Let’s see…how can I compare this last weekend at Wall? Well obviously fun, exciting, and refreshing. But maybe if you can imagine the surface of the sun with high humidity and rubber raining on you, then thats how Wall felt. This was my first time shooting FD, and going into it knowing the weather report almost put a damper on my enthusiasm. Maybe its just me, but carrying around a bunch of heavy camera gear in 97 degree and 5000% humidity isn’t exactly the best weekend ever. Those negative thoughts faded fast. I wanted to do this forever. I haven’t even been to a FD event before, how could I not want to go? Especially with having the chance to use my passion of photography? I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t excited.
Like I said, it was about 99 on Thursday. Everyone was trying to stay cool one way or another. Even in the shade, because of the humidity, it was still 99 degrees.
Daigo had the right idea. I don’t want to know what its like sitting in a race suit, in a race seat, in a race car.
Thursday is the day teams get to practice and dial in their settings and for a lot of drivers this year, learn the course.
Friday was just as hot as Thursday. This time I had my media vest and could go on track. I used that day as a scouting day. Trying to figure out where to shoot and get the best shots. The grid was nice, it was shaded and I got to get up close to the cars as they would heat up their tires and do sweet burnouts. Probably took a few years off my lungs though.
I love the Watanabes, they look like huge spooling turbos.
JLowe love tapping the wall. Love him and his car <3. No homo.
Later on in the day, Mother Nature decided rain would be a great idea midway through qualifying. This put a damper on photos. No smoke, no speed, no fun. It was interesting watching the drivers compensate for the wet conditions however.
Points had to be adjusted for the drivers that had to qualify in the rain and after the drivers meeting, the fun started. Top 32 practice. The tire smoke made a return as the track dried and drivers ran hard with some close tandem practice.
Saturday Top 32 battle and onto the finals. Thankfully the rain forest humidity let off and temps dropped a bit. I was pumped. The drivers turned it up to 20 battling for a spot in the top 16 and hopefully more. So many great battles ensued during the day. I’ll stop boring you with my writing and let the photos finish this post off. It was a great time for me personally and can’t wait to go back next year.
Chaz's Mind 