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FORMULA E DIRIYAH E-PRIX 2021
SAUDI ARABIA HOSTS FORMULA E’S FIRST EVER NIGHT RACES IN THE HISTORIC SURROUNDINGS OF DIRIYAH.
The 2020/21 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship got underway on 26-27 February, with a doubleheader in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia. Returning to the UNESCO World Heritage site for the third season in a row, this year saw the first ever Formula E night races, with the latest low-power LED technology being utilised to create a spectacular show while reducing energy consumption by up to 50% compared to most non-LED technology.
Conducting the planning and organisation of the event once again was STAMiNA Productions, while the Ministry of Sports (MOS) appointed Blink Experience to handle the host city scope. Working closely with stakeholders Formula E (FE), MOS, Saudi Arabian Automobile and Motorcycle Federation (SAMF) and the promoter, CBX, the team was able to “achieve the impossible” and hold this world-class international event in the middle of a global pandemic.
Jennifer Gazeas, Head of Venue Design, Track and Overlay for the Diriyah E-Prix at STAMiNA Productions, explained how the team adapted to the ever-changing COVID-19 situation. “We shared a goal of holding the first ever night race for Formula E,” she began. “Holding the majority of meetings on Zoom, we all made it work and showed that with these tools, we can still plan together and show incredible resilience and professionalism.”
She added: “This project needed to be meticulously planned, defined, implemented and executed with the objective of delivering the greatest experience for the fans attending and watching on TV. There were over seven months of design work, including extensive civil works consultation with the local authorities for the track resurfacing programme, track lighting and planning a COVID-19 safe event.”
The Saudi-based agency brought onboard a number of trusted suppliers for the project, including ADI, Empro and MediaPro International. “The list of global and local suppliers that worked with us is extensive – each one brings their own individual experience and technical expertise which, when combined, allowed us to bring the impossible to fruition,” stated Gazeas.
“There are always last-minute changes, and it’s then when you need a family of suppliers to call upon who are proactive, fully committed and supportive. At STAMiNA, our suppliers and partners are as important as our personnel and if there is a need for support for any contractor to allow them to do their best, then we will always provide that support.”
As is to be expected on such a high-profile, international event, Formula E and the governing body of motorsport, the FIA, set strict controls to manage the risk of COVID-19. “It was up to us in partnership with the MOS, FE and SAMF to ensure that these controls were managed and exceeded,” Gazeas commented. To that end, the site adopted a ‘bubble’ approach. A number
of hygiene and health and safety measures were also in place, including temperature check and hand sanitising on entry, compulsory maskwearing and regular PCR testing.
With an ever-evolving COVID-19 situation and certain restrictions changing daily, STAMiNA had to ensure that the lines of communication between them and their ecosystem of delivery partners, contractors and suppliers were kept open. “Knowledge exchange is crucial right now,” Gazeas underlined. “All industries are trying to adapt to ‘the new normal’, so the need for conversation is greater than ever. With the help of our government, which offered fantastic leadership and support, we were able to host an event that applied all the logistical and health measures to the highest global standards.”
Aside from COVID-19 issues, the team also had some difficult weather to contend with, including flash floods and high winds. “There was not a lot we could do apart from ‘weathering the storm’, so to speak,” Gazeas recalled. “It caused some delays. However, we had a clear plan, a detailed build schedule and great suppliers with the ability to adapt safely.”
With all involved pulling together to ensure that the event would be a success, Gazeas was delighted with the team effort. “It was incredible to see Diriyah up in lights for the night race and to top it off with a tremendous fireworks display,” she concluded. “It was fantastic to see the positive conclusion of an event we collectively delivered against all odds, all while being able to support contractors and stakeholders enough to showcase the city and the country.”
‘A GREAT BOOST’ MediaPro International delivered a complete turnkey technical solution for the event, including audio, lighting, comms, TV screens, SFX, trussing and rigging. “We have a great relationship with STAMiNA and have delivered quite a few projects for them in the past,” explained MediaPro COO, Shaam Pudaruth. “MediaPro was the go-to company for them as we have the required inhouse equipment and manpower in the region to deliver this massive event.”
MediaPro Senior Project Manager, Sheldon Alphonso, detailed how his team prepared for the project, ahead of the one-month build on-site. “Around 30% of our kit was dispatched from Dubai, so we set up a prep and zone distribution team in our warehouse in Riyadh before it arrived,” he revealed. “As the kit arrived in Riyadh, it was sorted into the relevant zones and loaded onto trucks to be dropped off in the relevant areas of the site.”
