Atlantic Motorsport Park /Atlantic Roadracing League – Field Trip
Posted in 2010 on May 11th, 2010 by Mike McCarthy – 1 Comment
Just a quick reminder/update about the season opening race event/field trip this coming Sunday, May 16th. I will be your field trip host and if you have any questions not answered below, please contact me by e-mail at mike@mccarthyphotographic.com.
Here’s a rundown of the planned activities:
(Please note: The race schedule will be subject to change and delays due to weather/wrecks/etc.)
9:15AM Arrive at Atlantic Motorsport Park – Meet in parking lot inside main gate. Entry fee is $10 per person, children under 12 can enter for free with an adult. The trip takes about 50 minutes from Halifax.
9:30AM Orientation, Safety and Rules *MANDATORY*
10:00AM RACE 1 – Thunder Class (10 Laps)
10:25AM RACE 2 – Motard/125/Vintage LW Class (10 Laps)
10:50AM RACE 3 – Sportsman 1 Class (10 Laps)
11:15AM RACE 4 – PRO 600/AM 600 Class (12 Laps)
11:50AM – Bike Pick-up/Lunch *
12:50PM – Track Clear / Marshals On-Stand
1:00PM – RACE 5 – Lightweight GP/Sportsman 2 Class (10 Laps)
1:25PM – RACE 6 – Pro Superbike/ AM Superbike Class (12 Laps)
1:50PM – RACE 7 – Vintage MW Class (10 Laps)
2:15PM – RACE 8 – Novice / Honda 125 CBR Challenge (8 Laps)
2:40PM – Track Closed
3:00PM – Podium Presentations
Rules/Safety Notes:
1. DO NOT wear Yellow or Red jackets, t-shirts, etc. You will not be allowed track side. The riders can easily misinterpret a yellow t-shirt or jacket as a caution flag and may slow causing a hazard on the track. Red is worse as a red flag means the track is blocked by a hazard and stop immediately.
2. ALWAYS listen to the marshals. If you hear a whistle, STOP immediately and look around. This usually means you have walked somewhere you are not allowed to be for safety/security reasons. If the marshal is yelling at you to back-up, do it IMMEDIATELY or you will be ejected from the track area.
3. The racers are a very friendly bunch and LOVE to talk about motorcycles and racing with fans. You are welcome to talk to the pit crews and riders throughout the pit area. However, only pit crews are allowed on Pit Lane. DO NOT walk along Pit Lane. It is very active and a rider can very quickly exit the track and drive down Pit Lane for any number of reasons and serious injury can occur if you are in the way when an emergency happens.
4. Tower Area. Everyone is welcome to view the racing from the bottom level of the tower. To access the tower, you need to cross Pit Lane. You can only do this at the entrance to Pit Lane and only after exercising EXTREME caution looking for hazards first.
5. NEVER, EVER, cross the race track. The only access to the inner track area is via the tunnel under Turn 1.
6. NO ONE is allowed any where on an inside or outside corner unless behind a safety barrier and the marshal knows you are there and says it is OK. Some marshals will be more easy going than others. Your deportment can significantly improve your odds of getting a great location and REMEMBER, it’s ALWAYS better to ask first rather than hear a whistle and be told to move.
7. NO CHAIRS are allowed track side. If you bring one, you can only use it in specific areas behind safety barriers. NO EXCEPTIONS.
8. Accidents happen and you must be able to react INSTANTLY to move out of the way. If a marshal thinks you are a hazard you will be removed. No questions or discussion. You will be moved.
General Notes:
1. Atlantic Motorsport Park is located about 15 minutes from Shubenacadie and 50 minutes from Halifax. Directions:
* Take Exit 10 off Highway 102, and head into Shubenacadie (2.3km)
* At the stop sign, turn hard right onto West Indian Road (watch for the sign: Indian Brook / Mill Village / McPhee’s Corner)
* Drive 2.6km, keep right (Look for the Motorsport Park sign)
* Drive 2km, turn right (Look for the North Salem / Atlantic Motorsport Park sign)
* After 2.6km, the road will change to gravel. Drive on gravel road for another 2.2km
* Turn Right just before the farm (Look for the Atlantic Motorsport Park sign)
* Follow this road (1.2km) until you reach the Atlantic Motorsport Park gates
2. Packing – Wear sturdy footwear and prepare for weather. The field trip will take place regardless of the weather. Bring plenty of water and pack a lunch/snacks.
3. Lunch – Bring your own. There is a french fry truck/canteen located next to the registration building. The food is good, but not exactly on the healthy side of the menu. There will be approximately an hour for lunch. Make sure you bring lots of water.
4. Washrooms are located at the outfield between Turn 10 and 11. Vehicles are STRONGLY discouraged from pit road, so you will need to plan any trips to the washroom / tower / pit road area.
5. During orientation, I will answer any questions you have as well as make sure everyone has completed a field trip waiver form. No form, no access to the track. Period.
6. Be prepared to walk. The track, itself, is 2.5km long and consists of 11 challenging turns and varying elevations. The infield area is also challenging to walk and covers a VERY large area – about 300+ acres.
Gear/Equipment
1. Depending on what you hope to achieve, a dSLR is highly recommended. A fast lens is not necessary, but will significantly improve your chance of capturing a good image. A Point & Shoot can capture images, but keep in mind some of the racers can reach 200km/h and shutter lag on a P&S will likely mean you miss the action/focus.
2. You will likely want at least 100mm and the longer glass you can bring the better. I typically shoot with a 70-200mm telephoto but carry a 50-135 for shooting around the pit area as well.
3. I will do my best to try to help answer any questions you have about settings, etc. at the track.
4. Anyone needing transportation to the track, please post a comment here. Hopefully there will be a number of people car-pooling and will be available to help. I will be at the track early and will be staying until the very end.
5. Please keep in mind that this is – in part – what I do to earn income and I will do what I can to help each photographer, but my goal is to capture the racers throughout the day and it will take precedence.
6. Have Fun!
