Pick Ten: McRae Rallysprint 2012/2013 Summer Series Final

Last night was the last round of the 2012/13 McRae Rallysprint Summer Series, and I decided to shoot the event from spectator accessible areas for the night.


Canon EOS-1D Mark III - 1/100s @ f/4, 24 mm

This was the least 'spectator accessible' point of the night, although it's possible to stand just the other side of the cars as a spectator.


Canon EOS-1D Mark III - 1/60s @ f/4, 58 mm

This is an awesome event for drivers and spectators, with plenty of action on the track and for the drivers, 4 runs around the course over approximately 3.5 hours.


Canon EOS-1D Mark III - 1/100s @ f/4, 50 mm

When I was just starting to get into motorsport, Rolly Waters was king of the Under 2 litre Street Cars at Wanneroo in his hot little Escort.


Canon EOS-1D Mark III - 1/100s @ f/4, 45 mm

One day I will own an old Porsche. I'll probably also end up sleeping in it, unless I sell a few cars first.


Canon EOS-1D Mark III - 1/100s @ f/4, 45 mm

Jai Philp runs the No Limits events at Wanneroo, and has built this Celica to run in the WASCC's Improved Production class.


Canon EOS-1D Mark III - 1/100s @ f/4, 45 mm

Monica Jakovich in the car Geoff Duckworth ran at the WASCC's Night Masters this year.


Canon EOS-1D Mark III - 1/100s @ f/4, 50 mm

Alistair McRae doesn't just lend his name to the event, here he is driving the 0 car, the last course checker before each round of racing.


Canon EOS-1D Mark III - 1/100s @ f/4, 47 mm

I love this car, I don't know a lot about it or it's history, but I know that I love the agressive 70's style flares and the 70's style rally paint.


Canon EOS-1D Mark III - 1/100s @ f/4, 45 mm

The next rallysprint event at the Motorplex is the McRae Motorsports 'off season' event, on July 21st, and the full series will return next summer.


Canon EOS-1D Mark III - 1/100s @ f/4, 35 mm

Even with the upgraded brakes it's wearing, this ute was still able to get the rotors glowing into the chicanes.

A Night Off: Wildcats vs Tigers at Perth Arena

Last night, Kate and I headed to the new Perth Arena to watch the Perth Wildcats take on the Melbourne Tigers. This was our first time at the new Arena, and watching the Wildcats run out a 20 point win was a good way to check out the new venue.


Canon PowerShot G1 X - 1/250s @ f/2.8, 15.1 mm


A little unusual for me, was sitting in the stands watching, with only the Canon G1X in my hand, and it did have me wishing that I had a little more time on my hands to chase down some work at a few other sporting venues around Perth.


Canon PowerShot G1 X - 1/125s @ f/5.8, 60.4 mm


Once again, I was really impressed by the little G1X's ability to handle low light and higher ISO's without producing a lot of noise. Not that a basketball stadium under TV lighting is really low light, but shooting from almost the top row of the stands does push things a little.



Canon PowerShot G1 X - 1/160s @ f/5.8, 60.4 mm


This is the G1X at maximum zoom, not too bad for a little camera.



Canon PowerShot G1 X - 1/200s @ f/4.5, 25.893 mm


For all the flack the Perth Arena has copped over its looks from the outside, inside it's a nicely polished deal. Although there was one thing I noticed, but didn't get a photo of, 3 well placed water coolers right next to one of the bars, with no power points to plug them into and decidedly warm water.



Canon PowerShot G1 X - 1/400s @ f/2.8, 15.1 mm


And of course, being this far up in the stands, I just had to do some faux tilt shift.  This was done in Photoshop, although the G1X does have the ability to do this sort of stuff in camera.

Pick Ten: 2013 Night of Fire

Here's a few of my favourite shots from last nights Night of Fire event at the Perth Motorplex.

Antony Begley has been driving Nitro Funny cars lately, but is back in this Alcohol powered FC for the rest of our local season.

1/2500s @ f/6.3, 400 mm

Clive Hudson has recently made a return to the Motorplex quarter mile, and is returning to his trademark big burnouts.

1/800s @ f/3.2, 70 mm

Marty Mirco took out the win in Super Sedan in his awesome Camaro.

1/400s @ f/2.8, 100 mm

Nigel Benson was back in the Aussie Bandit wheelstander and flamethrower.

1/4000s @ f/2.8, 108 mm

Clint Urban took a win in Mod Bike on his Suzuki GSX-R.

1/250s @ f/3.2, 140 mm

South African born Pieter DeWit, now living here in Perth, was driving the Gravity Storm Jet Dragster, and after 2 successful passes, Pieter had a chute failure in the final round, sending him into the sand trap.  More details can be found on the Motorplex website

1/320s @ f/3.2, 200 mm

Chuck Haynes piloting the other jet dragster, Volcano.

1/250s @ f/3.5, 130 mm

Andrew Katavatis took out yet another Super Comp win, taking him to four wins in a row.

1/160s @ f/3.2, 100 mm

Rob Pilkington took home a win in the Top Comp 'A' final.

1/160s @ f/4, 50 mm

Neil Anderson held out Daniel Natalotto in a heads up Comp Bike final.

1/160s @ f/4, 47 mm