Attending Track Days and Test Days at Brands Hatch

Why should I attend a day where there’s no actual racing? Is it free? How accessible is it? These questions will be covered throughout this article as we delve into the trackdays available and how going to the trackdays can be a great way to access racing photography for very low cost and relaxed atmosphere too.

Track and Test Days at Brands Hatch

For the purposes of this article, we will be looking at Brands Hatch as the circuit for the track days although other circuits are available. Brands Hatch is a very local circuit to me and somewhere I frequent to try and build up a larger portfolio of images for free. Firstly, attending a track day is completely free and you can park in the circuit; for again; completely free of charge, this can be very convenient as it means you don’t have to make a long trek back to the car if you forget anything but also allows you to carry less as there is no pressure of limited time for your money spent on admission. 

Track and Test Days Benefits

One of the large benefits to attending a trackday is that the pitlane is completely open and accessible, so you are able to take the route under the track by the viewing boxes or walk from paddock hill under the track there, at which point you will be out in the pitlane where you will have almost complete access to everything available. Ear plugs or something to protect your hearing is definitely recommended as the sound can get quite loud due to you standing below track surface and in an active pit lane.

Naturally, you should always make sure that you are aware of your surroundings and how the cars have priority over you, but you can get very close to the action, so a telephoto lens isn’t essential for this part of the track. Another benefit of being in the pits is being able to get up on the pit wall and take pictures through the gaps on the fence, this is very close to the racing and can yield very satisfying results with any lens available, as shown below.

Another large benefit to these days are that the track is very devoid of people and a very large amount of the track is easily accessible as there isn’t many other people fighting for a spot to stand. Equally, there is a steady flow of cars all day, whether it be people attending track days or teams testing before an event, so looking at what event is at the weekend following a track day could be a good indicator as to what cars would be attending the event, such as before the GT cars at Brands Hatch, the support series were all testing on track in shifts as they prepared for the weekend. 

Track and Test Days Conclusion

Days where the track is open to the testing and trackdays can be an amazing opportunity to gain experience and capture more images to perfect your craft more, the closeness to the paddock also opens the opportunity for speaking to teams and getting your name and brand more spread and exposed. The marshalling team at Brands Hatch are very kind and answer any questions/nervousness about being in the pits you may have, this was how I was able to find out that standing on the pit wall was an option as well as the rules around it.

Overall, attending these days are an amazing opportunity I would definitely recommend and would push for anyone to able to attend if it be possible, as mostly these sessions occur on Thursday’s and Friday’s, although other days might be available but be sure to check online on the appropriate teams website before arrival.

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