Moto-Brian

What are the standards for production? I mean, the Boss Hoss has a Corvette motor in it and they produce them in amounts per year, right? Is there a limit and is there a set of guides they follow to come up with that? My feelings are that you need to do 100-200 per year to be considered "produced"...

It's a monopoly when we look at their portfolio and ask what they charge and make sure it ISN'T a rip off for customers? It's a monopoly if you go to a professional football, baseball, basketball event and they stipulate camera lens sizes that are allowed and what isn't? It's a monopoly that you decide as to whom you want to pay to shoot your wedding? You taking pics of your buddies is different. Like I said and listed below, there are PLENTY of spots you can get good pics from. Plenty. If they are your friends and you take pics of just them and even if you charge them, I don't give a shit. But, you take pics of everyone and start selling them? Guess who's not going to be allowed to take pics at any of our events again? Pictures are fine. There are just rules. Instead of the bickering and drawing in guys that make it worse, you could be contacting me to work out how to get involved and become a photographer with us. Choices are made. We have people that do this for a living. We feel there is only a need for one professional photographer. The pics at Putnam are an example of what can be had all the while being in areas allowed by Joe Public. Now, try convincing the track and the track day org that you want to shoot at the Bus Stop or Dead Bear... If we have a guy charging $150 for a CD, he isn't going to be doing any events I am associated with. Again, $30-$40 for a bunch of images is pretty standard. $10 for an 8x10 is pretty fair. Think it is bad for motorcycle guys? Ask the same photography company what they get at car races and car track days... You'll still be picking your jaw up off the floor... Basic pics are essentially from spots where the general public are allowed. You show up with a huge lens (Over 6") and are taking pics of every rider as we observe you and you're out of our events - and any other track day event that ANY track day org has an official photographer at. Buddies aren't the whole group. And then the next group, and the next... It's simple as this: You're a contractor that got offered a job on a site. You then show up and there's now 3 other contractors that showed up out of nowhere and are doing the same job as you. Maybe charging less, maybe more. Whatever the cost, the the amount of work has now been divided by 4 instead of 1. How's that fair? Sorry I said I was done and wasn't, but you guys are getting WAY wrong info and certainly have a feeling that you should be granted freedom to do whatever you want wherever you wish. That ain't gonna happen and I can tell you, if you try it at Mid-Ohio and are caught going into areas for shots that you are not allowed, you're going to be booted or chewed out. Not to mention if they have a photographer they allowed in to do work...

Ok, here's the deal and I am done with this... We have 100 plus people. I choose or Monte chooses based on pics we have seen from the guys or if we know their work. It's set up that we have ONE official photographer. Typically, it's something like $30-$40 for a CD filled with images. The guy will be out in the hot sun shooting thousands of pics. Working all day. Time is worth money and the level of quality is purely opinion at times. I've bought pics from kids hanging off a fence out of turn one at Mid-Ohio that were better than the AMA official photographer at the event... If we allow a guy to come in and free lance and basically out sell the other guy, that's bullshit. Plus, we haven't found a guy we can get for every event all the time. Some tracks, we do and they are usually the sole guy. They are typically making a living at this and we don't feel it is needed to have multiple photographers there. It's the same at the track for the races. They have APPROVED and official photographers. Usually no more than 3-4 that will be selling stuff to racers. At the Professional level, there are tons of guys shooting pics. Some teams hire guys, some magazines have guys, some sell to racers, some are there for the track and related. There's tons... Bottom line is simple. Wanna be a photographer at a track? You have to ask. If you want to shoot basic pics and even from pretty cool spots and share with the buddies you came with? Go for it. But, if you go with the idea that you're going to make money and sell to others all the while w/o asking permission? That's pretty stupid to begin with. Wouldn't you want everyone at the track during rider's meeting to know who the guy taking pics is? Otherwise, you're walking around talking to people and not taking pics... Like I said, Likwid wants to be a photographer? Get with me or Monte and let's work on getting you at some events... I am willing to share the events to a lot of guys. Some tracks, we have a guy solely for that venue and facility... As they say, All ya gotta do is ask.

$10 is a fair price. If the photographer sucks, people need to tell us so we can get different ones. We tried a few different guys last year and only 1-2 were worth it in my opinion. That being said, the idea is still pretty simple. Person X is the official guy and person Y comes in and under suts him w/o permission. That's BS business and BS tactics. It will also get you ejected at my events... I don't mind if you are interested and want to do an event. Let's plan for it. Let's make a time when you can come to one of our events and get you started. But, like the other guys, you will be official at whatever event and I will not allow another person to come and take pics to sell to people you are targeting to sell to. Even if it is for only $1... It's the same idea at any sporting event. There are guys there taking pics for a living. Taking pics of your buddies and giving them to those guys? Nothing wrong at all.

