Teamspeed Members Hot Shot and Prohydro head to the Indianapolis 500
May 28, 2012 | 03:24 PM
#45
Thread Starter
| Teamspeed Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 919
From: Seattle
Rob, regarding the iPad, it had to do with the forum code that I was using from flickr. It was hyperlinking it back to my album. I removed the code and DJ went back and edited my previous posts.
May 28, 2012 | 05:01 PM
#46
Thread Starter
| Teamspeed Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 919
From: Seattle
And now, time for the photos of Graham's cars.
First, I have to thank Graham for allowing us such freedom with his cars. We met Graham at his house and hung out while he wiped the cars down. From there, I got to drive the McLaren out to the park while Christian rode with Graham in the CGT. When we reached the park, I pseudo staged the McLaren while the CGT parked. Graham got out, tossed us the keys and said he'd be back in a while as he was going to work back at the house. He said feel free to move the cars anywhere you like, but just be careful with the CGT clutch.
Christian and I got to work staging the cars and shooting away. The CGT clutch is pretty heavy, but actually it wasn't as hard as I heard it was. We moved the cars a round a few different times for different looks and spent about 2 hours shooting. I called Graham and told him we were done and he says "Go ahead and drive them back to the house."
It was only a half mile away so the drive was short, but oh how it was a fun drive back.
I cannot thank you enough Graham for setting us up with access during the race, and all of your hospitality outside of the race. It was the trip of a lifetime.
Now on with Graham's photos:
Christian moving the CGT to the next location.
First, I have to thank Graham for allowing us such freedom with his cars. We met Graham at his house and hung out while he wiped the cars down. From there, I got to drive the McLaren out to the park while Christian rode with Graham in the CGT. When we reached the park, I pseudo staged the McLaren while the CGT parked. Graham got out, tossed us the keys and said he'd be back in a while as he was going to work back at the house. He said feel free to move the cars anywhere you like, but just be careful with the CGT clutch.
Christian and I got to work staging the cars and shooting away. The CGT clutch is pretty heavy, but actually it wasn't as hard as I heard it was. We moved the cars a round a few different times for different looks and spent about 2 hours shooting. I called Graham and told him we were done and he says "Go ahead and drive them back to the house."
It was only a half mile away so the drive was short, but oh how it was a fun drive back.
I cannot thank you enough Graham for setting us up with access during the race, and all of your hospitality outside of the race. It was the trip of a lifetime.
Now on with Graham's photos:
Christian moving the CGT to the next location.
May 28, 2012 | 08:37 PM
#48
Teamspeed Pro
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,214
From: Where the Grass is Greener
This is an amazing thread. WOW. Not even sure where to begin with my feedback/comments...
Graham seems like a very cool dude. Met him back about 5 years ago when he was starting out and he spoke to me and a group of colleagues. Even then, at an EVEN YOUNGER age, you could tell he was going places. and MAN DID HE!
As for you two - perfect coverage of your trip. Great photos of "life at Indy" and cool caotions too
Then - the main event - the pictures of the CGT and Mac are just perfect. That red on the CGT is such a sick color and i think this might be the only time i have ever seen a red one featured in a photoshoot like this. Epic.
Thanks a lot guys!!!
Graham seems like a very cool dude. Met him back about 5 years ago when he was starting out and he spoke to me and a group of colleagues. Even then, at an EVEN YOUNGER age, you could tell he was going places. and MAN DID HE!
As for you two - perfect coverage of your trip. Great photos of "life at Indy" and cool caotions too
Then - the main event - the pictures of the CGT and Mac are just perfect. That red on the CGT is such a sick color and i think this might be the only time i have ever seen a red one featured in a photoshoot like this. Epic.
Thanks a lot guys!!!
May 28, 2012 | 08:55 PM
#49
Teamspeed Rookie
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 11
Time for an in-depth story from our trip!
For the "TL,DR" crowd: Holy crap, what a trip...
