- 24,461
- United States
- GTP_Jordan
- GTP_Jordan
I've finally got a few kinks worked out of our Gallery software, so now you guys can take a look at all the pictures I took at this year's US Grand Prix. I narrowed it down to 177 of the best images out of 758, so it's been quite a daunting task and with that said I do hope you guys enjoy them. 
Here they are divided into 4 different albums, one for each day...
Thursday - Pit Walkabout
The largest album from the weekend contains a lot of cool shots up close and personal with the engineers and mechanics working on the cars in the garages. You'll find pictures of most every team, although it was quite difficult to get a shot of the Ferrari garage because of the huge crowd around it! I also was able to see the new SLK55 safety car, and I must say it looks simply awesome in person...I didn't much care for the photos I've seen but the new design really struck me! You could get right up to the wall next to the track, so that allowed for some cool shots of the grid and the racing surface.
Friday - Track Day at Putnam Park Raceway
As much fun as the GP was, I think this was my favorite day of the whole thing! A local children's hospital was having a fundraising event at Putnam Park, and for $15 you could drive as many laps as you like (you did have to keep it under 55 MPH on the straightaway
, but through the curves you could really push hard 
). I couldn't believe that I finally got to take my G35 Coupe to a track and put it through it's paces! It was a complete blast and I loved every minute of it! With no local autocross events, car clubs, or racetracks in the area where I live, this was really something special for me.
But, as cool as it was already, one guy at the event owned a Ferrari F50, Ferrari F360 Modena, 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB, a BMW M1, and Noble M12!!! Yes, this guy was very lucky. I started talking to him a bit, and asked him if he would take me for a few laps around the track in his F50 - and he said YES!!! I couldn't believe I was actually sitting in one of five silver Ferrari F50's in the world. The engine sounds so perfect and agressive inside the car, and the acceleration can't be compared to anything. There is no body roll, and the racing seats hug on to you so you can't move around. In a word, it was amazing, and I will forever be thankful to the owner for taking me around.
He was a very nice man, and believed that cars like that were meant to be enjoyed by everyone, and he was happy to show it to me. If only everyone who was lucky enough to own supercars had the same attitude!
Saturday - F1 Qualifying/Porsche Supercup Race
We got some great shots from one of the new grandstands set up overlooking turns 8, 9, and 10. The crowds were ridiculous, and I did get a horrible sunburn (my face is still peeling), but it was a lot of fun. We also waited at the BMW Williams booth to see Ralf Schumacher up close and personal. He came out for a quick interview and autographs, but the crowd got so tight and maddening when he came near that it was to the point where you can't stand up, and you're just pressed tightly against other people, unable to balance on your own. Not very comfortable or safe, but it just goes to show how far some people will go to get an autograph.
Sunday - The Race
No need to say much here, as I'm sure most all of you watched this event-filled race! It was certainly a good one to see in person. Although I wasn't able to see Ralf's crash from the first turn, I had a front row seat for Alonso's crash (I was literally sitting right in front of where his car came to a rest, I was even able to see myself on TV when I got home and watched the recording), and for Webber's engine explosion. All in all they were great seats, and after four years now of attending the race I must say they are the best I've ever had. I can't wait for next year!
Also, if you want to download any of the images in their full 2048 x 1536 resolution, just visit https://www.gtplanet.net/misc/f1.
Here they are divided into 4 different albums, one for each day...Thursday - Pit Walkabout
The largest album from the weekend contains a lot of cool shots up close and personal with the engineers and mechanics working on the cars in the garages. You'll find pictures of most every team, although it was quite difficult to get a shot of the Ferrari garage because of the huge crowd around it! I also was able to see the new SLK55 safety car, and I must say it looks simply awesome in person...I didn't much care for the photos I've seen but the new design really struck me! You could get right up to the wall next to the track, so that allowed for some cool shots of the grid and the racing surface.
Friday - Track Day at Putnam Park Raceway
As much fun as the GP was, I think this was my favorite day of the whole thing! A local children's hospital was having a fundraising event at Putnam Park, and for $15 you could drive as many laps as you like (you did have to keep it under 55 MPH on the straightaway
, but through the curves you could really push hard ). I couldn't believe that I finally got to take my G35 Coupe to a track and put it through it's paces! It was a complete blast and I loved every minute of it! With no local autocross events, car clubs, or racetracks in the area where I live, this was really something special for me.But, as cool as it was already, one guy at the event owned a Ferrari F50, Ferrari F360 Modena, 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB, a BMW M1, and Noble M12!!! Yes, this guy was very lucky. I started talking to him a bit, and asked him if he would take me for a few laps around the track in his F50 - and he said YES!!! I couldn't believe I was actually sitting in one of five silver Ferrari F50's in the world. The engine sounds so perfect and agressive inside the car, and the acceleration can't be compared to anything. There is no body roll, and the racing seats hug on to you so you can't move around. In a word, it was amazing, and I will forever be thankful to the owner for taking me around.
He was a very nice man, and believed that cars like that were meant to be enjoyed by everyone, and he was happy to show it to me. If only everyone who was lucky enough to own supercars had the same attitude!Saturday - F1 Qualifying/Porsche Supercup Race
We got some great shots from one of the new grandstands set up overlooking turns 8, 9, and 10. The crowds were ridiculous, and I did get a horrible sunburn (my face is still peeling), but it was a lot of fun. We also waited at the BMW Williams booth to see Ralf Schumacher up close and personal. He came out for a quick interview and autographs, but the crowd got so tight and maddening when he came near that it was to the point where you can't stand up, and you're just pressed tightly against other people, unable to balance on your own. Not very comfortable or safe, but it just goes to show how far some people will go to get an autograph.
Sunday - The Race
No need to say much here, as I'm sure most all of you watched this event-filled race! It was certainly a good one to see in person.
Although I wasn't able to see Ralf's crash from the first turn, I had a front row seat for Alonso's crash (I was literally sitting right in front of where his car came to a rest, I was even able to see myself on TV when I got home and watched the recording), and for Webber's engine explosion. All in all they were great seats, and after four years now of attending the race I must say they are the best I've ever had. I can't wait for next year!Also, if you want to download any of the images in their full 2048 x 1536 resolution, just visit https://www.gtplanet.net/misc/f1.