Starting with audio, Alphonso talked TPMEA through the extensive supply. “We provided a complete audio system, including a redundant Dante network for the entire site with more than 13km of fibre cables supported by our inhouse network racks,” he began. The company’s complete range of L-Acoustics products were deployed for the event, including K1s, K2s, KARAs, 112Ps, 5XTs, X8s, X15s, KS28s and SB18s, as well as 20 LA RACK IIs. A total of 11 Yamaha QL1 and two CL5 consoles were used for control, while 15 network racks were deployed around the venue to manage the massive length of fibre cabling. “We also had 50 power speakers, which were used for various small areas, as well as a Shure Axient digital microphone system and various Pioneer CDJ-2000NXS2 players and DJM-900NXS2 mixers.” The MediaPro crew meanwhile kept in contact via a Clear-Com FreeSpeak system.
The lighting inventory included: 66 Pix Arc LED Battens, six Claypaky 1500 Spots, 16 Scenius Profiles, 33 Robe Spiider LED Washes, 18 BMFL Blades, 16 Film Gear 1Ks, 20 2Ks, 21 ETC Source 4 Profiles, two Avolites ART 2000 dimmers, 30 SGM P10s, 14 Q7s, as well as 26 LED parcans and 182 LED rigger floodlights. “Everything was controlled with two MA Lighting grandMA2 light consoles with NPUs, as well as four Avolites Pearl Tiger Touch II desks,” Alphonso noted. “These fixtures were used to provide solutions for all performance areas, the podium and press conference stages, as well as general lighting of grandstands, pedestrian bridges, entrance gates and branding areas around the track.”
MediaPro’s video supply comprised TV screens throughout the site, as well as control
and video network signal for the BOSS | EMOTION CLUB premium hospitality area, the media centre and various office spaces and control rooms.
The company deployed a range of Samsung LED TVs, including 68 Samsung 55in, two Samsung 75in and eight 80in. Content ran through a fibre network, with controllers including a Barco E2 Tri-combo Event Master Processor with an array of MacBook Pros.
In terms of trussing and rigging, Alphonso explained that around 550m of Litec 30cm by 30cm and 40cm by 40cm trussing were used, as well as eight CM one-tonne motors. “We provided support structures for our lighting, audio and also cable bridges for the site where crew had to run cables across roads,” he clarified.
Finally, MediaPro also provided SFX for the event, with four MagicFX CO2 Stadium Blasters, four Stadium Shots and 18 Showven Sparkulars adding to the visual appeal.
The project came at a busy time for MediaPro, with the team fresh from delivering the Dakar Rally podium and the Saudi Super Cup finale, as well as working on the Saudi Cup horse race simultaneously. “We have a fully operational team based in Riyadh,” Pudaruth noted. “It was a great boost to be able to work on this project given the current circumstances worldwide. Every job that takes place at the moment is a blessing and helps keep our crew busy. We’re extremely proud to have been part of delivering this international event successfully.”
‘A RANGE OF IMPRESSIVE SOLUTIONS’ The visual spectacle was improved even further thanks to some dazzling new LED technology from ADI. Despite the absence of spectators en masse, the small number of VIPs in attendance were treated to a range of creative LED content in several hospitality areas. ADI also deployed curated LED content throughout the circuit to activate commercial brand partners and add to the atmosphere for those watching on television.
Guests to the premium hospitality area, BOSS | EMOTION CLUB, were greeted by three 2.5m by 5.5m LED towers built into the welcome gantry, featuring super-sized Formula E drivers and models wearing HUGO BOSS clothing. As well as three 11.25 sq m 3mm indoor LED screens, the hospitality area boasted a super-wide 33.75 sq m display in 48:9 aspect ratio. With 4K processing and output, ADI’s Editors assisted in creating bespoke super-wide content, with the hospitality screen also supporting multiple picture-inpicture formats, including live race feed, social media, timings and brand messaging.
The BOSS | EMOTION CLUB Garden featured a high-resolution LED tunnel displaying an immersive desert landscape, complete with surround sound of swirling winds blowing across the sand, as well as a further three 11.25 sq m 4mm outdoor LED screens. While in the Aquafina Oasis, an outdoor shisha bar, ADI produced content including a continuous digital waterfall in order to bring two dual-sided 4m-high LED-clad towers to life.
In a scaled-up version of the concept that debuted in the Formula E Season 6 finale in Berlin, the podium doubled as a TV studio for the English-language programme throughout race days, with control of the side screen handed over to FE’s English language gallery for pre- and postrace analysis and interviews.
