Magazine

Professional Motorsport Circuit
Click here for free magazine subscription + media pack

Magazine

Professional Motorsport World
Click here for free magazine subscription + media pack

Professional Motorsport Circuit Owners, Investors and Suppliers Forum 2011

Day 1
Day 2

Day 1

Tuesday 15th November

09:20 - 10:40 - Session One: Cost-effective promotion and marketing
Conference Chair - Simon Vumbaca, international and European registered lawyer, UK

09:20 - How safety can be a marketing advantage

Simon Vumbaca, international and European registered lawyer, UK

Simon Vumbaca is an international lawyer covering three jurisdictions. He specialises in all motorsport legal aspects, including the legal work involved in track safety, purchasing, naming rights and design. Simon will link up how making your venue and not just your track as safe as possible for all parties helps you promote your track, attract more customers and make more money.

09:40 - Hospitality areas in motorsport: how circuits obtain a competitive advantage compared with team and promoter hospitality

Friedhelm Lange, senior sales manager, Sport + Markt, Germany

Hospitality is one of the meaningful sources of income in sport business and live entertainment. Whereas in regular sport arenas the revenue streams between venue owner, operator and tenant are clearly defined, the situation in motorsports appears much more complex. Motorsport teams and promoters, as well as the circuits, compete for hospitality clients. Even worse, in some cases the promoter prohibits any activity of the circuit. The presentation delivers market insights and recent economic figures. It provides ideas for how circuits can position and market their hospitality products and gain competitive advantage.

10:00 - Technology in your venue: how adding to the fan experience creates additional revenue

Thomas Wiedner, marketing and business development, Smartmachine Forschung & Entwicklung, Austria

New technology offers motorsport venue operators new ways of communicating the services they can provide to race fans. Now that almost all fans have a smartphone in their pocket, Thomas will explain how you can communicate with your fans, attract them to your circuit, make their experience better and easier, and communicate with them while they are at the circuit in order to drive revenue and profits.

10:20 - 10:40 Q&A

10:40 - 11:00 Break

11:00 - 12:40 - Session Two: Your fans want noise - but how much can you get away with?
Conference Chair - Dennis Carter, chief executive, BARC, UK

11:00 - Exact knowledge: controlling noise at motorsports circuits

Alexander Knobloch, engineer, BeSB GmbH Berlin, Germany

Circuits need to exercise innovative self-control, combined with sporting regulations. Professor Schaffert has been involved in a large number of licensing procedures for racing circuit projects worldwide, and BeSB has also developed noise measurement solutions specifically tailored for racing circuits. Professor Schaffert will outline what you need to know about noise at your circuit, how to obtain that information and how to use it effectively.

11:20 - Noise monitoring and video identification

Steinar Bohn, electronics engineer, Norsonic AS, Norway

Norsonic has long experience in supplying sound measurement solutions for racetracks. When the race is on and the noise monitor says it’s too noisy, you need to find which vehicle is to blame without stopping the whole race and static testing all the competitors. Steinar will explain how new pass-by noise monitors can quickly identify the source and provide race control with a video of the offending vehicle.

11:40 - Music of the Gods?

Dennis Carter, chief executive, BARC, UK

Dennis has been involved in motorsport for well over 35 years as a competitor, circuit operator, series organiser, event organiser and senior official. He is the chief executive of BARC, which has Croft Circuit as one of its venues. Dennis will give delegates some insights into the practical and legal challenges that motorsport circuits face.

12:00 - Higher performance means more noise! It ain't necessarily so

Joe Ellis, managing director, BTB Exhausts, UK

Most racers are convinced that you can’t reduce exhaust noise without affecting performance and spoiling their race. Joe Ellis of BTB Exhausts will present proof that exhaust noise can be reduced without affecting the power available to racers, by arming track operators with the facts to overcome the myths that racers cling to. It could mean more track time for racers and more income for tracks.

12:20 - 12:40 Q&A

12:40 - 14:00 Lunch

14:00 - 15:30 - Session Three: Higher safety, lower costs
Conference Chair - Robert Barnard, team leader, Motorsport Services International, USA

14:00 - Affordable catch-fence solutions

Jochen Braunwarth, head of business development international, Geobrugg AG, Switzerland

Why is it so expensive to have a good catch-fence and does it really have to be so expensive? In this presentation you will learn about the real costs of catch-fence installation, with a breakdown of the costs in foundation works, installation works and materials, and also how to reduce them using new smart technology and without compromising safety.

14:20 - Better and cheaper: latest fire extinguishing systems for your track

Markus Wagner, chief of staff, e-Unit MH Sport Promotion, Germany

E-Unit at Nürburgring is extinguishing fire with water mist. Its tests held with the FIA Institute for Motorsport Safety showed that the approach is at least as good as, if not better than, the best agents while being inexpensive, fast, friendly to the environment, non-toxic and safe for the breathing of drivers.

