Blog - 38 Chateau Impney Historic Hill Climb 2018

7th & 8th July 2018
The original Chateau Impney speed trials were organised by the Hagley & District Light Car Club, running from 1957 to 1967. These speed trial events epitomised the golden era of motorsport, when amateur and professional drivers competed alongside one another in the fastest cars of the day and across every discipline of motorsport Then in 2015 Chateau Impney relaunched this great historic Hill Climb race and today in 2018 I'm here.
Armed with 5 million public liability a Sigma 150-600mm and my D500 this was the perfect test for camera and lens combo, the 10 frames a second and ultra fast autofocus this is what the Nikon D500 is built for I was lucky enough to get a media accreditation for trackside access via @instagramworcester and Chateau Impney for this classic hill climb race, fulfilling my love of motorsport and photography in one hit!.
Saturday 7.30 signed in, the all important coffee and bacon butty, and off to the track various view point around the hill climb with the Chateau as a backdrop is really a stunning location. The D500 went into action tried various focus modes from 3D tracking to single point with a continues focus setting, the camera was absolutely spot on just nailed the focus every shot. actually don’t need 10 frames a second and soon dialled it down but very please with capabilities of this camera.
Football fans not being forgotten they were also catered for as England game on Saturday was on the screen overlooking the start line so all was covered in this important world cup run, The day went very quick and finished 18.00 tired and went home for a cold beer and rest those feet.
Sunday coffee & sausage butty and it’s race day, the race starts & 8.30 and continue all day, with a collection of classic cars and competitors strive to write their names in a new chapter of the Chateau's motorsport history by challenging one of the UK's most unique hill climb courses.
Have to say this great location for photography without media access as you can really get close to the action all along the hill climb track, and large TV screens around the track you never miss the action, there are plenty of other attractions around from static cars and great selection of food and coffee outlets a great weekend in the scorching UK Summer, looking forward to 2019!