of the thread, did you ask your customer if they could get you accredited for Le mans or did they approach you? If you see what I mean.
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I understand what you're asking buts its an answer I can't really answer in a yes/no fashion. It sort of evolved through last year so was the next logical step - so both really!!? Huh!!
 
as you can see, the marshall post at the top jumped onto the track, but my lot didnt :( therefore didnt make the photo i had planned, and i couldnt run out on track like i was going to ;) the shot i had in mind would have looked awesome taken from the tarmac

IMG_5048_medium.jpg


and here's the BBC one:
_60975588_cars_224.jpg


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-18462479
 
Just checked last years pics from there and you're right the marshals did stand in the side of the track waving their flags and not from behind the barrier.
 
I think the marshalls stayed behind the barriers because there was no final parade lap. When the Audi's crossed the line on the last lap they all pulled into the pitlane rather than doing another lap. It was just the final lap was a slow one. So technically it was still a live race when you last saw them go past.

Shame as all the marshalls going on track waving every flag is a spectacular sight :).
 
Dal said:
I think the marshalls stayed behind the barriers because there was no final parade lap. When the Audi's crossed the line on the last lap they all pulled into the pitlane rather than doing another lap. It was just the final lap was a slow one. So technically it was still a live race when you last saw them go past.

Shame as all the marshalls going on track waving every flag is a spectacular sight :).
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i'm not sure they've had a parade lap in the last 10 years or so tbh.. whenever i've been shooting it they cross the line and go straight into parc ferme
 
Wasn't last year a race to the finish plus a slow down lap? Whereas this years non race finish just fizzled out on the last lap where they immediately halted.
 
Ranksy is right as I was listening to Radio LeMans and the explained all that. Such a shame as the parade lap at the end is always good :).
 
Dal said:
Ranksy is right as I was listening to Radio LeMans and the explained all that. Such a shame as the parade lap at the end is always good :).
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Quick - make a mental note of that - me being right.!
 
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