Le Mans goes to Laguna Seca

[dadwtwins]

This was my first experience going to a Lamans race. My brother in law and father took me as a way for the men to bond in a day of a testosterone rush. Nothing like feeling the vibration of lean mean machines racing by you topping 100 MPH. The noise is so loud, one must wear ear plugs or endure the awful ringing in your ears for the next week.
http://dthorp.smugmug.com/photos/414739455_Qn8df-L.jpg (http://dthorp.smugmug.com/photos/414739455_Qn8df-L.jpg)

I have to admit, I haven't really ever understood the whole waste of money it takes to support a race car. The popularity was obvious when they allowed all of us to enter the pits to see the cars up close. I could barely walk around without being shoved in one direction or the other.
http://dthorp.smugmug.com/photos/414753555_y2Z6z-L.jpg (http://dthorp.smugmug.com/photos/414753555_y2Z6z-L.jpg)

It was clear that these race car drivers are heavily admired since the lines to get an autograph was at least 50 people deep with some of the drivers. Even Helio from dancing with the stars had a huge following.
http://dthorp.smugmug.com/photos/414740091_9vXqV-L.jpg (http://dthorp.smugmug.com/photos/414740091_9vXqV-L.jpg)

http://dthorp.smugmug.com/photos/414739135_v5r9h-L.jpg (http://dthorp.smugmug.com/photos/414739135_v5r9h-L.jpg)

http://dthorp.smugmug.com/photos/414744512_ahLir-L.jpg (http://dthorp.smugmug.com/photos/414744512_ahLir-L.jpg)

As we walked around the areas where the cars are displayed and worked on, I found the perfect vehicle that suited my speed.
http://dthorp.smugmug.com/photos/414885333_uu4rK-L.jpg (http://dthorp.smugmug.com/photos/414885333_uu4rK-L.jpg)

I started to really admire the engines that these vehicles displayed. What I wouldn't give to just try out what the torque feels like in one of these engine packed vehicles. I was starting to get the whole gist of why this sport is so popular.
http://dthorp.smugmug.com/photos/414742582_coBBK-L.jpg (http://dthorp.smugmug.com/photos/414742582_coBBK-L.jpg)

I thought this was soooo European. I guy smoking while working on some modifications to a hood spoiler.
http://dthorp.smugmug.com/photos/414887413_dqFop-L.jpg (http://dthorp.smugmug.com/photos/414887413_dqFop-L.jpg)

Here are just some random pics of the cars actually racing.
http://dthorp.smugmug.com/photos/414887124_hS4PL-L.jpg (http://dthorp.smugmug.com/photos/414887124_hS4PL-L.jpg)

http://dthorp.smugmug.com/photos/414770031_jUVUc-L.jpg (http://dthorp.smugmug.com/photos/414770031_jUVUc-L.jpg)

http://dthorp.smugmug.com/photos/414886013_vbyxY-L.jpg (http://dthorp.smugmug.com/photos/414886013_vbyxY-L.jpg)

http://dthorp.smugmug.com/photos/414766484_8XMLv-L.jpg (http://dthorp.smugmug.com/photos/414766484_8XMLv-L.jpg)

http://dthorp.smugmug.com/photos/414759674_oqhUo-L.jpg (http://dthorp.smugmug.com/photos/414759674_oqhUo-L.jpg)

http://dthorp.smugmug.com/photos/414740330_bZPin-L.jpg (http://dthorp.smugmug.com/photos/414740330_bZPin-L.jpg)

http://dthorp.smugmug.com/photos/414770745_85vUH-L.jpg (http://dthorp.smugmug.com/photos/414770745_85vUH-L.jpg)

Well there it is. My day at the races with some pics of day I ended up truly enjoying. I must thank my brother in law for taking me to the races to understand why these drivers and machines are so popular and such a huge part of our countries past time.

[torags]

Some nice corkscrew shots. My favorite is of the Acura passing the Ferrari where your slow shutter blurred the foreground car. Gave a great impression of speed.

Rags

[dadwtwins]

Some nice corkscrew shots. My favorite is of the Acura passing the Ferrari where your slow shutter blurred the foreground car. Gave a great impression of speed.

Rags

What???? you didn't like the Ferrari Moped the most??:rofl:rofl

[torags]

Yeah... It reminds me of the ducati CF card... (from the WTF file) :rofl

[dadwtwins]

Yeah... It reminds me of the ducati CF card... (from the WTF file) :rofl

Isn't that the truth:lol3

[ian408]

Wow. Some of these shots would have you believe you're at a rally race :D

Nice work!

[torags]

They had about 13 yellow flags, because of sand kicked into the course. It was more like heat races; pretty frustrating for the racers.

Rags

[dadwtwins]

They had about 13 yellow flags, because of sand kicked into the course. It was more like heat races; pretty frustrating for the racers.

Rags

Were you there???? did ya get any good pictures???

[torags]

Yup, I was there. Tested my new 300 f2.8 for the dark shots.

http://torags.smugmug.com/photos/397749029_zcXtN-M.jpg

http://torags.smugmug.com/photos/399363396_Rhid5-M.jpg

It's a little boring. The quality of the tires glue the cars to the track. You just watch the cars go round 30 times or so. Motogp & Superbikes are more exciting so is CORR Racing.

The 300 did pretty good in the dark.

[aktse]

Fantastic! I love those S-curves and it seems the cars are coming right at you!

I find it funny that you refer to one of drivers as the dancing with stars guy! :rofl

I think this is my favorite:

http://dthorp.smugmug.com/photos/414766484_8XMLv-Th.jpg


You really caught the feel of the day!

What lens were you using?

[aj986s]

Very nice pics! :clap

Laguna Seca is a track I'd like to visit and drive someday.