Need lens advice: 80-200 with TC or 80-400VR?

[Atorie]

I'm having a dilema at the moment... I need a longer telephoto lens around 400mm for motorsport and i'm not sure what I should get.

I have the 80-200mm f/2.8 which I could add a 1.7x or 2x TC to make it a 136-340mm f/4.3 or 160-400mm f/4.8 which doesn't sound too bad... but should I get the 80-400 f/4.5-5.6 VR? I'm not sure of which will have the quicker AF speed, I assume it would be the 80-400vr?

If someone could help me with the pros and cons of each option it would be much appreciated... TIA

[MCWB]

Michael: this thread might help you out: it compares the 70-200 VR and 80-400 VR, but it should be roughly applicable.

[Atorie]

Thanks for that link, it helped a little but I should have stated that my 80-200 is the older one touch version not having tried a 70-200VR im not sure of the comparive AF speed between the two.

[MCWB]

The AF-S of the 70-200 VR is much faster; don't think there'll be much in it between the 80-200 2.8 and 80-400 VR: both are AF-D. I can't remember which TCs will fit the 80-200 1-touch, I know the new Nikkor ones won't... someone can probably tell you what will though.

[Atorie]

Thanks MCWB, I guess my budget could be bumped up to incorporate a 70-200VR and a TC.. if i got this i could sell my 80-200 one touch and my 70-300G... hrm... options...

BBJ or Redline if you're out there what do you guys use at the tracks?

EDIT: Grammatical error

[glamy]

Atorie,
I have the 70-200 + 1x.7 TC. I went to take pictures at an airshow a while back. I found myself missing shots when I had the TC on because of the proximity of the action and vice versa. I also quite a few blur ones at full length (Operator I guess...). It may be worth considering if you only have one camera.
Cheers,
Gerard

[MCWB]

Very true Gerard, I found the same thing shooting a soccer game with the 70-200 VR +/- TC17E-II, you alternate between 70-200 f/2.8 and 119-340 f/4.8, so if you want anything from 70-120 it's a bit of a pain; I guess the 80-400 is nicer in that respect. I must say, one of the things I like most about the 70-200 VR is that it's so sharp wide open, whereas you'd have to stop the 80-400 down somewhat to get a similar result.

Ideally you'd get both the 70-200 VR, TC17E-II and 80-400 VR...