14:40 - How to have safe barriers, and save time, space and money

Rafael Galiana, chief executive, Tec Pro Barriers, France

Tec Pro Barriers come as tested by the FIA Institute for Safety, but Rafael Galiana will explain that safety isn’t the whole story for track operators, who also have to store, install and repair barriers. Some barriers are not only safe but have advantages that save you time and money.

15:00 - Reborn from the ashes: how Imola kept its historic features and has the latest safety standards

Jarno Zaffelli, CEO, Dromo, Italy

You need safety barriers, fences and run-offs. What type you need and where you need them shouldn't be guesswork, and just installing maximum protection everywhere is expensive and not always practical or even possible. Using Imola as an example of how to predict safety needs and work within historically defined spaces, Jarno Zaffelli will outline a system that allows tracks to predict the safety of track features before they have been built. It allows tracks to focus resources where they are needed and avoid wasting them or spreading them too thinly. Jarno will outline how you get higher safety, lower costs and the track you really want as well.

15:20 - 15:30 Q&A

15:30 - 15:50 Break

15:50 - 17:00 - Session Four: What about the bikes?
Conference Chair - Robert Barnard, team leader, Motorsport Services International, USA

15:50 - Two for the price of one

Friedrich Burgstaller, product manager and developing engineer, Alpina Security Systems, Austria

Many tracks are used by cars and bikes, and the differences in what’s needed from any barriers they hit is well rehearsed. But what is the solution for tracks that have to host bikes and cars and keep all their racers safe? Friedrich Burgstaller will outline development work on a barrier that will easily switch between catering for bikes and cars, providing maximum safety for all track users at minimum cost and effort.

16:10 - Keeping your two-wheel customers alive

Giovanni Berutti, CEO, SPM, Italy

Once the bike has crashed, the rider is just a human body travelling at high speed. Hitting a barrier designed to stop a car isn’t such a good idea. The same issue is faced in competitive skiing, where stopping a falling skier before they hit trees or go over the edge of a cliff needs to be done but without the impact of the fence killing the skier in the process. SPM makes fences for ski racing, and is now looking at how its experience with ski race fences can be applied to motorsport. If your track hosts bike racing or track days, this presentation will be a must.

16:30 - 17:00 Q&A

Day 2

Wednesday 16th November

09:10 - 09:40 - Showcase Presentation: PrimRing Russia
Conference Chair - Robert Barnard, team leader, Motorsport Services International, USA

Showcase Presentation: PrimRing Russia

Vitaly Verkeenko, president, Sumotori Machinery Group, Russia

The idea of the PrimRing project is to create a modern sports and technology complex for the teaching and training of teenagers and young people, to enable them to develop into Russia’s world-class racers of the future. There is also no doubt that the availability of tracks and other facilities will contribute to the safety of racing and help to build up the motorsport culture in the region. Vitaly Verkeenko, who heads up this exciting project, will describe the brand-new circuit due for completion in 2012.

09:40 - 11:10 - Session Five: Make the most of your assets and make more money
Conference Chair - Robert Barnard, team leader, Motorsport Services International, USA

09:40 - Minimising operational shutdown times during facility upgrades and development

Drew Macdonald, senior track designer, Populous, UK

Upgrading facilities is always necessary, but it can be a logistical nightmare. Many operating circuits have bookings and commitments months or up to a year in advance, which means upgrades and improvements must be well thought out and completed efficiently. To maximise development opportunities, the 100% in-house motorsport, masterplanning and event expertise at Populous ensures that all aspects are thought through to ensure minimum disruption to an operating circuit. Whenever considering the upgrade or development of circuit facilities it's always a good opportunity to review and improve the circuit so that all operational disruption occurs during the same period. The use of our in house simulation and visualisation systems means designs are tried and tested to reduce costly 'on the ground' abortive works.

10:00 - Sweat your circuit's assets

Dafydd Broom, senior design engineer, Apex Circuit Design, UK

Before you go spending money building new facilities or upgrading them, you need to consider if you are already using them to best effect. Apex’s Daffydd Broom will explain how you can get the most from what you already have.

10:20 - Show me the money

Ramzi Darghouth, senior design engineer, Apex Circuit Design, UK

Building on Dafydd Broom’s presentation, Darghouth looks at a related question of how you maximise the revenue you can generate from assets you may not have realised you had. Darghouth will show you how to find the money, to make more money.

10:40 - Circuit maintenance: initial capital cost vs. the cost of ongoing repairs

Olaf Bierfreund, associate civil engineer/head of motorsports, URS Scott Wilson, UK

With the cost of construction for motorsport venues easily reaching US$25 million and more, the pressure is on from the start to develop solutions that require a minimum of initial capital costs. Site selection, team and spectator access and proposed venue use have a major impact on likely out-turn costs. Track pavement, safety infrastructure and drainage works also have a significant impact on the overall construction budget. This presentation will look at whole-life costs, comparing initial capital costs with ongoing maintenance requirements. In addition, a number of strategies for preventative maintenance will be explored. The aim is to showcase sustainable solutions for your circuit, allowing you to tailor the design solution to your budget.