Day 1: After a decent flight back (change planes in Chicago), we made it in to Indy at 5pm. We picked up the rental car, and realized the track was only a few miles away, so of course we had to make at trip over.
We got there as the track was closing and after taking a few shots around the entrance, decided to drive around the backside. We found a rear entrance and were suddenly waved through...and into the track after hours. Nobody around, we drove and walked a bit and took off. It was a surreal feeling to be inside a place I've seen on TV since I was a kid.
Day 2: The first real day at the track. We got there early to pick up our credentials. The credential office is right outside the track, and was buzzing with people. Graham had set us up with access and pit/garage/grid passes--instead of an actual "ticket" or "pass", you get a silver pin.
We signed our waivers and got our pin, and headed to the track! Because of some confusion, we didn't enter in the credential gate, but instead went around the back side road again...which ended up being very fortunate!
It was community day, and as we drove up we were asked if we were going to drive on the track. The ONLY answer to that question is of course "YES!" so we were handed a waiver and told to just follow the car ahead. We drove down a side road, up to the track, handed a track guy our waiver and just like that, I was driving on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. They ask you to stay at 30mph, and while I may have gotten a "little" faster than that, I figured a hot lap was a good way never to be invited back.
The track is narrower than I expected, and the areas between the white line and the grass at the inside of the track are incredibly narrow. It blows me away that these guys dip their tires to the grass at 220+.
With a full lap done, James and I went to park and walk around the track. We checked out the garages and the work going on in the cars, then headed out to the track. Walking out of Gasoline Alley for the first time is like walking through the gates of Disneyland. You're one part excited, one part nervous, and one part "how the hell did I get here?"
James and I wandered up and down the pit areas, and checked out the vintage cars lined up and on display. There was an impressive collection of old Indy cars on display, but the one that really stood out was a car from 1909 that ran in the first race. The coolest part about this car was it's owner. While every other car's owner either politely asked people not to touch, or screamed (yes) at kids who got too close, this owner INVITED kids to sit in this car for pictures or just to pretend to drive, then gave them a "racing license" after! It was one of the coolest things I've seen someone do, and all the kids ate it up. And yes, I was told I was too old to qualify
Heading back to the house after our trip out (James and I were staying with friends about 30 minutes outside of town), we got a call from Graham. Did we want to attend a party that night with him? He'd have VIP passes waiting for us. It didn't take much thought to accept that one!
We headed to a Budweiser sponsored event at a local club where Graham was the featured guest. He did a great job answering questions and playing the gracious host--the club was very entertaining (fire-spitting bartenders, anyone?) and we had a great time.
Day 3: Thursday was another day at the track, and then photo shoot time with Graham's cars.
The Vintage cars took the track and it was neat to see the older cars run. As the cars came by you could hear the huge sound difference between the engine technologies as they changed through the years.
Graham's obligations at the track meant that we weren't able to start until later in the evening. James and I wandered up to the area where he lives, and looking for food, stumbled upon a dingy little place called the Red Key Tavern. This place served one of the best hamburgers I've ever had, and probably the best potato salad I've ever eaten. It was a win, and if I make it back to Indy, this will be one of the first places I go.
We finished eating and headed up to Graham's to meet the cars. His red Carrera GT and black McLaren MP4-12C were gorgeous. James drove the McLaren and I rode with Graham in the CGT to a local park where we were going to setup our shots. We shot the cars for awhile, and headed back to Graham's for dinner--James again in the MP4-12C, and I drove the CGT. What. A. Car. It was incredible.
Dinner with Grahams family was great, you couldn't meet a nicer group of people. It was a pleasure to eat with them and sit out on the back porch laughing and listening to stories. We left to make sure we got a good night's rest for the next day…
Day 4: Carb Day! The Indycars took the track, and we got to hear the engines at full song for the first time. It was great to watch the cars head down the front stretch and in to turn one. No mishaps, a lot of fast cars, and practice was done!
The Indy Lights were up for their race, and James and I were on the upper decks along the main straight to shoot photos. It was a great race with the cars going 4 wide at one point, and some incredibly tight racing.
