Indoor racing photos - how can it be done well?

[F1END]

I really struggled recently at the Area51 race with a Canon 400D with a Sigma 18-200 lens. The lens goes to F3.5 at 18mm, which was OK (ish), but as soon as I zoom in to 200mm, the aperture shoots to F6.3, which is just too small. I'm a designer primarily, but know a bit about photography.

It's more about the lens than the Camera, although the top-end professional Canons (1D and 5D) have a much larger sensor, so allow more light in. A friend of mine who is a professional photographer did some testing with me with his 5D, swapping lenses and doing test shots in controlled lighting conditions. My 400D still did better with his professional lens than his 5D with my crappy lens, but his 5D was so much better with my lens than my camera was.

I'd like to know what the spec of that huge lens you were using at Area51 was Jimmy. I know you use a Nikon, but there's probably a similar spec for a Canon.

I'd love to see a specific article from you on indoor RC photography.

Also, I have sent you a PM about getting hold of your original photos for Area51.