Brands Hatch Photographic Guide - Updated June 2024
Brands Hatch Circuit
Fawkham
Longfield
Kent DA3 8NG
Tel: 01474 872331
Fax: 01474 874766
Website Brands Hatch
Email: brandshatch@msv.com
In this photographic guide we will look at some of the best locations for taking photographs at Brands Hatch motor racing circuit.
Brands Hatch is situated in Kent, located South of the Dartford river crossing next to the M20 motorway. The circuit has two tracks, the shorter 1.208 mile Indy and longer 2.433 mile Grand Prix Circuit.
For this photographic guide we will concentrate on the Indy circuit with a few pointers to where you can take a great picture on the GP circuit. As we visit the track we will update the best photographic locations and give you some tips on taking motorsports photography at Brands Hatch.
This guide will take you around the circuit using the map below as a guide starting at Paddock Hill bend. The areas indicated on the map will have a corresponding example of the type of shot you can expect to get at each location. For 2024 we have included a quick link section that will take you to the area with a corresponding link back to the map.
You will need a superzoom lens to get close to the action at Brands Hatch in the 200 - 500mm range and a standard motorsports 70-200mm zoom.
At a push a DX camera can work well at Brands Hatch matched to a 70-200mm f2.8 zoom and a set of teleconverter. Here is a PistonClick report with all of the information you need about teleconverters. Getting extra reach with your motorsport lenses - Crop Sensor Cameras and Teleconverters.
The first location for no other reason than this is where I think is the start of the best photographic locations is - Paddock Hill bend. As a spectator this location is great for action as it’s the first bend the after the start with the inevitable mayhem that can occur.
The outside of this bend has two sets of fences so is not a great place to take a shot, also its not a great background so moving up to Hailwoods Hills and shooting back into the corner is recommended here.
Staying in this location gives you quite a few photographic opportunities and is also a great spectator area. There is a grandstand that gives you great views of the first three corners, so if you are at a low attendance event try and get up onto the back few rows and shooting down onto the action.
A short walk up the hill brings you to one of the best locations for taking photographs at Brands Hatch - Druids. There are two main areas here, the outside of the bend and inside. We will look at the inside first. You will notice a foot bridge that grants you access to the inside of Druids.
Following the foot path down the hill from Druids will bring you to Graham Hill Bend. This area is not as good for action shots as Druids, but if there are sidecars racing it's one of the few locations where they will lift a wheel.
From Graham Hill Bend you can follow the track to the Cooper Straight. As there are fences all along here this area is not recommend unless you stand at the top of the banking for a panoramic shot.
The track now moves round to Surtees where the Indy track splits to the GP track. There aren't that many good spots around the inside of this corner. Personally at Graham Hill Bend I would double back to Druids and follow the path that can be found at the rear of Druids corner and follow it to the foot bridge to Pilgrims Drop.
Turning right after the foot bridge walking towards Surtees takes you down the GP track. If in use you can get some excellent shots just after the Marshalls' hut.
There is really only one good shot at Hawthorn Hill but it is a nice one. Best taken before midday shooting back to the bridge will give you the results below.
From Hawthorn Hill you can cross the bridge again and follow the footpath around the inside of the GP loop. There are not many good shots in this section but we have included them for you to make your decision on how you spend your time at Brands.
The stretch from Hawthorns to Westfield and then Dingle Dell has extensive fencing, meaning that even simple panning shots are not possible.
There is still a lot of fence, but there is an interesting rear three quarter shot as the cars speed off to Stirlings.
After our walk in the woods there is a small track that will take you to the best location for capturing the action looking back into Stirlings.
There is a photographers window here so it is a popular location however, there is only one shot so most people move along after getting what they want, well some do. There is also a good panning shot if you have the skills.
As Clearways is a large radius corner there are loads of angles you can try here, shooting back into Surtees and McLaren.
Two shots here, as they approach you and heading away. There are a few gaps in the fence that the Marshalls use to access the track which will give you an unobscured view towards the Brabham Straight.
Moving down towards the start/finish line again you are shooting through the fence, but depending on the time of day you can still get a pleasing shot as shown here at the Into the Night Britcar Race.
The superzoom is recommended for two reasons. First, and the most obvious, is that for most of the track you are some distance from the action and will need the reach these lenses give you to get close to the action.
Secondly, Brands Hatch has a lot of safety fences for your protection. The superzoom lens combined with a wide aperture will all but make the fence disappear, as long as you are at right angles to the fence. A comprehensive guide to shooting through fences can be found here. A guide to taking motorsports photography through safety fencing.
Shooting at an angle or having the light reflecting off the fence can give the image a grey appearance which can be removed in post processing, but why make it hard for yourself?
Therefore I would also recommend a small step as there are a few locations where you can shoot over the fence, or what I use it for, shooting over the crowd's heads. Brands Hatch is a popular motorsport track and attracts large crowds so having a small folding step in your backpack can help you get that shot..
However, the fence is there for a reason, motorsport is dangerous so consider if putting your head above the fence, where the chances of being hit by flying debris are greater, is worth the shot.
The first location for no other reason than this is where I think is the start of the best photographic locations is - Paddock Hill bend. As a spectator this location is great for action as it’s the first bend the after the start with the inevitable mayhem that can occur.
