Algarve Historic Festival Portimao 15-17/10

[grantp]

Originally Posted by SFurness

As spectators were are taking the easy route flying out of Doncaster in the morning.

Looking forward to a two hour lunch tomorrow.

I can't compete with Grant for camera equipment (or ability) but I've jamed the camera into a back pack so I'll do my best.

See you all on Saturday.

Steve

You'll do just fine Steve - the light should be great.

Seek out the Delta truck for a mug of the fabled tea and potentially interesting pits and paddock photo opportunities.

If you can discover Mike Bell's location as well your sure to be welcome. I say 'discover' because I never did work out where he was located in the technically complex paddock at Spa so only managed to chat in the Scrutineering queue!

I had intended to wander around the paddock finding people at Spa but the rain made the idea less attractive and when it wasn't raining during the day time the track action photo potential was too good to miss.

Scrutineering queue activity on a sunny Thursday afternoon. If only it had stayed like that for the weekend ....

1. Mike Bell and the Gilbern.

2. Pia Bianchi passing the time chatting to Delta. I think Iain was looking for tips about racing MGBs .....

[John Turner]

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

Yes John- see other thread!

Originally Posted by rogerwills

Surely these threads should be merged?

Yes, sorry, guys; I've been thinking of Portimao as a separate event Some of you will know that my focus isn't quite as it should be at the moment! Now merged!

[Speedy norm]

I will be there.. Queasy Jet out of Liverpool early Wednseday for a weeks holiday so hope to be there Sunday.

Look forward to meeting some of you..can't miss me, ill fitting shorts t shirt camera rucksack trying not to look like a tourist

[Dinkel]

Can't wait to join Alexanders crew and support the GT R production.

As at Spa6: shake hands, chat cars, drink coffee, see you guys there!

Cheers, A.

[Mike Bell]

Well, trucks all parked up waiting to get in. Delta and my rig arrived 2 pm tuesday, went to beach on 2 wheeled stuff- Mart almost fell off pillion when I snatched throttle- whoops. 2 jugs of Sangria with supper later......

Paddock plan shows line up of non-garaged cars behind garages, so will be in that lot. Been karting this morn and big inter team truckers event just about to start! Qualy and 30 min race. My money's on Delta....

[grantp]

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

Well, trucks all parked up waiting to get in. Delta and my rig arrived 2 pm tuesday, went to beach on 2 wheeled stuff- Mart almost fell off pillion when I snatched throttle- whoops. 2 jugs of Sangria with supper later......

Paddock plan shows line up of non-garaged cars behind garages, so will be in that lot. Been karting this morn and big inter team truckers event just about to start! Qualy and 30 min race. My money's on Delta....

It's a hard life Mike. Good to know there are some around who are prepared to struggle through the challenges in order to put on a show. Heroes all.

If it all becomes too much we could organise food parcels or something - just let us know ....

[Mike Bell]

Delta wants to let on that was on pole, but beaten by a couple of lightweights! Trucks now being allowed in one by one.....

mk1mart had puncture while pushing Iain for 3rd.

Food parcels always welcome Grant! All had today is banana & a quasson.

[John Turner]

Oh, I am so having to bite my tongue, about that last comment, Mike. You've not been spending a lot of time with Mr Rowley, have you?

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by John Turner

Oh, I am so having to bite my tongue, about that last comment, Mike. You've not been spending a lot of time with Mr Rowley, have you?

[rogerwills]

Landed in Lisbon and just boarded plane to Faro. Looking forward to the weekend!

[SFurness]

Hi,

We've been here (Lagos) since Monday, adjusting to the pace of life.

Going to pop across to the track this afternoon to watch the unofficial practice (if we can get in) and there is a car exhibition down at the marina in Portamao.

The weather is looking good (22/23 c) but the chance of a shower tomorrow morning.


Steve

[john ruston]

Team should have landed.race on Sat and back on Sunday.
Probably last Legends Pre War race.Pity they feel the need to incorporate the odd post war car as its not as though its a loss.

Patch will win main race in one of those Nash Sports Racers with hopefully our 4 seat Talbots following.The whereabouts of those c Types,Atalantas are absolutely meaningless apart from picking up a pot hunting expedition.

[gary396]

I'd be interested to hear from any of the 10-Tenth's 'photographers' after the event regarding what the access / sight-lines are for photography at this event/circuit. I don't mean those with media passes but just from a spectators point of view.

