Photographing the British Super Bikes at Brands Hatch

Report by David Harbey

25 March 2022

As had become my custom in the second half of the 2021 Bennetts British Superbike Championship, I headed south for the Saturday action at Brands Hatch equipped with my usual set of 24-70, 70-200 and 200-500 lenses, plus monopod and step. The plan was to use each of the lenses at a different location around the circuit. The PistonClick guide to Brands Hatch can be found here.

The day promised a packed day of qualifying and racing with mixed weather, so, having parked at South Bank (and paid the fee demanded for the privilege at larger meetings), I sat myself at the outside of Druids with the 200-500 to shoot the bikes at the apex.

It’s through the fence, so the usual rules of getting as close as possible and at right angles to the fence apply. The Junior Supersports were finishing their qualifying session.

BSB Free Practice 3 was next, so I stayed where I was - the ever useful step coming in useful as a seat to get the low down shot. Most riders took part, although championship contenders Tarran Mackenzie and Tommy Bridewell both restricted themselves to a single lap each.

Time to head off briefly to Hawthorns on the Grand Prix circuit while the Junior Superstocks were qualifying. It was also the chance to try out the 24-70 for the wider view.

I also wanted to use the 24-70 on the inside of Druids - it’s a great wide shot with the blurry crowds behind. Superstock were qualifying for their Sunday race.

I rather like the reverse shot as the bikes run down to Graham Hill Bend with the colourful crowd and paddock in the background.

Time for BSB qualifying – and I’d forgotten that advertising boards are present for the larger meetings – so my shot of the bikes braking for Druids was only partially successful. They also demand tight cropping for an apex shot. We did get flames though !

A quick break for lunch and it was back to the 200-500 at the exit of Surtees. The step is useful here to shoot the Ducatis in the TriOptions Cup over the fence. The grid here includes a couple of notable names – Chris Walker #9 and John McGuinness #4.

There’s an interesting spot to shoot from just by the vehicle bridge across the track at Clearways looking back to Stirlings. You have to dodge the camera stand scaffolding and various bits of tree hanging down but it does give an interesting image of the Junior Superstocks.

Walking round to Clearways, there’s a good reverse shot as the bikes plunge through Clark Curve.

Keep on walking and there’s a shot through the fence as the riders head under the afore-mentioned vehicle bridge to Clearways.

Before we leave this area, here’s some final shots as the bikes come through the curve. It’s though the fence again, but seems to work well.

One of the advantages of the Saturday of a BSB weekend, is that the numbers spectating (and snapping) are fewer than on Sunday.

Thus, I was pleased to have little competition for the windows in the fence looking back to Stirlings. The Supersport / GP2 race shows the range of shots that can be obtained here including some more arty shots !

And so, to the first BSB race of the weekend and the championship showdown for 2021. All eyes were on Taz Mackenzie, Tommy Bridewell, Jason O’Halloran and Christian Iddon.

This is a really great spot to shoot bikes (although for four wheel shooters here, the light reflects horribly on angled windscreens, especially Lamborghini Huracans). You may also find yourself cropping out the barrier and any emergency or marshal’s vehicles in the background.

Mackenzie took the first of three wins over the weekend, with Bridewell second each time, securing Taz the championship win.

The last race of the day was for sidecars, so back to the inside of Druids and the trusty 70-200 finally gets an outing at the end of the day.

The PistonClick team are looking forward to the new BSB season – kicking off with test sessions in March. Calendar here.

You can see more of Davids Photography from the links below.