The outside of this bend has two sets of fences so is not a great place to take a shot, also its not a great background so moving up to Hailwoods Hills and shooting back into the corner is recommended here.
Staying in this location gives you quite a few photographic opportunities and is also a great spectator area. There is a grandstand that gives you great views of the first three corners, so if you are at a low attendance event try and get up onto the back few rows and shooting down onto the action.
Just don’t be "that guy" that gets in everyone else's way. You can also do this track side since, as the name suggests, this is a hill so you can shoot down onto the action.
A short walk up the hill brings you to one of the best locations for taking photographs at Brands Hatch - Druids. There are two main areas here, the outside of the bend and inside. We will look at the inside first. You will notice a foot bridge that grants you access to the inside of Druids.
This is a popular spectator spot so if it’s the shot you are after I would recommend getting to this location early. A 70-200mm lens is just right for the apex of the bend, with the super zoom being a better option for further down the hill towards Graham Hill bend shooting back to Druids.
Following the foot path down the hill from Druids will bring you to Graham Hill Bend. This area is not as good for action shots as Druids, but if there are sidecars racing it's one of the few locations where they will lift a wheel.
From Graham Hill Bend you can follow the track to the Cooper Straight. As there are fences all along here this area is not recommend unless you stand at the top of the banking for a panoramic shot.
The track now moves round to Surtees where the Indy track splits to the GP track. There aren't that many good spots around the inside of this corner. Personally at Graham Hill Bend I would double back to Druids and follow the path that can be found at the rear of Druids corner and follow it to the foot bridge to Pilgrims Drop.
To get this shot you will need a step to shoot over the fence and be on the hill right in the corner behind the Medical Centre, where Surtees and McLaren part.
Turning right after the foot bridge walking towards Surtees takes you down the GP track. If in use you can get some excellent shots just after the Marshalls' hut.
This is a popular spot where the local photographer will claim an area using steps to shoot over the fence. As the fence is quite low you can shoot between the upper most wires if you are tall. Watch for bikes lifting the front wheel.
Area F Surtees and McLaren - Outside.
You can continue down the track to capture the action at Surtees. This is a good location as the cars and bikes will be heading towards you, and is another hot spot for crash action. To get a better view of Surtees and McLaren as shown in the Britcar photos you will need to double back, turn right, and take the last foot bridge to the outside of the track.
From the outside of Surtees you have a number of options for the next location. Cross over the bridge behind you and head around the outside of the track to Clearways or double back past Pilgrims, cross the other bridge and turn right to Hawthorn Hill.
There is really only one good shot at Hawthorn Hill but it is a nice one. Best taken before midday shooting back to the bridge will give you the results below.
From Hawthorn Hill you can cross the bridge again and follow the footpath around the inside of the GP loop. There are not many good shots in this section but we have included them for you to make your decision on how you spend your time at Brands.
As you follow the path to Hawthorn there is a panning shot.
There are a couple of windows in the fence for the accredited snappers but it’s not really possible to get close enough if you stay behind the spectator barrier.
Hawthorns is a fast right hander where the spectators are above the track and you can get a panning shot at the apex.
The stretch from Hawthorns to Westfield and then Dingle Dell has extensive fencing, meaning that even simple panning shots are not possible. There is still a lot of fence, but there is an interesting rear three quarter shot as the cars speed off to Stirlings.
After our walk in the woods there is a small track that will take you to the best location for capturing the action looking back into Stirlings.
There is a photographers window here so it is a popular location however, there is only one shot so most people move along after getting what they want, well some do. There is also a good panning shot if you have the skills.
As Clearways is a large radius corner there are loads of angles you can try here, shooting back into Surtees and McLaren. Also, the exit to Clearways can give a pleasing shot as the track drops down to the right at Clarke Curve, however there is the ever present safety fencing. There’s also a window in the fence near a TV position which gives a really great shot as the cars come through Clearways.
This is not a great area as the cars and bikes will be heading away from you. There are a few gaps in the fence that the Marshalls use to access the track which will give you an unobscured view towards the Brabham Straight.
Moving down towards the start/finish line again you are shooting through the fence, but depending on the time of day you can still get a pleasing shot as shown here at the Into the Night Britcar Race.
If you are lucky enough to get into the Brands Hatch pit area here are a few shots of what you can expect. The pits in the morning are in shade so not great for photography. All of the photos taken here are from the Bennets pit box, an exclusive area for Bennets insurance customers that subscribe to their Bike Social program.
That concludes our guide to the Brands Hatch Indy Circuit with a bit of the GP track thrown in for good measure. I would like to thank Keith Adcock David Harbey and RPW Photography for helping out with this guide.
As a group of enthusiasts based mainly in the Midlands we don’t get to go down south that often, and throw in the fun and games that is the Dartford Crossing, you can understand why this guide is not as comprehensive as our others.
However, we will endeavour to attend more events at Brands Hatch and fill in the blanks. If you are local to Brands and would like to help out with this guide get in contact will us.
A Formula Ford Triple Header
Brands Hatch Winter Stage Rally
British Superbikes Round 12
Britcar Into the Night Endurance Racing
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