|
A new star attraction was unveiled
in the Subaru World Rally Team service area
in Rally Catalunya this weekend.
Letter from SWRT
31 March 2006
|
A new star attraction was unveiled in the Subaru World Rally Team at the PortAventura service area at Rally Catalunya this weekend. Something that quite literally put everything else in the shade.
At 18 metres long, nine metres wide and four metres tall at its highest point, the purpose-built SWRT team structure eclipsed the previous equipment used in the SWRT service park. The new aluminium and PVC structure has been specially designed to cover three cars and provide all-weather cover for technicians.
Subaru World Rally Team chief truckie, David Rudlin, sketched the initial designs in December 2005, with final shape and designs evolving over the following three weeks. From order to completion, the structure took just six weeks in total. Not bad for a structure with a total area of 648 metres3.
That's not the only impressive figure...
- At three and a half tonnes in total weight, a seven and a half tonne truck is needed to transport the parts to rallies
- Four arched struts support a PVC waterproof roof, with a further four struts connecting the front of the structure to the rear. The roof elements were slotted together on the ground and a forklift truck used to lift them into the air and connect them to the supporting legs
- The roof itself is held up by eight legs supported by eight concrete blocks weighing 160 kilos each. It took six men six hours to erect the entire structure, 36 man hours in total
- The unit's gantries have fully integrated electricity, air and water distribution systems and an independent generator is used to power the structure. The lines are integrated into the structure's eight legs. Overhead booms hang over the cars allowing the cars batteries to be charged without impeding the technicians working on the cars
- Countdown timing is built into the structure allowing the service crew to accurately monitor how long is remaining when servicing the Subaru Impreza World Rally Cars
- 72 halogen lights line the four roof struts to illuminate the working area underneath. A further two spotlights highlight the blue and yellow Subaru World Rally Team logo emblazoned on the frontal area facing the team's fans, illuminating the structure when daylight fades
|
 |
2006
2005
