Spirit of TX

[MRussell]

[Victor Archer]

Re: Spirit of TX

http://www.pbase.com/marauder61/reno_2005

[speeddemon]

Re: Spirit of TX

Victor, I love your stuff...but you GOT to stop shooting the final from pylon 8. It's ALWAYS in the shadows in the afternoon.... :-(

[Victor Archer]

Re: Spirit of TX

The only pylons "they" take us too are both backlit in the afternoon.
Guess I'm just wasting time and space.

That shot was taken from #2

[speeddemon]

Re: Spirit of TX

The only pylons "they" take us too are both backlit in the afternoon.
Guess I'm just wasting time and space.

That shot was taken from #2

Interesting. I've always found shooting the Bronze race from 8 'early' in the day, and Silver/Gold from 2 in the late afternoon, gives you good lighting....as long as its a clear day.

Guess I just assumed that it was from 8 (because of the angle coming at the camera), and because of how the plane was lit. My mistake. Didn't mean to sound like I was criticizing.

Then again...shooting from pylon 5 seems to be the best lighting I've had yet! Ain't that right, Wingman?

[RarebearFan77]

Re: Spirit of TX

Here yall are pickin and grinning about which Pylon you shoulda shot from while folks like me would just cream there jeans just to get out there and see the race from that perspective. Victor, do you need a photo caddy to help hold any lenses or maybe keep your camera polished up, maybe even chage batteries for you while your off drinking beer or something. Think RARA would give me a "gofer" press credential? Hell it might even be worth paying you for that position. Think about it man.... I'll be waiting...

[Victor Archer]

Re: Spirit of TX

Here yall are pickin and grinning about which Pylon you shoulda shot from while folks like me would just cream there jeans just to get out there and see the race from that perspective. Victor, do you need a photo caddy to help hold any lenses or maybe keep your camera polished up, maybe even chage batteries for you while your off drinking beer or something. Think RARA would give me a "gofer" press credential? Hell it might even be worth paying you for that position. Think about it man.... I'll be waiting...

HEHE... Sounds good to me. But.... RARA I don't think they would go for that

[Peashooter]

Re: Spirit of TX

Why not build some infield seating?

[MRussell]

Re: Spirit of TX

Why not build some infield seating?

It might be safer than where we were sitting (middle of the grandstand) at the finish of this year's Sunday Silver if something went wrong.

[RarebearFan77]

Re: Spirit of TX

I have talked to a "player" at RARA and that person had mentioned that they were looking at having something like that soon. That was 2 years ago. To me, a $100 - $150 ticket maybe even $200 to watch the races from the infeild would be cool.... Just my 02

[Leo]

Re: Spirit of TX

Lincoln Air Races we were in the infield. The constant turning to follow the racers would be hard in the stands!

[speeddemon]

Re: Spirit of TX

I have talked to a "player" at RARA and that person had mentioned that they were looking at having something like that soon. That was 2 years ago. To me, a $100 - $150 ticket maybe even $200 to watch the races from the infeild would be cool.... Just my 02

I talked about this with Mike Houghton several years ago when he took over at RARA. The original plan, as envisioned, was to put in 'chalets' at some areas in the infield, and 'sell' them to casinos in town. The casinos then could use them as 'perks' for their high rollers and VIP's. There was never an intention to make it open to the 'general public'....but as I said, those were as the plan was originally laid out...who knows what the idea is now.

HOWEVER, having viewed things from both inside and outside of the race course for many, many years, I can say that the best VIEW of the whole race is from the grandstands. When you are stuck out at the 'press' pylons (and make no mistake, you are STUCK out there at the whim of the schedule), there are no real facilities, and you are far enough removed from the showline that you can't enjoy any of the supporting airshow or anything. You can't hear the announcers, and can only rely on the race frequency if you have a scanner.

And as someone else pointed out...you almost get dizzy trying to follow the race, because you find yourself turning in circles the whole time.

It is definitely a cool perspective to be inside the course, but the action happens in 10 minute spurts....with LOTS of dead time in between and nothing to do but twiddle your thumbs. From an overall enjoyment factor, I would much rather just sit in the pits and soak-in things from there.

[Leo]

Re: Spirit of TX

I'd have to agree. The pylon is a great perspective, but it is'nt much "fun" overall. It's like being out at the fenceline in the valley, you get a great view of the racers and the thrill of the closeness is incredible. But all you really see is a short snapshot of the action.
I still think that the best view of the course is the stands that are there now. Plus the amenities!
Of course, if there was any offer of infield seating, I'd give it a try!

[Air Race Addict]

Re: Spirit of TX

I'd have to agree. The pylon is a great perspective, but it is'nt much "fun" overall. It's like being out at the fenceline in the valley, you get a great view of the racers and the thrill of the closeness is incredible. But all you really see is a short snapshot of the action.
I still think that the best view of the course is the stands that are there now. Plus the amenities!
Of course, if there was any offer of infield seating, I'd give it a try!

Leo,
Obviously you haven't dropped in at the airraceaddict.com basecamp to enjoy our hospitality We do the grandstands once during the week for the reasons you mention. But hey, with the start for all of the Sport class races and the entire Gold Sport and Jet Class races, we have a lot more racing out on the fence than in years past. For some, it's all about the Unlimiteds and the faster racers. The best perspective, (besides the obvious ) is out there. I can only take so much Air Show. The other good part of the fenceline is the Thunderbirds and Snowbirds and many other aircraft graced our immediate overhead view on many occasions. So...... it's all about what you like I suppose. (And the amenities are more convenient and a hell of a lot cheaper, HAH!) Margaritas anyone? How about a Sierra Pale Ale, MGD?

[speeddemon]

Re: Spirit of TX

Not to mention scantily clad stewardesses, right Bill? :-)