Nascar Race camera rules

I will be attending my first nascar race this May and was wondering if there are any restrictions on 1D or 5D cameras or lens restrictions?

Thanks,
Jonathan
--
“You don't take a photograph. You ask, quietly, to borrow it.” - Author Unknown

Jonathan Sousa said:

I will be attending my first nascar race this May and was wondering
if there are any restrictions on 1D or 5D cameras or lens
restrictions?

Thanks,
Jonathan
--
“You don't take a photograph. You ask, quietly, to borrow it.” -
Author Unknown

Click to expand...

I believe the rules will be more site specific than rules by NASCAR. Go to http://www.nascar.com and link to the track you are going to. You should find rules and regulations for visitors. They will generally place restrictions on coolers, glass bottles, etc. The only NASCAR track I have gone to, Texas Motor Speedway, places no restrictions on any photo gear.

Steve

Thnaks, I will look into that webpage. It is the Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte, NC
--
“You don't take a photograph. You ask, quietly, to borrow it.” - Author Unknown

Im not sure about cameras with video. I shoot for the Jack Daniels team and have been to 9 different tracks with a my 30d ,40d ,and rented the MKIII a few times and thier has never been any issues. I do have a pass with the company I shoot for though. Check with the information center at the track you are going to attend. What raceway ? -Craig

Here you go. http://www.lowesmotorspeedway.com/visitors_guide/rules_regulations/

Have a look at the bottom of the page, item number 10 (the second number 10 )
You should be okay as long as your camera bag is not too large.

Steve

Jonathan Sousa said:

I will be attending my first nascar race this May and was wondering
if there are any restrictions on 1D or 5D cameras or lens
restrictions?

Thanks,
Jonathan

Click to expand...

NASCAR allows still cameras of all sort/shapes/sizes. If you can carry it in (not in a camera bag) you can bring it. No Tripods or mono pods. I go to Richmond twice a year with a 20D, 1D Mark III, 100-400, 70-200, 17-40, flashes, and other support equipment. I use a belt system and have no problems getting in.

ISC tracks (Richmond and Darlington) will not allow a backpack or camera bag but you can wear a fanny pack. Hence the belt system

SMI (Charlotte) will allow bags but you need to check the size.

Make plans to do pit road for practice and qualifying. Buy pit passes a head of time as numbers are limited. Its worth the cost if you want good pics. However, be totally away of your surroundings at all times. You will have to cross paths with 3500 lbs cars and they will hurt if they hit you. Also note that crew members will make no bones about moving you out of the way at the potential expense of your equipment Remember you are a visitor and pit road is their work space. Respect that at all times and you will be fine.

Last note. Have a blast. It a very cool environment to shoot. And if your not a race fan now I'll bet you become one after your experience at the track.

--



Rob Kircher
My Stuff: http://www.rrkphotos.com
http://blog.rrkphotos.com
http://www.pbase.com/rkircher

Totally agree with the pit pass, the best way to see the race regardless if your taking pictures. Took my 40d last year to the Kansas speedway with zero issues hanging on my shoulder. Can't wait to do it again.

Pit road on practice or quals is a non event. They don't use the pits other than to enter and exit the track to and from the garage. A garage pass is how you get all the action on non race days, but they are harder to get and getting a HOT garage pass (cars in action) is even harder because it's REALLY dangerous to be in the garage during HOT periods. You probably need to be a member of the media to get a HOT pass or know someone.

And no the cars DO NOT stop or swerve for you, you either move or get run over. Plain and simple. I've had many a close call.

Pixel19 said:

Pit road on practice or quals is a non event. They don't use the pits
other than to enter and exit the track to and from the garage. A
garage pass is how you get all the action on non race days, but they
are harder to get and getting a HOT garage pass (cars in action) is
even harder because it's REALLY dangerous to be in the garage during
HOT periods. You probably need to be a member of the media to get a
HOT pass or know someone.

