Temporary structures specialist Neptunus has supplied Korean car manufacturer Hyundai with a VIP hospitality area for the World Rally Championship (WRC) during the Monte Carlo leg of the tour, with a view to use this on all ten European rounds this season.
Organised by the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile), the WRC is one of the most challenging championships in the world, which pits drivers and production-based cars against some of the toughest and most varied conditions on the planet. This year, the roads on this epic motorsport adventure are spread across 15 countries, with 13 rallies on everything from snow packed forest tracks to rock-strewn mountain passes, culminating with a champion driver and manufacturer.
Neptunus was commissioned by Hyundai to install over 900 sq m of arguably the biggest hospitality area ever seen in the WRC at the Gap service area, for guests, sponsors and media representatives to enjoy the contest in comfort and style. The building was also used as an engineering office and housed two service bays that allowed rally fans to watch Hyundai’s i20 WRC cars being serviced undercover.
Neptunus’ research and development team collaborated with Hyundai’s Spanish partner AMG and designed a new structure, the Evolution IV, specifically for the WRC.
In only five days a team of Neptunus experts installed an imposing glass-fronted Evolution IV structure, offering insulation qualities normally associated with a permanent building. A mezzanine floor was added to provide panoramic views of the course for spectators.
The Evolution IV is based on a highly technical design with sandwiched insulated wall panels and thermal roof equipped with air chambers, which limits any emissions and ensures constant temperatures are maintained. Other innovations include huge glass panels 2.2m x 2.5m to maximise views and fewer support legs to the mezzanine providing unhindered access for the vehicles on the ground floor.
Alain Penasse, Hyundai Motorsport team manager, said: “This structure brings the spectators into our hospitality area and closer to the action. When the cars are in service, we open our doors and make our work accessible to everyone.”
April Trasler, Neptunus’ managing director, commented: “At Neptunus we invest heavily in research and development and are constantly driving improvement forward. If one of our current products does not quite meet the needs of our customers, we develop one that can.”
“We work closely with customers to understand their specific needs and can rise to any challenge. There wasn’t a simple solution for Hyundai as they needed a bespoke hospitality venue to include two service bays. The Evolution IV has proved to be the perfect solution for Hyundai.”