Newsroom
Construction of the circuit well underway
Friday, 16 September 2005
Construction of the Lexmark Indy 300 circuit began last month, with a number of new facilities and additional safety measures to be in place for the October 20 to 23 Event on the Gold Coast.
The construction schedule includes: ten bridges will be erected, 2515 concrete barriers installed, 26 grandstands built, more than 140 corporate suites furnished, 10km of debris fencing and 16km of security fencing placed, many more temporary structures fitted, and large-scale power and telecommunications systems activated.
Lexmark Indy 300 Operations Manager David Bennett said the major focus of the circuit construction was its world-leading safety standards and limiting public disruption.
“The Lexmark Indy 300 street circuit is an international leader in motor racing safety standards, and one of the major advancements over the past few years has been an increase in double height debris fencing,” said Bennett.
“This year there will be an additional 610 panels of double height debris fencing strategically positioned around the circuit in high impact areas, a significant increase since 1994 when they were introduced to the Event.
“Our endeavours to increase the double height debris fencing have been applauded by CAMS (Confederation of Australian Motorsport) and the FIA (the international governing body of motorsport).”
Bennett said the construction of the Gold Coast circuit has been acclaimed internationally and is used as a benchmark for new temporary street circuits world-wide.
“It is a significant achievement to convert a thriving and bustling commercial and recreational district into a motor racing circuit, able to facilitate more than 300,000 people and high-speed motor racing action.
“This major undertaking involves cooperation and support from State Government, Gold Coast City Council, other State and Local Authorities, hundreds of contractors, residents and commuters.
“It is a very slick operation with minor disruptions to Gold Coast residents and commuters. Some disturbance is unavoidable but we are always striving to keep this to a minimum.”
This year spectators will benefit from a number of new facilities around the 4.47km street circuit:
• A new Super Screen opposite the Riverview Super Suites at the Lexmark Chicane (Turn 1) taking the number of Super Screens to six;
• Double-storey corporate hospitality facility at Turn 12 for up to 600 guests;
• Relocation of Silver Grandstand 36 to directly opposite the V8 Supercar pits. It has doubled in size to more than 1300 seats;
• New Disabled Platform located beachside at Narrowneck near the VB Chicane. New Disabled seating and ramp to the Bronze Grandstand 30 allowing reserved seating for the disabled. Both of these facilities are in addition to the Disabled Platform near the V8 Supercar pit entry;
• New Corporate facility at Turn 2.
Gold Coast based engineering company Weathered Howe has overseen the extensive building procedure since the first Event in 1991, annually reviewing, modifying and improving the plans to position the Lexmark Indy 300 as a world-leading circuit.
To facilitate the construction of the circuit, a traffic initiative introduced in 1999 is continuing this year to reduce traffic delays. Two traffic lanes will remain open on the Gold Coast Highway at all times with the speed limit on the southbound side reduced from 70km/h to 50km/h during the construction process.
KEY CONSTRUCTION FACTS
• The circuit is constructed of 2515 concrete blocks which all weigh four tonnes each. They are moved to the circuit six at a time on the back of semi-trailers and then moved into position by construction staff.
• The 4.47km circuit uses 10km of heavy-duty debris fencing, 16km of security fencing, and 10 temporary bridges.
• Approximately 100km of cabling is required and 6000 man hours of electrical reticulation.
• Approximately 13,000 grandstand seats are constructed on the circuit.
• In total there are approximately 420 temporary structures used for the Event. There are more than 140 corporate hospitality suites that can cater for groups of 10 to 280 people. More than 70 hard-wall portable buildings are used for team and administration needs. Approximately 190 temporary buildings are used for facilities including the event Media Centre, Medical sites, Merchandise Sales and Emergency Services.
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The construction schedule includes: ten bridges will be erected, 2515 concrete barriers installed, 26 grandstands built, more than 140 corporate suites furnished, 10km of debris fencing and 16km of security fencing placed, many more temporary structures fitted, and large-scale power and telecommunications systems activated.
Lexmark Indy 300 Operations Manager David Bennett said the major focus of the circuit construction was its world-leading safety standards and limiting public disruption.
“The Lexmark Indy 300 street circuit is an international leader in motor racing safety standards, and one of the major advancements over the past few years has been an increase in double height debris fencing,” said Bennett.
“This year there will be an additional 610 panels of double height debris fencing strategically positioned around the circuit in high impact areas, a significant increase since 1994 when they were introduced to the Event.
“Our endeavours to increase the double height debris fencing have been applauded by CAMS (Confederation of Australian Motorsport) and the FIA (the international governing body of motorsport).”
Bennett said the construction of the Gold Coast circuit has been acclaimed internationally and is used as a benchmark for new temporary street circuits world-wide.
“It is a significant achievement to convert a thriving and bustling commercial and recreational district into a motor racing circuit, able to facilitate more than 300,000 people and high-speed motor racing action.
“This major undertaking involves cooperation and support from State Government, Gold Coast City Council, other State and Local Authorities, hundreds of contractors, residents and commuters.
“It is a very slick operation with minor disruptions to Gold Coast residents and commuters. Some disturbance is unavoidable but we are always striving to keep this to a minimum.”
This year spectators will benefit from a number of new facilities around the 4.47km street circuit:
• A new Super Screen opposite the Riverview Super Suites at the Lexmark Chicane (Turn 1) taking the number of Super Screens to six;
• Double-storey corporate hospitality facility at Turn 12 for up to 600 guests;
• Relocation of Silver Grandstand 36 to directly opposite the V8 Supercar pits. It has doubled in size to more than 1300 seats;
• New Disabled Platform located beachside at Narrowneck near the VB Chicane. New Disabled seating and ramp to the Bronze Grandstand 30 allowing reserved seating for the disabled. Both of these facilities are in addition to the Disabled Platform near the V8 Supercar pit entry;
• New Corporate facility at Turn 2.
Gold Coast based engineering company Weathered Howe has overseen the extensive building procedure since the first Event in 1991, annually reviewing, modifying and improving the plans to position the Lexmark Indy 300 as a world-leading circuit.
To facilitate the construction of the circuit, a traffic initiative introduced in 1999 is continuing this year to reduce traffic delays. Two traffic lanes will remain open on the Gold Coast Highway at all times with the speed limit on the southbound side reduced from 70km/h to 50km/h during the construction process.
KEY CONSTRUCTION FACTS
• The circuit is constructed of 2515 concrete blocks which all weigh four tonnes each. They are moved to the circuit six at a time on the back of semi-trailers and then moved into position by construction staff.
• The 4.47km circuit uses 10km of heavy-duty debris fencing, 16km of security fencing, and 10 temporary bridges.
• Approximately 100km of cabling is required and 6000 man hours of electrical reticulation.
• Approximately 13,000 grandstand seats are constructed on the circuit.
• In total there are approximately 420 temporary structures used for the Event. There are more than 140 corporate hospitality suites that can cater for groups of 10 to 280 people. More than 70 hard-wall portable buildings are used for team and administration needs. Approximately 190 temporary buildings are used for facilities including the event Media Centre, Medical sites, Merchandise Sales and Emergency Services.
Back | Back to top
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