a very noisy day
memories from Brands Hatch
On the last weekend, I have been invited by a good friend of mine to Brands Hatch Circuit in Kent.
From my perspective of car & technology admirer, although not an expert of motor racing, I have been fascinated by the many things one has to prepare and check, to put a formula 1 car on the track.
Here is my little photo story and short film of a sunny day between noisy sports cars…
The first operation; getting all kit and car off the truck, then washing and polishing it… While kids watch.
Everything needs to be checked… and checked again. Someone use the latest computer technology…
… and someone goes on manual, while enjoying a bacon sandwich
Fuel needs to be calculated and pumped in, the engine started, oil pressure needs to raise, while water temperature has to be kept low… It is all a rather sophisticated operation.
The track marshals come… 10 minutes to the green light; time to wear the race suit and crash helmet!
Five minutes to go… Jump in the car, fit the steering wheel (which is rather a complex computer!), get wheeled out of the pit garage, start the engine and wait for the green light.
Now the cars are racing on the circuit, speeding up lap after lap, passing in front of us with a loud bang in a blink of an eye.
The lap of honour after the chequered flag and the cars come back to the pit lane, pushed inside the garages by their mechanics.
Time to celebrate the winner… Well, everybody is a winner, since this one was just a race demo and the real victory is to participate and share the joy of the moment with opponents and friends!
Thank you, John!
– mjf
tech specs //
All photos have been taken with a Nikon Df and two vintage lenses:
Nikkor 105mm f/2.5 Pre-AI (manual focus)
Nikkor 28mm f/2.8 Series-E (manual focus)
The video has been filmed with a RED Komodo 6K handheld with another vintage lens of mine:
Nikkor 55mm f/1.2 Pre-AI S.C Auto MF