Thruxton
A Photographic Guide to Thruxton Circuit
Another airfield, just another race track ? Yes, but with some differences to the other similar circuits we have published guides for at Snetterton and Silverstone. Proclaiming that it is the UK’s fastest race track, it first hosted motorbikes in the fifties and then cars from 1968.
It is a classic fast, flowing and flat airfield track and there is extensive spectating around the western end of the circuit from the Club Chicane to Noble . There is a limited amount of fencing to work round for snappers despite the track hosting BTCC and BSB races.
This was only my third visit to Thruxton – an F3 meeting in the 90s and before that the Easter Monday Interserie race in 1986. Interserie was German series that occasionally headed to the UK with its mix of Group C, Can-Am and “other” sports cars. Richard Lloyd Racing entered their Porsche 956 for James Weaver in a one off sponsorship deal with Tecno – then my camera shop of choice. Over the two heats, Weaver finished second to Jo Gartner in his Kremer Porsche 962. This 35mm slide is all I have in the archives.
Arriving at the main entrance brings you to the track opposite the pit lane and start / finish (A). The circuit provides extensive views at most locations generally from banking to give a good view. Access to the paddock, pits and Thruxton Centre is via the tunnel just after the chicane.
There’s a nice panning shot as the cars head past the pits – here PC Chris Rea (yes, that one) is seen in his uniquely livered Morris Minor.
Walking round Allard (B) there is a view back to the start / finish or a panning shot. It’s immediately noticeable that the relative lack of circuit “furniture” makes for a more interesting image.
Continuing on towards Campbell (C), there are a range of front and rear angles including the cars heading through Campbell, Cobb and Seagrave. You may note the theme of speed record holders in the corner names here.
On the inside of Cobb, (D) there’s a nice mid corner shot, but beware the emergency vehicles in the background.
By the time you get to Seagrave (E) it is onto the wide open spaces with views back though Cobb and Campbell or down to Noble.
There is fencing here but it is possible to get a good shot of the cars through Seagrave – get as close as possible to the fence and use the biggest aperture you can. The quicker cars will tend to oversteer here – as demonstrated by Will Nuthall in the Lotus 15 (#26)
Spectators cannot go beyond Noble but there is banking that gives a view back to Campbell / Cobb (F). There’s also an angle looking down on the cars.
Heading back to the start, I took the tunnel to the paddock. The Thruxton Centre has a café and viewing from the inside of the track at pit out / Allard (albeit that you really need a step to get above the Armco). At the meeting I was at, access to the balcony was available for a fee which could be set against your first drink.
Walking past the Centre there is a panning shot / rear view to Campbell (G). Over lunchtime there were various demos including Tommy Bridewell on his BSB machine. Again, a step would have been useful and, had I had the time, the 200-500mm zoom would have been better here.
For the afternoon, I headed to the chicane. There’s a superb angle with no fencing (H) at the exit of the chicane. For the Saturday of the Historic meeting I was at, it was not busy here, but I imagine it would be a very popular spot for BSB / BTCC. Tiff Needell, local hero, manages a “dab of oppo” in the Lister Jaguar (#52).
There are two grandstands at the Chicane – one for the public – which was free for this meeting. It allows a chance to take the weight of your feet for a few minutes and (from the back row) gives a different angle of the chicane (I).
Beyond the grandstand there is a view down Woodham Hill (J). This is through fencing but can produce a decent photo – especially if there are cars competing that flame out on the over-run.
Notes
• I used both my 70-200mm and 200-500mm zoom lenses during the day. At no point are you a long way from the track.
• Take care with the light. The orientation of the circuit means that you could be shooting into the sun. I walked from the start to Noble in the morning and spent the afternoon at the Chicane. I use an app called LightTrac to get a heads up before getting to the track.
• The backdrops vary from airfield buildings to trees and fields. I really like the combination of the green background and the bright colours of the chicane kerbing.
• If you have friends / family who are less interested in motorsport, there is the Hawk Conservancy a couple of miles down the road. On this occasion, Madeline had an excellent day there photographing the birds including this superb bald eagle.
Thanks to David and Madeline Harbey Photography for this photographic guide to Thruxton. Check out Davids Web page, Twitter and Flicker accounts to see more of of his work.
If you are looking for motorcycles at Thruxton you can read our British Super Bikes Round 6 report from Thruxton 12th -14 August 2022 by clicking the image below.
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