Anyone ever get any special access to car races, etc...?

Nascar is coming to Phoenix in mid-November, and it would be really cool to go an be able to take pictures from somewhere other than the general admission stands, like maybe trackside/pits/etc....

Anyone ever get press passes? Any ideas on how to get closer access to the race?

 

some people like to run across fields and courts during sporting events...and some do it naked

so set your ISO around 1600, change to continuously focusing, an f/22 aperture and a firm grip with your strong hand...the other will probably be needed to shed off any authority figures running after you........oh, and the naked part is a personal choice

 

Always naked. Always.

 

not sure how it is at nascar, but IIRC, when i was looking at the grand prix of long beach, they had a special pass you could buy that would let you get into special photo only sections of the course. it was too expensive for me at the time

my friend once got me a field pass for formula D or D1GP (drifting events)

 

i did one for formula D as well





im one of the photographers for the Wiredonhonda website

 

Ok well it wasn't quite that kind of field pass I think (it did say field pass on it ), I didn't get to go that inside area at irwindale (forgot why) but I was alot closer than other people. And I got to meet the drift king at the judging area

I don't remember the situation and what happened but it was before I got into photo

 

Anyways if you have sample work, try contacting a website that usually takes photos at a NASCAR event

Although I don't know how well that works, my photo editor from last year put in good word to this guy that takes photos for a website couldve gotten me as press at formla D like pimpcl, but the asshat never responded to my email

 

Thanks. I may just call the venue and ask.

 

I wish. With some races I go to, like national motocross, good access is part of the deal (fans can get right next to the track, which kicks ass), but for auto racing, the best I've been able to do is use long lenses, and even that's not ideal with all the stuff between me and the track.

You could try winging it and approaching a local paper and offering to do a free shoot if they'll grant you a press pass. Believe it or not, I've heard of it being done, especially if it's a smaller paper.