Japanese Grand Prix

Until Malaysia joined the calendar in 1999, Japan was the only Asian nation to host a Formula One race and I love shooting this event.

Spectators also get a great deal with the cheapest 3-day general admittance ticket all year which actually gets you access to a couple of grand stands. But perhaps it’s the fans that stand out most to me. They are immensely polite and if you can make the Thursday pit lane walk, you’ll love the colourful outfits and signs on display.

The ferris wheel offers a great view of the track and runs all day. There is also a go-kart track near an entrance that I took my kids on many years ago.

The drawback for me with this race though is the accommodation. There are no 4 or 5 star properties in the small town and the rooms that are on offer are normally tiny AND in many cases, smell strongly of cigarettes.

You can stay in Nagoya where there are larger western style hotels but if you drive, expect to spend at least an hour on the freeway each way and have to shell out plenty on tolls. The train is a quicker and much cheaper option. Most of the drivers stay at the hotel at the track but it’s impossible to secure a room there as the teams have first option.

One of the best spots to sit is at turns 16 and 17 where the cars break heavily for the right hander having taken R130 at full tilt. I often shoot from the inside of this section of track where the ferris wheel features strongly in the background.