The big event of the day was the Pit Stop Challenge. The teams were really into this competition, and it's huge bragging rights for the guys if they win. We were lucky enough to be right with the cars as they fired up and took off down the line, standing with the drivers and owners watching. Dario Franchitti and Scott Dixon next to you? Sure. Roger Penske bumping into your back as he's chatting with Chip Ganassi? Yep. James and I kept nudging each other over the incredible access we had.
Day 5: Saturday was a rest and rehydrate day (it was HOT each day), getting ready for the big Sunday.
Day 6: Race Day--We got up early as we had heard horror stories of 3 hour commutes to the track and parking miles away. We left the house at 5:30am, and managed to be in and parked by 6:40. People were already up and partying in the parking lot, and we figured it would be a long ahead…and we were right.
James and I headed to the garage and pits to check out the action, and the teams were getting ready. Martina McBride was finishing up her practice of the National Anthem, and we hung out on pit row while the cars rolled in and the tire changers got one last practice in. Then it was time to grid the cars--we followed Graham's car out to the track and their grid spot, as people swarmed their favorite car. Ruebens Barichello had a huge Brazilian following at the race.
The time came to clear the track, and we headed over to the hill on Turn 3 to watch the race. We were about 100 feet from the cars on the track, with a big monitor right behind us, so it was a perfect place to watch the race. The party was in full swing around us, and I was impressed with how much the crowd loved their drivers, especially Kanaan. The Indiana crowd really wanted Kanaan to win, and went nuts every time he made a pass. Franchitti pulled off the win after Sato crashed to bring out the final yellow, and we went to the car to cool off for a few minutes.
James and I made a quick trip to the Rahal motorhome to say goodbye to the family and wait out some of the traffic, and then our adventure was over!
Thanks so much to Graham and his family for treating so well, it was definitely a once-in-a-lifetime trip!
For the "TL,DR" crowd: Holy crap, what a trip...
Day 1: After a decent flight back (change planes in Chicago), we made it in to Indy at 5pm. We picked up the rental car, and realized the track was only a few miles away, so of course we had to make at trip over.
We got there as the track was closing and after taking a few shots around the entrance, decided to drive around the backside. We found a rear entrance and were suddenly waved through...and into the track after hours. Nobody around, we drove and walked a bit and took off. It was a surreal feeling to be inside a place I've seen on TV since I was a kid.
Day 2: The first real day at the track. We got there early to pick up our credentials. The credential office is right outside the track, and was buzzing with people. Graham had set us up with access and pit/garage/grid passes--instead of an actual "ticket" or "pass", you get a silver pin.
We signed our waivers and got our pin, and headed to the track! Because of some confusion, we didn't enter in the credential gate, but instead went around the back side road again...which ended up being very fortunate!
It was community day, and as we drove up we were asked if we were going to drive on the track. The ONLY answer to that question is of course "YES!" so we were handed a waiver and told to just follow the car ahead. We drove down a side road, up to the track, handed a track guy our waiver and just like that, I was driving on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. They ask you to stay at 30mph, and while I may have gotten a "little" faster than that, I figured a hot lap was a good way never to be invited back.
The track is narrower than I expected, and the areas between the white line and the grass at the inside of the track are incredibly narrow. It blows me away that these guys dip their tires to the grass at 220+.
With a full lap done, James and I went to park and walk around the track. We checked out the garages and the work going on in the cars, then headed out to the track. Walking out of Gasoline Alley for the first time is like walking through the gates of Disneyland. You're one part excited, one part nervous, and one part "how the hell did I get here?"
