The most striking thing about Rockingham this weekend wasn’t the rare May heat and sunshine, or even the great racing – it was the echo of the engines bouncing off the grandstands as the GT machinery tore around the circuit.
See, Rockingham is the only oval speedway circuit in the UK; one of only two in Europe. It’s special. From the main grandstand, you can see across the entire circuit. I can’t think of any other track in the UK that gives you such a good view of the racing.
Which was, as usual for the British GT, fantastic.
This was my first time at Rockingham, and I came to the event expecting the infield to be relatively unchallenging for the GT machinery. Boy, was I wrong. The mixture of low speed, technical corners, often had the cars sliding on the exits. It really separated the men from the boys.
The high kerbs on the final chicane had the cars skipping around on the track.
The infield also had a lot more elevation change than I was expecting, with a few crests here and there.
Also, luckily, the fire came out of the right holes this time!
Watch out for Part 2, where I bring details from the pits and paddock.
Here are a few more images from the event:
If you’re interested in purchasing any of these images, or viewing other images from the event, please contact me here. The images shown here are copyright, and may not be used without consent.
Motorbase Performance Porsche
As someone who has spent the past four years as accredited media at the vast majority of the events I’ve photographed, it’s very easy to forget how spoiled for choice we are at circuits. The growing base of enthusiasts have it much harder. I got to spend the day in their shoes this weekend, at the opening round of the British GT Championship at Oulton Park. Having the restrictions was a huge challenge, but I think that it made for some fantastic images.
M-Sport Audi R8
Photographing the drivers and cars in the paddock was a huge challenge. With the teams often closing the fronts of their awnings, and this year shielding the back of their pit garages, I could often only get a fleeting glimpse of the paddock activity.
Used Tyres
It’s the little things.
FF Corse Ferrari 458GT3
Out on track, the Armco made getting the full car in frame a challenge. Improvisation is a good skill to have in these situations.
United Autosports McLaren MP4-12C GT3
There were, however, one or two spots where you could see the cars in their full glory.
MTECH Ferrari 458GT3
One of the great things about Oulton Park is the back end of the circuit, where the circuit runs through some quintessentially British woodland. It certainly made for some interesting compositions.
JRM Performance Nissan GT-R GT3
Especially with some of the springtime greenery. Though the temperature was more like mid-winter!
888Optimum BMW Z4GT3
The sun peeked through once or twice luckily.
IDL-CWS Ginetta G55 GT3
And then the fire of the Ginette helped warm us up a little more! Luckily, the driver got away in time from the blaze.
If you’re interested in purchasing any of these images, or viewing other images from the event, please contact me here. The images shown here are copyright, and may not be used without consent.