Got my new flash in the post on Thursday morning, so after my race run today I went up the track a little and got to work!
Quite liked these four.

1.

2. 


3. Gareth Brewin. Good kit choice!
 

4.

C+C if you will.
Cheers!

I agree with the flash being hot, especially on the last 2.

Riders shouldn't really be distracted flash to be honest wherever you place them. They've got to get used to it if they're to be any good!

This isnt the Nationals though, this is a regional level event.. photographers are there to document proceedings, not distract riders who have paid ££ to get down to the event, enter and then drive all the way back.

I know of at least one bloke this weekend who crashed after a photographer stuck a flash in his face and he couldnt see where he was going. It's irresponsible and stupid, there are plenty of ways of getting the shot without directly pointing flash to the eyes.

Obviously this doesnt apply to WC events and to some extent nationals as riders will naturally be more used to it.. but I still try to avoid it even at WC level.

Wow... I'm rider in pciture number 2. could you send it to Dj10dj100@Aol.com please..

btw i can remember your flash on the track it was nowhere near as bad as some in the past! no probs tho!

These photos are side lit, which is about the least distracting way to fire a flash at someone. They're a bit hot in general, but the second is spot on, and metered very well to keep the background nice and visible. Maybe try and slow down the shutter speed to get a bit more motion in the wheels?

With regard to the flash argument...

The problems with flashes arise usually from idiots who have no knowledge of the sport, but a lot of expensive kit to play with - it's becoming more and more commonplace with DSLRs dropping in price, everyone and their gran has one now by the looks of things. You don't ever encroach the track with kit, not even leaning out, as lenses f**k up your depth perception (objects are closer than they appear, especially when you're going wide angle!); if a rider hits you (or you blast them in the eyes with a flash at head height, aimed at their face), they crash, and you're to blame, you will be in serious trouble - there's also no point, as you can get as close as you need and stay outside the tapes.

That said... if you don't want to risk getting zapped from time to time, then don't race. I'm sorry, but racing is racing, and you have to accept that the price of having the great level of creative photography that this sport attracts is that now and again, you'll get a little bit dazzled by a flash. Magazines, websites etc. won't run race reports with no photos, as nobody likes to just read about bike races! I've covered a lot of races now, and I always think about where my flashes are going to hit the rider when I set them up (it's as much for the benefit of my photos as it is for them!), and would say the guys that are taking the best photos are not the ones you have to worry about (they'll have been doing it for ages), it's the folk who lack any experience of the sport. We're also lucky to have such an accessible sport, photographically, where everyone can get the same access as the pro photographers do from the side of the track, right up to World Champs level.

The most annoying thing, however, is when you get parents or spectators telling you off for where you're putting a flash... which of us is likely to have more knowledge and experience of flash placement on a DH course? That and people claiming your flash made them fall off, when the photo of them shows that they're already heading towards the dirt as the shutter was released!