2013 Lucas Oil World Finals - pics here

**Wheeler** · 11-01-2013, 03:14 PM

Great Pix Vic!

Wendi · 11-05-2013, 11:49 AM

Originally Posted by Hotboat

Good question. At Havasu, photographers could get quote a bit closer to the action. Haven't checked out the rest of the deal. Will report back later.

You never left your post.

**dragboatgirl** · 11-12-2013, 11:00 AM

Great photos from the weekend at Finals in Chandler. Was great to be there.

Wendi · 11-05-2013, 11:26 AM

Originally Posted by Carbon

Vic, how do you guys like this venue compared to Havasu?

They both have their pros and cons.

Havasu: Pros: The beaches were lined up all the way down the track with spectators. Spectators could rent cabanas. The motorhomes were front row as well. Great viewing location. I like Havasu becuase you can drive your off road vehicle/golf cart to the store if needed. Entertainment is much closer in Havasu for after the races.
Cons: No bleachers, the pits were too spread out, the vendor area was segregated
.
Chandler: Pros: Had bleachers for the spectators. The motorhome set up was nice/Pits were closer together. The hotel was close and very nice.
Cons: The vendor area was behind the bleachers, but didn't seem to get much traffic this year.

**HB Vic** · 11-05-2013, 11:52 AM

Originally Posted by Carbon

Vic, how do you guys like this venue compared to Havasu?

Sorry I just remembered your note when Wendi bumped it up.

I'll give you a hack photographers perspective first:

I loved both of them. Each was a little different in their own way. Havasu was much closer to the action, almost too close if that's possible. If I had my way, I'd be 10' away from the action all the time. Firebird was more convenient. I got my set up all done and was able to leave it there. I was 20' away from our motorhome, so it was much easier to stand out there all day. Havasu was closer, but it was a little walk. The only real downside to Havasu was shooting in to the sun. Toward the afternoon it was almost a waste of time to shoot unless you were doing silhouettes. Firebird was perfect almost all day long. Loved it.

From a spectators perspective:

I didn't get a chance to hang out in the stands at Firebird. The stands were much closer to the finish line, so the boats were topping out by then. So it had to be a great spot to view the races. And it was shaded. The start was also a great spot to watch. Looked nice and grassy and safe. Toss up at either venue of you ask me.

Bottom line, I'd attend either event again and twice on Sunday

Wendi · 11-05-2013, 11:58 AM

Originally Posted by Hotboat

Sorry I just remembered your note when Wendi bumped it up.

I'll give you a hack photographers perspective first:

I loved both of them. Each was a little different in their own way. Havasu was much closer to the action, almost too close if that's possible. If I had my way, I'd be 10' away from the action all the time. Firebird was more convenient. I got my set up all done and was able to leave it there. I was 20' away from our motorhome, so it was much easier to stand out there all day. Havasu was closer, but it was a little walk. The only real downside to Havasu was shooting in to the sun. Toward the afternoon it was almost a waste of time to shoot unless you were doing silhouettes. Firebird was perfect almost all day long. Loved it.

From a spectators perspective:

I didn't get a chance to hang out in the stands at Firebird. The stands were much closer to the finish line, so the boats were topping out by then. So it had to be a great spot to view the races. And it was shaded. The start was also a great spot to watch. Looked nice and grassy and safe. Toss up at either venue of you ask me.

Bottom line, I'd attend either event again and twice on Sunday

I'm sure the closeness that you mention above in Havasu will never be that way again. So we were all very fortunate to have attended that race and be that close to the action. Your body certainly rumbled 10 fold when the TFH took off.