The Weekend Is All About The Pits

Photography by Rémi Dargegen, Peter Aylward, & Jayson Fong

We read a lot about cars, and when reviewing historical racing books we often sink into photos of how the pits used to look. Far more casual, with—depending on the era—a number of dangerous-looking details, the pit lane used to be a place you could hang out during a race.

How things have changed.

Today, the pits are a feature of global TV coverage, and mechanics are celebrated for how quickly they’re able to do their jobs. The large sunglasses-wearing, fur coat-sporting VIPs? Shuffled off, in the case of Formula 1, into their very own club. Big business.

Even more casual racing leagues today, from Formula Ford to stock cars resemble modern-day F1, and not the grassroots motorsports that racers like Jim Clark and Alberto Ascari experienced. Put another way, your local open track day is probably organized to a higher standard than the final Targa Florio in 1977.

But whether from the heyday of motorsport or an event to be held this weekend, the pit lane is the living, breathing core of a race track. Let these images of more modern vintage race weekends inspire you to pay closer attention to what happens in the pit lane this weekend, and if you have a camera, spend a bit more time seeing what you’re able to capture—you may be delighted with the results.