Cadwell Moto

Cadwell Moto is a track day on steroids organised by the Classic Bike Track days team. In this report, we will look at what you, as a spectator photographer, can experience at this event. Classic Bike Track days hosts meetings at tracks around the country. Two of which are held at Cadwell Park; I went along to the second event, Cadwell Moto.

The Classic Bike Track days team have been hosting events since 2012 for owners of classic motorcycles. The market for this form of track day is healthy, judging by the packed paddock last weekend at Cadwell Park. To say it was well attended would be an understatement. Lots of motorcycles at an event is great, but quantity over quality can be disappointing for the spectator photographer. I’m happy to report that the number of quantity motorcycles was off the chart at Cadwell Moto.

As one of the last dry, sunny days of the riding season, the local Lincolnshire motorcyclists had come out in their droves. The dedicated Cadwell motorcycle parking area had been designated as a display area. However, as so many like myself had turned up on two wheels, it was soon difficult to distinguish between the display bikes and the day visitors. 

Paddock

As is standard at any motorsports event, the top teams and main event sponsors will be in the prime locations. Closest to the track at the lower end of the paddock, there were great displays of classic racing motorcycles. There were displays celebrating Yamaha’s 70th Anniversary and the 50th anniversary of Yamaha’s first Grand Prix title. Also, various Yamaha models were being celebrated as they hit individual milestones. 

It wasn’t all about Yamaha; most of the motorcycle manufacturers were featured on different club and sponsors’ stands. Local motorcycle dealer Robspeed, who have relieved me of my hard-earned cash in the past, were there offering demo rides on the latest machines. So there was plenty to look at and photograph in the main display areas.

Moving towards the back of the paddock, the quality of the motorcycles didn’t diminish. The standard of the gazebos might not have been as good, but here were the classic motorcycle race enthusiasts. Dedicated track day addicts to more relaxed parade riders were all mixed in together. 

I spent quite some time walking the paddock, something I don’t do as a rule; I’m more interested in the action on the track. At every turn, there was something different to look at, photograph, and hold my attention. I would recommend spending some time in the paddock. The owners, as a rule, are happy to chat to you about their projects and the history of the machines they were taking out on the circuit throughout the day.

The Track

This is where I headed next: track side. The format is a standard track day; groups of riders are separated by the riders’ ability and, in some cases, the capacity of the machines. If you are after dynamic motorcycle pictures, listen out for the “experienced” group call over the tannoy.

The fastest riders will give you the best action pictures.  One of the best places to photograph motorcycles at Cadwell Park is Hall Bends.

I hadn’t planned on capturing a lot of action shots on the day I visited. My photography is a hobby, so I wanted to enjoy the day with no pressure or time constraints. However, once trackside I couldn’t help myself as a flow of great machines roared past.

Arriving at the bottom of the Mountain, the lunchtime parade laps were in progress, celebrating Yamaha’s 70th Anniversary. From the 50cc FS1-E to iconic OW-01, there was plenty to see as the riders went past at a steady pace. The local police, who had a bike safety stand at this event, were also enjoying the track and the sunshine. 

Poachers Pre-65 Classic Trials Club

Once the Yamahas had headed back to the paddock, there was a lull in proceedings for lunch. This gave me the opportunity to check out the Poachers Pre-65 Classic Trials Club. The club was doing displays and demos of trials riding through Cadwell’s wooded areas. 

A trial is to ride through a marked-out course without putting your feet to the ground or stopping.  The course will have indicated areas you must go through and takes a great deal of skill. There are many classes, as there are in any motorsport, but with trials riding, it is one of the few where age and gender have no influence. It’s all about the skill of the rider.

Photographic Postscript 

For this event, I selected a light camera and lens combination due to me using my motorcycle to get to Cadwell. I also decided to take out one of my older cameras, classic bikes, classic camera. The Nikon D3X full-frame DSLR was matched to the Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8 FX AF-S G ED. No vibration reduction on this classic super-sharp lens which I used round the paddock.

The Nikon 70-200 f/2.8E FL FX VR ED was also used in the paddock for a different look to my images but mostly I used it for the track pictures. I still class the ED version as the best 70-200mm f2.8 lens Nikon ever made. I attached a Nikon x2 teleconverter for a few of the long-range shots with this lens. You can check out which ones by clicking and opening the images and then clicking the i button.

So what are the takeaways from Moto Cadwell? As a spectator photographer, I found the event to be interesting and entertaining with plenty of subject matter to photograph. Previous Classic Bike Trackdays events have been free to spectate at; this event had a modest £12 entry fee. For a day’s entertainment in the early autumn sunshine, that’s not too bad. I think the fine weather had an influence on the quite large spectator numbers for what is a non-competitive track day.

I enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere, the great displays, and diverse motorcycles on show at the Classic Bike Trackdays Moto Cadwell event. If you are a motorcycle enthusiast and have a passion for motorsport photography I would put this event your diary for next year, you won’t be disappointed.