11:00 - 11:10 Q&A

11:10 - 11:30 Break

11:30 - 12:40 - Session Six: Resurfacing your track - getting it right for performance and longevity
Conference Chair - Robert Barnard, team leader, Motorsport Services International, USA

11:30 - Skimming the surface

Robert Lamsal, construction manager, Bickhardt Bau Aktiengesellschaft, Germany

Bickhardt Bau has its own test laboratory, a dedicated workforce, 30 years’ experience laying racetrack, and Hockenheimring, Bahrain, Shanghai and Porschezentrum and Sachsenring under its more recent belt. The company’s Robert Lamsal will take delegates through the dos and don’ts of racetrack surfacing.

11:50 - Marking out your track's potential

Richard Powell, director, Roadgrip, UK

Richard Powell will explain how giving your track surface some thought can make your circuit safer, and give you the opportunities to make money from branding opportunities.

12:10 - Why track surface quality pays dividends

Dr Rainer Hart, managing director, Hart Consult International, Germany

Making track assets pay is the current economic zeitgeist, and no asset is more important on a race circuit than the track itself. So although you need value for money and to avoid huge expense, there are some very good reasons why it pays not to cut too many corners when it comes to track surfacing and repair: preventing accidents and down time, providing a better spectacle, attracting more sponsors in the short term, lower maintenance costs in the medium term and track life in the long term. Dr Hart will bring his experience collected as head of an asphalt laboratory for 25 years and consultant for 31 racetrack projects all over the world.

12:30 - 12:40 Q&A

12:40 - 13:40 Lunch

13:40 - 14:40 - Session Seven: Working with your customers
Conference Chair - Robert Barnard, team leader, Motorsport Services International, USA

13:40 - The easy way to rent your track, secure your revenue and reduce your costs

Sebastian Herke, managing director, circuit-booking.com, Germany

circuit-booking.com is a new way for track operators to rent their available track space in real time and with the added advantage of secure payment and reduced administration costs. What’s better is that tracks only pay to use the system if they actually rent their track through the system, so it pays for itself with no upfront costs. Sebastian Herke MD of HTA Circuit Booking GmbH will explain how track operators can now take advantage of the same technology that has already revolutionised hotel bookings, but with the advantage of being designed specifically for motorsport tracks.

14:00 - Operating track days and racing schools

David Fuchs, CEO, Speer Racing GmbH, Germany

14:25 - 14:45 Q&A

14:45 - 15:05 Break

15:00 - 16:30 - Session Eight: Next-generation track management systems
Conference Chair - Robert Barnard, team leader, Motorsport Services International, USA

15:00 - Can circuits benefit financially from night-time racing and extending track rental time? New technology means track lighting is worth another look

Valerio Maioli, DZ Engineering/Valerio Maioli Technologies, Italy

In the past, lighting for tracks has been expensive to run and maintain, and limited by the fact that the glare has meant that it can't be used in wet conditions. But now – thanks to energy-saving technology, easier and cheaper maintenance, and developments that allow glare-free lighting even in the rain – it could be time to take another look at this option, which allows tracks to put on night races, increase the length of the track day for rental and increase facility revenue.

15:20 - The electronic marshal: reliable and alert at all times!

Frode Steen, marketing manager, Tracksa, Norway

Race control lighting and software empower a race director to be everywhere and to react to any situation within a fraction of a second, without exposing himself or his team to the dangers involved in motorsport. Frode will outline the latest technology in light marshalling systems, which employ wireless radio communications to interact with uniquely designed, high-visibility lights that are located throughout the track.

15:40 - How to use CCTV to manage your track and your races

Eli Williams, sales director Western Europe, Tyco Security Products, Germany

CCTV increases the visibility of the race for the Race Control and it can monitor the safety of racers. Will Burr will explain how HD CCTV can give you better control of your track and your race and provide a real-life case study of what benefits it can provide.

16:00 - Next-generation timing and scoring technologies

Dennis Marcus, Business Development, MYLAPS Sports Timing, Netherlands

MYLAPS (AMB) provides transponder-based automatic timing and scoring systems to professional racing series and club racing organizations around the world. However, the transponders installed in almost any race car can be used for much more than just timing and scoring. With the next-generation MYLAPS technology it will be possible to detect and show the position and speed of cars and bikes, and to communicate with the racers as they go around the racetrack. This system is designed to be interfaced with other electronic systems such as CCTV and marshal lights. Marcus will explain how racetracks can benefit from modern electronic systems by offering a safer and more exciting experience for their customers.

16:20 - 16:30 Q&A

RELATED EVENTS

Awards 2011

Expo Venue for 2011