Risk

 These guys (and girls, there were at least two) got close, really close, and yet there were no accidents. A testimony to their prowess on two wheels.

I switched up to my 50mm for a few shots but was unsatisfied with the results, so I stuck with the 80-200mm. Most shots were taken at either the 80mm range, or 200, rarely in between. My camera now needs a good cleaning with a dust remover.

Dust

Ten to fifteen bikes on the track, and kicking up rocks, dust and debris. Half the fun of shooting the event was ducking the flying rocks.

This was from the final turn, the guys in the back of the pack eating everyone else's dust.

Serious Action

So this weekend I get invited to shoot the AMA Motorcycle race at a nearby track. The weather, which has been rainy all week long, instantly turns nice for Saturday, fluffy white clouds, mid 80s, sunny, perfect day for shooting.

I get an all access media pass, allowing me on the track, off the track, behind the scenes, everywhere. I've got my Nikon d2x, 80-200mm f/2.8 and a big handful of memory cards. At wide open, f/2.8, I've got 1/5000th of a second shutter speed. Perfect for capturing action. I set up at the corners and wait for the roar of the two stroke bikes. Despite the week's worth of rain, the track was dry and dusty, as you can see here.

At 100+ mph (I overheard 125 on the straights) it's very difficult to get shots in focus. Of the 1000 shots I took, 25 percent I missed the focus on. But of the shots where I nailed it, they came out great.

Here are some shots for your approval.