Boy Racers (and a lesson learned)

**John 2** · 25th March 2015, 02:41 PM

Went down to my local track over the weekend to shoot some Cart Racing - much more exciting than cars or bikes as it turned out. I shot about 140 images on the Saturday, none of which were sharp! So I returned on the Sunday but set my camera up in the way recommended in a recent post for BIF. I reasoned that there was some similarity. The result was much more successful - hence "lesson learned". This is after all, a learning forum. I had never seen Cart racing before. I was talking to one of the Marshalls when he suddenly said "Here we go - carnage". "More powerful machines" I asked. "No" he said, "it's the eight year olds. They don't know what slow down means". It took three rolling start laps to get the race started and two red flags later it was abandoned. Four inches from the ground and they are doing 80 + mph. Eight year olds know no fear and are not a little reckless. Good photographically though.

All on a Nikon D7100 and 150-600mm Tamron. Lens supported on a bean bag.
Best viewed in "Lightbox", especially the first one.

Rolling Start

Red Leader

Line Ahead

Boy Racer

**bnnrcn** · 25th March 2015, 02:49 PM

Those are great photos John! I love the compositions and colors

Did you sharpen #3 a bit too much, although it is a very nice image, my eyes are not very comfortable with it, but I can't figure out why

**John 2** · 25th March 2015, 03:22 PM

Thanks Binnur. I think you are right about no.3. I've added a bit of Gaussian Blur.

**Shadowman** · 25th March 2015, 03:24 PM

Nice series, surprised they are allowed to go that fast.

**John 2** · 25th March 2015, 04:33 PM

Originally Posted by Shadowman

Nice series, surprised they are allowed to go that fast.

So was I John but I'm taking the word of the track marshal on that. The race was finally stopped because one young boy was thrown from his cart which was bad enough but his parents then caused chaos by running onto the track. Makes you wonder what they were thinking in the first place letting him take part. Thankfully no one was hurt.

**DonnaK** · 25th March 2015, 06:06 PM

These are great shots, John. The colors and details just pop on each one of them. I think they are going a little faster that BIF's

but you caught all of the action. That speed seems way too fast for the kids, but it must be fairly safe. Aren't you glad you went back and tried again?????? I do that a lot with my shots, too.

**Manfred M** · 25th March 2015, 06:33 PM

Great shots, John. I especially like #2. That vertical stack of carts just works really well.

Of course, the colours against the black pavement are working for you quite nicely.

**Texas Dave** · 25th March 2015, 07:10 PM

I wouldn't want to go that fast at my age. lol. Great series as already mentioned. I really like the third photo of "Line Ahead" with the heat distortion helping with the dof. Very cool frame!

**dje** · 25th March 2015, 07:43 PM

Very very good John. These are eye catching shots of very good quality.

Dave

**DEAN01** · 25th March 2015, 08:09 PM

John,
Great shots! Color is excellent.

**flashback** · 25th March 2015, 08:16 PM

#s 1, 2 & 4 for me. As has been pointed out the colors are amazing. Great shots, like miniature Formula 1 racing. Your first shot would be a great poster for the track. Your last shot is equally great, maybe try and get individual shots of the kids in their carts to sell? I bet #26 would love to have that image as a poster on the bedroom wall.

**IzzieK** · 25th March 2015, 10:55 PM

Parents are sometimes a PITB to deal with when it comes to their kids getting hurt...The colours are simply amazing and all over the place. I wonder why there are two #23s...Good idea to go there...

**Brownbear** · 25th March 2015, 10:57 PM

Just to add to the accolades... A great set of images, colourful and special. My favourite is #2.

**Rita** · 26th March 2015, 01:09 AM

A great set John. Looks like it was a lot of fun.

**Barbara Ponder** · 26th March 2015, 01:17 AM

Awesome images! The colors are fantastic. My fav is #3.

**Stagecoach** · 26th March 2015, 01:26 AM

Wonderful set John, colours, formations and focus all combining to make these top notch.

**GBO25** · 26th March 2015, 06:07 AM

Fabulous shots John and soooo colourful -and sharp where they need to be. Excellent.

**John 2** · 26th March 2015, 10:58 AM

Thanks all for a great set of comments. As I mentioned, cart racing has many more thrills (and spills) than cars and bikes. I will go again but I want to choose a rainy day because I think (hope) it will add some atmosphere.

Izzie, well spotted. The track marshal had spotted the same thing (2x 23's) when the race was finally stopped

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