Actually, if a track day org or a race org is running an event, you follow both rules - the track and the org's... That being said, if we are running an event and we have an official photographer and you are also taking pics and selling them or with the thought of selling them, we can ask you not to and ask you to leave if you do not do so... It's the organization's event and they can set the rules as to who does and doesn't take pics and for what reason. Also, if you are going to sell and you get into a copyright issue or similar, you better be able to show you are a business. And, if you cannot and you are shown to be selling your product or services and it is shown that you are not a legit business, you can be in some trouble and it all becomes moot... We are not up at Nelsons. But, at Mid-Ohio as the example I used as it is what I was directing at every event, we establish official photographers that are introduced to the customers at Rider's Meeting and are allowed and granted access to areas not normally allowed by the general public. Again, to get a good shot, you have to have a big lens and also need to be in a good spot. If you have one of those pro lenses as seen at the football games and at the races by the guys poking through the catch fences, you are going to be there with intentions to sell. If you have one that big and are doing it for no money intended, you're fine as you can still get some cool shots from the hot pit and at the top of the keyhole, carousel, etc. But, typically, guys want a better angle and that requires poking through the camera holes in the fence lines and that's a no go unless you are allowed access... There isn't a single track day company that is going to allow guys to freelance and do whatever they want. Their insurance will not allow it. The track is also not going to allow it as their insurance isn't going to allow it either. Raceday events are different as you have to provide credentials, sign waivers, etc. They also are with magazines, pro photographers and are working for industry people. They don't allow Joe Public to get down past fences and behind the tire walls, etc. Not a single person will be allowed to do so. You climb a fence at any track and you are not authorized to do so, you'll get in deep shit quick. As for the private events, like I said, if we have an official photographer, do you honestly feel it's fair to take money away from him/them? Guy travels to a track day and is figuring on making and selling pics to support what he does and his expenses. Meanwhile, you show up, take a bunch of pics and sell to the same crowd? That's pretty low as it isn't fair to undercut someone...

Ok... Here's the drill. This coming from an STT person as well as a racer who has had a share amount of photos taken and what is charged and what is expected on the racers' end... STT rules first and most rules for most companies doing track days. 1) Typically, a photographer is set for our days. Not always, but if there is an official photographer, you can shoot the traditional shots that people take in the pits, etc. You selling them from that event would not be tolerated. You also would not have access nor be allowed access the official photographer would have so, your shots are going to be in traditional spots and from places not optimal. 2) IF you would be allowed to take pics and be allowed to sell your product, we typically look at photgraphers and their portfolio. If I see wedding pics, stills, and some artsy stuff, I'm probably going to pass on having you shoot with intention of having our customers pay. If you want to offer your services free to get started, that's different. 3) The idea behind what Flounder is saying is somewhat true. Depending on the situation at hand - say a private session or a test with equipment that is not wanting to be seen yet to the GP, pics can be banned and not allowed. If they are banned from using, they need to state that as you enter and any cameras confiscated and not allowed to be used. In that case, if you do take pics and then post them, you can get into some issues... However, in an event like a track day, you can do whatever you want, but if there was an official photographer and you are selling pics under him from our events, you won't be allowed to come most likely the next time. Fool me once type of thing... Finally, the track and the organization that is holding the event can use pictures in advertising and such if taken at an event and submitted. It states that in the fine print when you sign the waiver... Worth reading... Overall, my suggestion is this. If you want to take pics, ask. Call us or whomever you are going to be shooting with and make sure there is no conflict. I have an official guy there and you are climbing fences to get pics, you're going to be asked to leave. At Mid-Ohio, the corner workers kept a good eye out and they knew who the official guy was. The official guy was allowed access within the guidelines of the Mid-Ohio staff. If someone else w/o permission (i.e. not an official photographer) was doing the same things, the cornerworkers got ahold of me and we give them the riot act. They are then told they can shoot only from the hot pit, the garages and in the pits and nothing more. They can shoot from a spectator perspective and that's the closest they can get. If they have professional equipment, we treat it like a pro football event. A certain size lens and you keep it in the car... Rules are rules... In the end, get some practice. The prices some of these guys charge is insane. Typically, you are doing it all digitally and one CD isn't worth $100 unless you are Bryan Nelson or similar. Watch the costs associated and don't think you can get the same as established race photographers... You'll get some customers, but when they get the CD and see how lame it really is for the money, word travels REALLY fast...

sold!!!

"What? Don't make it weird."

Just when you thought it was dead... Newb comes along and stirs some shit... I just did a lap at Putnam and hit 1:10 flat. It was pretty chilly yesterday, but I think the traction was dead on...

Honestly, drag racing a Lambo to evaluate it's performance is stupid. Second, the Lambo is gonna DESTROY that sin of a car they call a Chevy. Sin meaning the color. WTF? Finally, I'd like to see a real test of the Lambo as I am in love with the Reventon... Drag racing shows nothing and is really a small fraction of a car's ability...

VERY possible. I will know more by end of the month...

The way it is looking, I will be...

Then buy it!

Not as Pimptastic as the one you are going to end up buying... You know you want it - everyone does it - it'll only hurt at first and then it gets a lot easier...

That's why you gotta get the anodized ones, man! Yeah, the aluminum "raw" ones wear pretty damn fast. The treated ones last longer, but I think even so, they won't get many miles... Like the sidewinders do...