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I wondering just how helpful this post actually is. You state that Garage Passes are best for action but then you make the correct observation that they are hard to get and that you need to be a member of the press or know someone. What good does that do the OP coming from Bermuda? (IIRC)

As to being a non event, if your choice is shooting from the stands with 400mm lens during the race or shooting from pit road during qualifying when all the drivers are milling around their cars I think I'd take qualifying. And if you're a creative photographer there is plenty on pit road to shoot even w/o a garage pass especially if its your first time like it appears to be for the OP.

That said I will admit that after doing it for a few years its not as rewarding and I'd love to get garage passes but as you say they're hard if not impossible to get.

--



Rob Kircher
My Stuff: http://www.rrkphotos.com
http://blog.rrkphotos.com
http://www.pbase.com/rkircher

Hi Jonathan, we were at Daytona Beach in November 2007 and the only restriction was that they wouldn't allow me to go on the track side of the wire, even though my brother was racing. There was someone from Bda racing but I never met them which was a shame as I worked in Bda in the seventies. It was a classic car race organised by the Classic Car Club of GB.

Jonathan Sousa said:

I will be attending my first nascar race this May and was wondering
if there are any restrictions on 1D or 5D cameras or lens
restrictions?

Thanks,
Jonathan
--
“You don't take a photograph. You ask, quietly, to borrow it.” -
Author Unknown

Click to expand...

Like Pixel 19 stated "if you know someone". Its with anything in life. Like the old saying is .'Its not what you know ,its who you know. My cousin, with Brown Forman for 16 years (international liquor tax control) showcased my work to the headquarters 5 years ago ,the rest is history. Have been shooting the Jack Daniels car and do product and detail work for them. As far as rules, well their are not always applyied. At the Firecraker 400 5 years ago .The race was not over until almost 1 am .Do to rain delays. Their were folks bring in very large backbacks that were not even questioned. Many other tracks and examples, but if it were me. For general admission, I would play it as per rules per raceway. The first time is the best. Enjoy! -Craig

To shoot drivers "mulling around their cars" on qualifications day would take a media pass. Fans with pit passes would be behind the pit wall and there would be a ton of media in front of you obstructing most shots of the drivers around their cars.

Pixel19 said:

To shoot drivers "mulling around their cars" on qualifications day
would take a media pass. Fans with pit passes would be behind the pit
wall and there would be a ton of media in front of you obstructing
most shots of the drivers around their cars.

Click to expand...

Really? Hmmmmmmm

From Atlanta,







How about Richmond
http://www.pbase.com/rkircher/image/99886193

























All done on pit road with a standard fan access pit pass.

And these are mostly just drivers/owners. I have plenty if interesting crew and car photos from pit road as well.

Can you get more and even better with a garage pass? Sure!!! but as you pointed out they're not easy to come by. My point to the OP.... don't pass up the opportunity even if it is only a pitt pass.

--



Rob Kircher
My Stuff: http://www.rrkphotos.com
http://blog.rrkphotos.com
http://www.pbase.com/rkircher

Rob, correct info and your work speaks volumes. I shoot for Brown Forman. The shot of Clint Boyer is great, (bias of course,lol ) I wish he was in the #7 car. O well ,thats business. Love your work ,and a gentleman at that. Amazeing .All the best -Craig

mulder1361 said:

Rob, correct info and your work speaks volumes. I shoot for Brown
Forman. The shot of Clint Boyer is great, (bias of course,lol ) I
wish he was in the #7 car. O well ,thats business. Love your work
,and a gentleman at that. Amazeing .All the best -Craig

Click to expand...

Thanks Craig, I appreciate it. It is very true that the better images are more easily achievable with garage passes and I'd love to get my hands on a pass or two for Richmond this year, but the fact is the pit road experience is one to be had regardless if you are shooting or not. Even if you're not a big race fan the experience is well worth it.

I'm planning on being at Richmond again this year. I hope they allow better access this year over last but I'll take what ever I can get.

