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Star Events Group ‘Ramp it up’ with Red Bull
Star Events Group built the gigantic ramp that formed the starting grid for the ‘oddball’ collection of vehicles at this years’ Red Bull Soap Box Race.
Soap Box racing originated from attaching wheels to wooden crates that soap used to be delivered in. The first Red Bull Soap Box Race took place in Austria in 2000, and has since visited several countries including; Australia, Sweden, Belgium, Czech Republic, Finland, Ireland, Germany and the USA. This year’s event followed on the success of last year’s Red Bull Flugtag, which brought London to a standstill, with over 150,000 spectators joining the fun at Hyde Park.
Competitor’s vehicles were once again built with creative looks rather than mechanical ability in mind, so there were a fair share of thrills and spills for the 50,000 people who went to Knebworth to enjoy a day in the August sunshine. Winning vehicle, the ‘Volvet Underground’, featured a fur clad ‘vole driver’ and appeared to be made from foliage and soil!
To get competitors off to a good speed at the start of this year’s race, Star Events Group constructed a 12.5m high ramp, working to accurately create the dimensions from the drawings of the designer Brian Heritage. The 150 ton ramp took 10 km of scaffolding, 4km of timber and 500 sheets of plywood to build, delivered to the site by 7 artic lorries.
Louise Taylor, Red Bull’s freesports and events manager said: "Star Events Group were commissioned to build Brian Heritage's ambitious design, which was meticulously calculated to achieve the optimum terminal velocity, they delivered the complex structure to perfection. The carts were able to reach speeds of up to 35mph by the first bend! I was thrilled with the end product, the ramp was premium in its finish, very well structured and the branding which Star Events Group designed looked fantastic."
Competitors accessed the platform via staircases, whilst their vehicles were lifted onto the rear of the solid structure by hydraulic lifts, where they could ready themselves for their big moment on a 25m platform, behind the start line. Attached to the platform was a VerTech support, adorned by a giant Red Bull Logo, along with a giant LED screen (supplied by XL Video) and the Nexo line array pa. Once the start lights went on Murray Walker provided the commentary as the carts raced down the 45m ramp, which at its steepest point was at an angle of 32 degrees, the equivalent of 1 to 1.5. The ramp was dressed in flame resistant black cladding, supplied by Sunbaba Screens.
Star Events Group director Roger Barrett project managed the design and installation of the unique structure. “Red Bull once again created a very zany event and we were delighted to work with their team to create what was the focal point for most of the audience,” he said. “There were quite a number of health and safety issues we had to consider surrounding the structure, ensuring it was fully in compliance with the guidance published by the Institution of Structural Engineers (called 'Temporary Demountable Structures'). We also had to plan contingencies for the structure to withstand vehicle collisions and allow for rescue teams access to all areas should it be necessary. I’m delighted to say the whole day ran very smoothly, the ramp behaved as we expected and I’m looking forward to driving in my four-wheel drive again!”
http://www.stareventsgroup.com
In picture: competitors on the ramp at the Red Bull Soap Box race.
20th August 2004
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