Shooting from the stands

Of course, we all want that full-access photo pass that allows us to get anywhere around the circuit we want.  Sometimes, if we're lucky, we can score such a pass, but most of the time, we're there with the rest of the fans in the stands.  That still doesn't prevent us from wanting to get great photos, nor should it mean that we can't get those great photos.  It does mean that we have to alter our approach and the type of shots we get.  

Obviously, we're not going to be able to get that tight in shot of the driver's visor as they're coming through Turn 4 at IMS from our 14" of space in Stand J, but what can we get? What methods do you use to get good shots from the stands and fan areas?  

When I can't get close in, I try for more environmental type of shots. Wide-angle shots that show the crowd as much as it does the track.  Here's shot of the prerace that I took from the stands at Texas.

Of course, the longer the glass, the better, but as always, the best zoom device are your two feet.  The closer you can get to the fence the better, and better yet if you can find a gap in the fence somewhere or you can get up high enough to see over the fence.  This is what I do at Indianapolis during qualifying and on Carb Day.  The stands above the Paddock suites are open to the public for these days, and they offer a clean and unobstructed view of the Yard of Bricks.

As we approach the Month of May, where are your favourite places to shoot from at IMS?  What techniques do you employ to compensate for the distance to the track and the catch fence?