Brands Indy (Champ Car) May 03

[imagin8or]

Ok, here's the thing. I'm going to the Champ Car race at the beginning of May on the Brands Hatch Indy circuit. I know I'm unlikely to get decent race shots from the seats, thanks to lack of technique (this is my second ever race...), lack of a decent position, probably fences in the way, amateur zoom -> small apertures, Brands being here in the not-too-sunny UK, etc.

Anyway, the better shots I got last time were in and around the paddock, with the drivers wandering around, race cars being worked on, and the occasional celebrity. So I'm thinking of upgrading from my current Minolta Dynax 5000i to a brand spanking Dynax 5, in particular for things like the 3fps drive, bracketing, DOF preview etc.

What I'm wondering is, is anyone else here going, and any tips from anyone on shooting in the paddock, in particular at Brands? Any classic shots I can go for? These are entirely for personal pleasure, BTW, not to sell. Last time my motorsport mad friend managed to talk to a few famous people - commentators, etc - and I shot a few candids of them talking; any tips on that? I never know when to get a tight 'two heads' shot or a wider contextual one. Except of course when the scenery is bland!

So basically, any tips, any experiences, and anyone else going?