2022/23 Circuit Rally Championship - Round 6 - Part Two - Slow Stage Six on Sunday

Donington Park 

Report by David Harbey

12th March 2023

6Music have a Slow Sunday from time to time – a chilled, relaxed selection of music in distinct contrast to some of that station’s output! What’s that got to do with the Dukeries Rally ? With just two stages to run after the rather late lunch break, I decided to head back to the outside of the Esses where this time the competitors would be heading towards me in the oppositive direction to normal – so, no fences, and a good close view of the action!

The slow here is not the speed of the competitors; rather it is the shutter speed. I started at 1/100^th second for the two images above and then progressively slowed the shutter speed. By the time the rather battered Hyundai returned, I was down to 1/60^th second. All the shots that follow were taken at or around 70mm focal length and ISO100.

The number of images worth keeping reduces as the shutter speed gets slower. Now down to 1/50^th second.

It seemed to be going well so down to 1/40^th second shutter speed.

The Ginetta seemed to have got lost – this is rallying!  However, for this sort of rally – all tarmac – it’s an interesting choice.

Confidence is rising; the images on the screen on the back of the camera are looking OK, so down to 1/30^thsecond.

Ah, go on then – down to 1/20^th second … and still looking OK – after all, who can beat an Escort pushing hard.

Now down to 1/15^th second – much less keepers, but some interesting images to my eye at least – and an Opel Manta – a rare beast these days.

We are coming to the end of the event – so, why not – 1/10^th second …

I have no doubt that this sort of photography is very much down to personal taste, but for giving a sensation of movement and speed, there is little to beat it. For my parting shot, it’s back to a speedy 1/100^th second.