The circuit itself looks good but whenever I see it on TV the vast majority of stands look empty (which is understandable) but it makes me wonder if you can get around to those areas for viewing / photographing. Thought I'd mention it in advance of the event in case anyone could give it some thought whilst there please?

Can't be there myself (at Snetterton instead!) but hoping to go next year.

Good luck to everyone - competitors and spectators.

Gary

[Gil Abobeleira]

Originally Posted by gary396

The circuit itself looks good but whenever I see it on TV the vast majority of stands look empty (which is understandable) but it makes me wonder if you can get around to those areas for viewing / photographing. Thought I'd mention it in advance of the event in case anyone could give it some thought whilst there please?

I was there at the FIA GT event and I can assure you that those stands are fully open (mind you, from the front grandstand, you get to see around 60% of the track!). And it's very easy to get into them.

Just to remind you, a ticket for the grandstand allows you into the other stands as well, while the cheaper ticket allows to access all but the grandstand.

[SFurness]

Hi Gary,

We picked our tickets up at the circuit yesterday but couldn't get into the circuit. All locked up except for competitors.

Going over at lunch time for the afternoons practice. Our tickets allow padock access and all grandstands which are pretty much all round the track. It seems the access to each grandstand is from the outside of the track but they run a shuttle bus round the perimeter road to move spectators around.

I've got a canon with a 90-300 lens I'm guessing that the view from the grandstand is good but distant. I'll find out later.

We've come here instead of Snetterton this weekend. Our weather is for sun and 22/23 c all weekend.

Steve

[john ruston]

understand the circuit is not any good for big Pre Wars.
Like Ricard would be better if they used it backwards!

[Mike Bell]

We've survived 2 free practices and qualifying for Touring / Proto70s today. Morgan OK but Escort may have head gasket problem as is pressurising cooling system. 8am qualifying tomorrow for GD- low sun very scary at that time of day! Back to circuit this eve for BBQ- saw 2 porkers being roasted when we left.

[Mike Bell]

Said to me in Parce Ferme after qualifying. "You can go. I'll get you for something next time"

Any guesses?

[terence]

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

Said to me in Parce Ferme after qualifying. "You can go. I'll get you for something next time"

Any guesses?

No idea Mike,I could take a guess but I'm thinking of Mallory and dont want a Capri as the SC!

[SFurness]

First visit to the circuit yesterday, the circuit has seating all around with a large grandstand opposite the pits, but hardly any spectators.

For photography the usual difficulty with fencing on the start/finish straight but not to bad from the seating on the first bend.

Steve

[SFurness]

Some shots from the first bend.

[john ruston]

Like that Talbot,suprising how good that replicas look!

[grantp]

Nice shots Steve.

Looks like you have some decent light but maybe not always where you want it (preferably somewhere behind you) depending on location. Circuits are often like that.

The shots I have checked indicate you are set to ISO800 which is maybe a bit high for the open air full light stuff. There should be some benefits from going to ISO 100, or maybe 200 if in shade. Gives the camera more flexibiity and you will get a bit less depth of field so backgrounds, not usually the most elegant things at race tracks, will be slightly less detailed. Or ideally, very out of focus!

1/250th of a second shutter speed looks OK for the panning shots. If it's a more direct head on (or rear on) shot you might be better at 1/1000th or more. No wheel turning to see so the faster shutter speed should not upset the purists!

[Mike Bell]

Met Steve F today! Also dinkel (Albert) who is rushing about with camera as well.

Sadly Escort didn't last first race as head gasket problem got worse. Went and asked few people if they had one but to no avail. Just as well as not into stripping BDGs in situ!

Qualified for GD and race 0940 Sunday. Have to make sure car lasts as will now be racing it at Monteblanco as well.

[grantp]

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

Met Steve F today! Also dinkel (Albert) who is rushing about with camera as well.

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

Sadly Escort didn't last first race as head gasket problem got worse. Went and asked few people if they had one but to no avail. Just as well as not into stripping BDGs in situ!

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

Qualified for GD and race 0940 Sunday. Have to make sure car lasts as will now be racing it at Monteblanco as well.

Send the word Mike and I will gladly fly out with your spare engine as hand luggage (yeah, right ... chance of getting that past the check-in desk ...) . You do have a spare engine don't you? (Just say yes, is dull and grey here ....)