A photographic guide to Three Sisters motor racing circuit
Photographic Guide to The Three Sisters Race Track
3 July 2020
Address:Three Sisters Circuit, Three Sisters Rd, Ashton-in-Makerfield, Wigan, WN4 8DD
Telephone:
01942 719030
Email:
info@threesisterscircuit.co.uk
Website: https://threesisterscircuit.co.uk
The Three Sisters race track is a relatively new circuit located in Lancashire, east of Manchester four miles from Wigan Town Centre with easy access to the M6 Motorway. Having been developed from industrial waste land in the early 1970s, Three Sisters gets its name from the three huge coal mining spoil heaps from the old Garswood Hall colliery that was located close by.
For years these blots on the landscape were known as the Wigan Alps but have now been developed into a nature park, visitors centre and the Three Sisters race track which we are going to look at in this article.
The track is quite small at 1473m in its longest configuration which means that the action comes thick and fast. However, as there are many, many configurations for this circuit we haven't put a detailed photographic guide together for you, so this report is more of an overview on what you can expect to see during your visit as a spectator photographer.
Three Sisters, like most tracks these days, can host a variety of two and four wheel Motorsport to maximise its appeal to the paying public. It was mainly a kart track but has been updated to include car and bike track days as well as motorcycle club level test days.
Drifting is a popular motorsport and is a regular event through out the season at Three Sisters. From the basic run what you brung drift sessions with local racers testing their cars, to the top of the range British Drift championship.
As you are never too far from the action the twisty track is great for capturing these dramatic drifting events.
Norasport ran one of their 2020 championship rounds at Three Sisters, the other tracks being Pembrey, Teesside and Cadwell.
This consists of both the Supermoto Bikes and Superlite’s space frame cars. Both are very entertaining to watch and can always guarantee some great action shots!
This jump shot was taken at Cowards Summit. This area is only really accessible with a media pass, you can get this shot but you will need a very long lens if you are spectating.
As the track is set out for karting it should come as no surprise that there multiple kart events held through out the year. Just about every top flight racer started out in karting, so if you are on the lookout for the next Hamilton you could well find them here.
With karting being mainly aimed at the younger racer, photographing children is a bit of a mine field you could well be asked to sign on, giving your personal contact details even if you don’t have media accreditation. This is to protect the kids, so don’t be surprised if you are approached, and if you are not sure ask.
There is no law against taking photos of children but there is Government Policy guidance. When photographing younger races I will always find out what the policy is for the event.
In addition to Racing Karts there are fun events where you arrive and drive one of the on site fleet of karts.
Rally Stages and Time trials are also run at the track. The Warrington and District Motor Club held the Questmead stages earlier this year before the Covid 19 lockdown. Our resident photographer covered this event and you can read all about it here. Questmead Rally Stages
The circuit also holds other events, such as Supercar driving experiences and track days for both cars and motorcycles. However, these will usually have a resident photographer so it's fine to go to these events to practice your motorsports photography, but be very mindful of what you are doing with the final image.
Even posting them on social media could be taking revenue away from a fellow photographer.
Media Access
Media access is the same as any other venue really, but other than Rally and Time trials you don’t really get a better view. As with all tracks the marshals are very strict on locations for filming and photography for your safety, so follow their guidance. The media map below will give you a flavour of the accredited photography view points but it is subject to change depending on the event.
The larger events like the BDC and Norasport have their own media and you would have to apply directly to those organisations to get your pass for the event.
Photographic Post Script
Spectating at Three Sisters is very good, with it being such a small track with great views from almost anywhere. All of the images in this guide were taken with a maximum focal length of 200mm, so no need for those expensive superzooms. However, you will need to crop into the image to fill the frame so if you have one take it along. Around the perimeter is a raised bank, so use this to get different angles to capture the action.
To keep you fuelled up there is a café, small bar and a selection of vending machines. Parking on site is permitted at extra cost (depending on the event). There are other car parks just outside the venue 2 minutes’ walk away, with some of the car parks being shared with the adjacent nature reserve.
Three Sisters might not host the headline events that Silverstone run, but you will find yourself close to the action without the thick safety fencing seen at some of the larger venues these days. Pick the right event and Three Sisters will be a great day out, and for the spectator photographer, you will be able to capture some great images for your portfolio.
As the Covid 19 lockdown eases, with our resident Three Sisters Photographer Leon Wall, we will revisit this guide with updated images and specific locations for you to try out. You can check back regularly for updates or follow us on Facebook to be informed of the latest automotive photographic reports, guides and articles.
I would like to thank Leon Wall Photography who supplied all of the images and was instrumental in putting this guide together.
You can contact Leon Wall Photography via his social media links, email or website.
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