(09-05-2015, 08:33 AM)sidewaysid Wrote: Hi

How do you go about obtaining a media pass so that you can take photographs

Applications for this year's TT closed on May 1st but for future reference you need a letter of accreditation from a recognised media outlet (generally speaking personal websites or freely distributed papers aren't acceptable), signed by the editor or sports editor.  You will also need to provide evidence that you have public liability insurance covering at least £2 million (MSV tracks and Donington require £5 million).

To apply you need to go to the 'media' section on iomtt.com where you will find an online form to fill in.

If you don't currently do any media work then your best bet is to speak to the sports editor of your local paper to see if they will support your accreditation but they will not be interested if there are no riders from the paper's catchment area in the event.  Also, photos alone will be of no use to them - they will want an accompanying report, so bear in mind that both the quality of your photography and your writing will need to be good enough for publication.  Do not expect to get paid - to paraphrase an old adage, the best way to make a small fortune out of motorsport photography is to start out with a large one!

If the paper already has someone covering the sport then please respect their existing arrangement (I cover Gloucestershire, so hands off! ).  If you get as far as being accredited, it would also be good karma if you covered other events throughout the season to help you build a working relationship with the paper and the riders.

If you can fulfil all of the above then it might be worth contacting Simon Crellin, the press officer, in case he can consider late applications.  His e-mail address can be found on the application page on tt.com.