As to Clint in the 07 I completely agree with you. that was a natural match and to be honest a dumb move. You can tell the folks at Brown Forman that I don't even know the driver in the Danial's car this year and I'm an avid fan of NASCAR and RCR racing. ;-) The JD 07 car isn't even on my scope anymore. Oh and if you talk to anyone at RCR let them know that I don't remember who Clint's new sponsors are this year. ;-)

--



Rob Kircher
My Stuff: http://www.rrkphotos.com
http://blog.rrkphotos.com
http://www.pbase.com/rkircher

Jonathan,

Not for sure what access you have to the event...I shoot at the Kansas Motor Speedway for the AP so our passes are taken care of well in advance and we're trackside and in the hot pits also.

If you get a "cold pit/garage" pass just be careful of the hustle and bustle and try to keep the side and out of the middle of the pit area..just be aware down there stuff is always happening from cars to EMT folks...tow trucks etc. If you have a wide and get down away from the crowd you can get some real cool stuff...like to low to highs when cars are being shuttled into and out of the hot pit and stay around for while when its' over...great pics seem to happen when the event is done.

Happy Shooting,

Chuck

--
'The guy who takes a chance, who walks the line between the known and unknown,
who is unafraid of failure, will succeed.' Gordon Parks

Rob, #7 Caseys Mears what a joke. Clint ,Cheerios and Hamberger Helper. Not even my cousin who is up their with Brown Forman has been given a definitive answer to this day ,nor have I. Then again ,I just shoot some for them .Car, details for a few sponsors ,and some maketing stuff. Like most ,my cousin is frosted and takes it a little personal to say the least. O ' well one constant in life is change. For the better or worse. Rob are you into "The world of outlaws?" Have fun at the tracks this year and keep up your fine art.-Craig

Nice shots Rob.

I have never been to a NASCAR event, but when I get to the US, and we go (my Wife is American, and was a Dale Earnhardt fan, and so was her father), I'll have to look into a Pit Pass, looks like a great opportunity for some great shots.

What is the access like during actual race day?

Would be an experience not to miss.

--

'How Can I think outside of the box when they won't even let me out of it?' - Unknown

65tigershark said:

Nice shots Rob.

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Thanks...

65tigershark said:

I have never been to a NASCAR event, but when I get to the US, and we
go (my Wife is American, and was a Dale Earnhardt fan, and so was her
father),

Click to expand...

Tell her I was a Rusty Wallace fan... she should understand. ;-)

65tigershark said:

I'll have to look into a Pit Pass, looks like a great
opportunity for some great shots.

What is the access like during actual race day?

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It depends on the track but you usually have access up to an hour before the race event for that day.

65tigershark said:

Would be an experience not to miss.

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It is an experience you shouldn't miss. The sounds, the smells, the activity. All very exciting even for those who may not be racing fans.

--



Rob Kircher
My Stuff: http://www.rrkphotos.com
http://blog.rrkphotos.com
http://www.pbase.com/rkircher

Rob Kircher said:

Pixel19 said:

To shoot drivers "mulling around their cars" on qualifications day
would take a media pass. Fans with pit passes would be behind the pit
wall and there would be a ton of media in front of you obstructing
most shots of the drivers around their cars.

Click to expand...

Really? Hmmmmmmm

From Atlanta,







How about Richmond
http://www.pbase.com/rkircher/image/99886193

























All done on pit road with a standard fan access pit pass.

And these are mostly just drivers/owners. I have plenty if
interesting crew and car photos from pit road as well.

Can you get more and even better with a garage pass? Sure!!! but as
you pointed out they're not easy to come by. My point to the OP....
don't pass up the opportunity even if it is only a pitt pass.

--



Rob Kircher
My Stuff: http://www.rrkphotos.com
http://blog.rrkphotos.com
http://www.pbase.com/rkircher

Click to expand...

Nice stuff, but have you ever shot at Indy? Big difference in crowds.

I've shot a lot of races, had hot pit and hot garage passes many times and thought there was no way a casual fan could get those shots. You've definitely proven it's possible.