James and I wandered up and down the pit areas, and checked out the vintage cars lined up and on display. There was an impressive collection of old Indy cars on display, but the one that really stood out was a car from 1909 that ran in the first race. The coolest part about this car was it's owner. While every other car's owner either politely asked people not to touch, or screamed (yes) at kids who got too close, this owner INVITED kids to sit in this car for pictures or just to pretend to drive, then gave them a "racing license" after! It was one of the coolest things I've seen someone do, and all the kids ate it up. And yes, I was told I was too old to qualify
Heading back to the house after our trip out (James and I were staying with friends about 30 minutes outside of town), we got a call from Graham. Did we want to attend a party that night with him? He'd have VIP passes waiting for us. It didn't take much thought to accept that one!
We headed to a Budweiser sponsored event at a local club where Graham was the featured guest. He did a great job answering questions and playing the gracious host--the club was very entertaining (fire-spitting bartenders, anyone?) and we had a great time.
Day 3: Thursday was another day at the track, and then photo shoot time with Graham's cars.
The Vintage cars took the track and it was neat to see the older cars run. As the cars came by you could hear the huge sound difference between the engine technologies as they changed through the years.
Graham's obligations at the track meant that we weren't able to start until later in the evening. James and I wandered up to the area where he lives, and looking for food, stumbled upon a dingy little place called the Red Key Tavern. This place served one of the best hamburgers I've ever had, and probably the best potato salad I've ever eaten. It was a win, and if I make it back to Indy, this will be one of the first places I go.
We finished eating and headed up to Graham's to meet the cars. His red Carrera GT and black McLaren MP4-12C were gorgeous. James drove the McLaren and I rode with Graham in the CGT to a local park where we were going to setup our shots. We shot the cars for awhile, and headed back to Graham's for dinner--James again in the MP4-12C, and I drove the CGT. What. A. Car. It was incredible.
Dinner with Grahams family was great, you couldn't meet a nicer group of people. It was a pleasure to eat with them and sit out on the back porch laughing and listening to stories. We left to make sure we got a good night's rest for the next day…
Day 4: Carb Day! The Indycars took the track, and we got to hear the engines at full song for the first time. It was great to watch the cars head down the front stretch and in to turn one. No mishaps, a lot of fast cars, and practice was done!
The Indy Lights were up for their race, and James and I were on the upper decks along the main straight to shoot photos. It was a great race with the cars going 4 wide at one point, and some incredibly tight racing.
The big event of the day was the Pit Stop Challenge. The teams were really into this competition, and it's huge bragging rights for the guys if they win. We were lucky enough to be right with the cars as they fired up and took off down the line, standing with the drivers and owners watching. Dario Franchitti and Scott Dixon next to you? Sure. Roger Penske bumping into your back as he's chatting with Chip Ganassi? Yep. James and I kept nudging each other over the incredible access we had.
Day 5: Saturday was a rest and rehydrate day (it was HOT each day), getting ready for the big Sunday.
Day 6: Race Day--We got up early as we had heard horror stories of 3 hour commutes to the track and parking miles away. We left the house at 5:30am, and managed to be in and parked by 6:40. People were already up and partying in the parking lot, and we figured it would be a long ahead…and we were right.
James and I headed to the garage and pits to check out the action, and the teams were getting ready. Martina McBride was finishing up her practice of the National Anthem, and we hung out on pit row while the cars rolled in and the tire changers got one last practice in. Then it was time to grid the cars--we followed Graham's car out to the track and their grid spot, as people swarmed their favorite car. Ruebens Barichello had a huge Brazilian following at the race.
The time came to clear the track, and we headed over to the hill on Turn 3 to watch the race. We were about 100 feet from the cars on the track, with a big monitor right behind us, so it was a perfect place to watch the race. The party was in full swing around us, and I was impressed with how much the crowd loved their drivers, especially Kanaan. The Indiana crowd really wanted Kanaan to win, and went nuts every time he made a pass. Franchitti pulled off the win after Sato crashed to bring out the final yellow, and we went to the car to cool off for a few minutes.
James and I made a quick trip to the Rahal motorhome to say goodbye to the family and wait out some of the traffic, and then our adventure was over!
Thanks so much to Graham and his family for treating so well, it was definitely a once-in-a-lifetime trip!