Hey Tiny Tell these good folks about photographers

[HardScrabble]

If ya get around here......

There has been some talk around about this "civilian" that Kurt allegedly near ran over last week. The civilian was from what I understand, a photographer working the race.

Tell these folks in your experience who owns the roads into and out of the garage area, and how a photog has to live there..............

 

[boB]

HS,

I can't speak for Tiny, but from my own experience, the drivers "own" the access areas to and from the garage.

One of the first lessons Dad taught me, drilled into my thick skull might just be a more accurate expression, before I was old enough to be allowed into the pit area even, was that "You never turn your back on a race car. NEVER!"

Just another one of those things that Dad was right about.

I've got some pictures of pit and garage areas that clearly show just how bad the problem of overcrowding is. Just too many people have access where they have no reason at all to be. NASCAR has made a step in the right direction, but the tracks, teams and sponsors still need to look at their policies on the issueing of credentials.

 

[Tiny]

What boB said. Back when I was working the garage the overcrowding wasn't to bad. I did my work on practice and qualifying days. At the large tracks (Charlotte, Martinsvile, etc.) I always watched where I was. I use to walk against the flow of trafic (Clockwise) in the garage so I could warch what was comming at me Martinsville was the worst because back then it didn't have a garage. On race day I wouldn't try to take shots in the garage and concentrate on the race. Charlotte's garage was (is) gated and you had to prove you were supose to be there.
At the local short tracks (Orange Co. & South Boston) I've had to step out of the way (never run) a few times in the corners to keep from being run over by the Busch cars in the corners.
I was friends with most of the WC and BGN drivers because I knew them back when they were first starting ouit at their local short tracks.
The biggest thing is stay out of the way and never take your eyes off the cars.

 

[HardScrabble]

Thanks Tiny and boB.......

Asked Tiny because when Park took his little magic carpet ride at Pocono I expressed some concern about a photographer who just behind the fence which was just behind the guardrail Steve demolished. In fact I thought NASCAR should not have allowed him that postion.

Tiny informed me that there was nothing to worry about it wasn't even close. (It was too dem close if I had been the pic guy) Further that the photographer's first priority is watching the cars and knowing exactly where they are in relation to them. I got the impression that those incapable of this soon find another subject for their lens.

 

[17_Fan]

Originally posted by boB@Sep 10 2003, 07:41 AM
I've got some pictures of pit and garage areas that clearly show just how bad the problem of overcrowding is.  Just too many people have access where they have no reason at all to be.  NASCAR has made a step in the right direction, but the tracks, teams and sponsors still need to look at their policies on the issueing of credentials.

I don't even go into the pit area at Michigan anymore...it's a zoo in there, especially when the crews are trying to set up for the Busch race.