Bump this up. Great price for a weekend and getting a really great deal on tires. Autobahn North is a great layout and VERY fun. When you break this down, you are getting the tire sets for under $100! Or, you can swap it around and say you are getting the track days for under $100! No smoke and mirrors... Support your site sponsors and sign up today! Scope out the tire deals and calendar of events at: www.sportbiketracktime.com

I use black or anodized 520 sprockets and typically gold chains. I'm baller like that...

Yes, 52/42... Sorry about that. Used to using Euro sizing on everything...

sold!

Bought a car from SC and all you will have to do is get a tag and slap it on the car to drive home. Doubtful they will issue you a temp tag as it will be registered in another state. However, with a dealership, the shop will set it up to get your registration complete for the state you will be in. You will get the title sent to you all Notorized and setup so you can go to the title office and get a title for your state. Then go to the DMV and get the registration complete... Easy. In Ohio, you have a few days or so to get the title transfered between cars. So, take the tag off your current car and put it on the new one and drive home. If you get pulled over, tell them you sold the car the plate is assigned to and just bought the one you are driving. You'll have proof of that and as far as the other car, they can't tell if it was sold or not...

The way i thought it worked was that the pixels will spread out more (layman terms...) where 1080 will be tighter per square inch... In other words, take an image off a website at 72 dpi. Enlarge it bigger and it becomes more pixelated... I'm probably wrong, but a TV guy told me that... I know bikes... Basically, it's all about pixels. i also know if you sit in a distance relative to the screen size, you will notice. If you have it on a far wall and are 15 feet away, sure - not easy to notice. But, my cable channels jump around in quality, but I get a lot of 1080 channels with TW. I also have a Blue Ray and you can tell... Here's a chart that explains my thought process... <LI itxtvisited="1">480p = 338,000 pixels / frame <LI itxtvisited="1">720p = 922,000 pixels / frame <LI itxtvisited="1">1080i = 1,037,000 pixels / frame 1080p = 2,074,000 pixels / frame If 720 and 1080 have no difference, why not just stick with 480? HD TV channels vs. the non HD channels is a world of difference on the same TV. When i watch a channel in 720 (according to the cablee box) and one in 1080, the detail is way different... Here's some more info: As shown above, both the 42" screen and 60" screen have the same number of pixels within their respective areas. In the case of the 60" screen, because its pixels occupy a larger area, naturally, the pixels themselves become larger, and as explained above, pixel perception can distract one away from the viewing content. Thus we can finally address the two primary needs for 1080p beyond our current HD resolution formats of 720p and 1080i. TV manufacturers who currently specialize in very large screen sizes -- 50", 60" on up -- feel that a higher resolution above current HD is necessary to ensure a quality viewing experience as their screen sizes become larger and larger. Figure 4 illustrates what would happen if they kept to the same resolution while making bigger TVs -- each individual pixel would get bigger as well, and more perceptible on screen. Higher 1080p resolutions also address a second, yet equally valid need, which is to present a quality picture while the person sits fairly close to the TV screen. Think of this scenario: if you own a 42" TV with 720p resolution, and sit 7 feet away from the TV, you'll see a detailed yet smooth picture because the pixels are small enough where you can't perceive them, thus allowing you to focus on your movie instead of your TV. In the case of Figure 4, however, now imagine looking at a 60" TV from 7 feet. Along with it being overwhelmingly large, you'll be able to pick out each and every pixel on screen. But, even at that same viewing distance, if you increased the resolution to 1080p, and thus made each pixel smaller, then the picture would look smoother and less blocky to your eyes.

50" with 720 is gonna suck, guys. Anything over 42" and not 1080 is going to look pretty lame... Spend the money and get a 46" with 1080 and you'll be mucho happier...

All this talk about chase... Don't they need to know how to RIDE a sportbike before they consider chasing? I've never seen them at any of our track days or schools... They should and I offer that if they want to learn, I can talk with Monte and get a deal for them. But, if I was a street rider and knew what I think a few of you guys who have been to the track know, I'd tuck and see what happened... Of course, that Motorola still works pretty damn good... Hence, the reason I don't ride street.

I went to Lowe's and got prebuilt stuff. Like Laundry room styled white stuff. Used the locking stays for cabinets to keep the drawers from opening while towing. I drilled locks out for the tall cabinet and the bottom cabinet that holds heavier stuff like an air tank... I then cut my own counter top to fit the shape I wanted and used horse mat for the top surface. Wrapped that with aluminum from Lowe's (angle styled stuff - 90 degree) and screwed it to the top of the bas cabinets. I think it turned out pretty good and a hell of a lot cheaper than buying the material and building it or buying the garage specific stuff that was twice as much...

TSC does sell the track. They sell it in 24" lengths. Perfect for what you are using it for. You can also go to a trailer place and get it, but it usually is army green or grey... TSC's stuff is a polished aluminum style. TSC also sells the hooks. DO NOT get the strap kind. Buy the solid steel circle style ones. Stronger and will not stretch like the mesh kind will...