The impressive setup included a cinematic 32:9 backdrop for the podium ceremonies, with the addition of a 9m by 7.5m side screen. Both screens were fed via separate 4k vision mixing and processing, with ADI managing local
content and switching between feeds. Another eye-catching LED solution was deployed on the finish line gantry. Using bespoke software, the LED gantry automatically displayed the details of the first, second and third placed drivers as they passed under the gantry on each lap, before displaying the name of the winning driver and team as they took the chequered flag.
“As expected, the global pandemic provided its fair share of challenges in the planning stages, but the 2021 Diriyah E-Prix turned out to be a showcase for innovation across technical event production, creative LED applications and cuttingedge sports pres,” commented Thomas Taylor, ADI Account Manager for Formula E.
“Formula E supported ADI in exploring new concepts that would elevate the experience at the circuit and the engagement with remote audiences via global broadcast, and we have developed a range of impressive solutions that will continue to evolve during Season 7.”
‘WE HAVE TO RAISE THE BAR’ Working on the Diriyah E-Prix for the third year running, Blink Experience was appointed by the MOS to handle all host city aspects of the project, from event operations, to traffic management, security, infrastructure and logistics. “Our scope of work for this year was incredibly varied and included everything from security, to power, to hygiene and facilities management,” said Maher Andari, Managing Director, Blink Experience KSA.
Having grown from a small operation that was founded in Dubai back in 2003, Blink Experience currently employs more than 120 full-time staff, with key offices in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh and Jeddah. In addition to its full-time staff, the company also has access to an extensive network of specialists from all over the world, who are deployed on a freelance basis according to the specific needs of the event. “These are people who we have a long-term relationship with and trust to help deliver our events to the highest standard,” Andari revealed, adding that around 50 team members were engaged on this project.
While originally the event was due to be open to the public, changing COVID-19 protocols meant that it had to switch to being held behind closed doors. “These kinds of last-minute requests were completely understandable given the circumstances,” Andari reflected. “We had to adapt extremely quickly to the changing reality of the situation to ensure that we were on top of any changes and every eventuality was planned for.” The list of suppliers Blink Experience called upon to help fulfil the project includes: Al Fares International Tents (temporary event structure, fitout and furniture); Al Laith (scaffolding structure for premium hospitality); MediaPro International (tools and machinery rental for audio, video and lighting); MOTUS | ONE (traffic management); Derea Albelad S.S Est (security and safety services); and Aggreko KSA (primary and secondary power).
“We have developed strong relationships with a number of key suppliers, who we work with regularly to deliver events throughout the region,” Andari commented. “That said, for every project, we go through a thorough procurement process where we challenge suppliers to deliver the best proposal as well as the best commercial structure, which ultimately benefits our clients.”
Blink Experience engaged Aggreko to provide power for the event. “We received a list of areas that needed primary power and the size of equipment needed in each area,” explained John Devine, Aggreko PM on-site, who added that all generators were running on eco-friendly biodiesel. “Our job was to then install all the units up to the
main distribution panel, carry out a full inspection and test. We then installed and provided all the secondary power.”
To “get ahead of the game” the Aggreko team arrived on-site in mid-January. “We wanted to install all our products before the main bulk of companies came onto site,” he explained. “As we know from previous years, dropping 60 large units in such a short period of time is a challenge, so we arrived a little earlier to make life easier for ourselves.” Also, the team was aware that parts of the track would be inaccessible once the track surface had been laid, “so, getting our products in place before this was crucial,” he added.
COVID-19 measures notwithstanding, the biggest challenge of the project was the flash flooding during the build. “Some of the generators had to be uplifted and relocated from the areas that the flooding occurred,” he recalled. “This was a challenge as we were restricted on space within this area, but we achieved our goal in the end.”
Devine was especially pleased with the attitude of the team, who dealt admirably with the various COVID-19 restrictions throughout the process. “You never really understand how much of a hindrance it [COVID-19] is, with all the hurdles we had to jump over to do the simplest things,” he recalled. “This could have frustrated the guys, but they just got on with it and incorporated this into their daily workflow.”
For Blink Experience, the project was one of a number that it has completed recently for the MOS, including the Dakar Rally for the past two years, and the richest horse race in the world, the Saudi Cup. “All these projects show that we are trusted and how our relationship with the MOS has grown over the years,” commented Andari. “We are chosen because of our people, our knowledge and our experience.”
Andari explained how the extensive experience among the team brings with it increased expectations. “That fact that this is the third time that we have delivered the project means that expectations are extremely high,” he commented. “We need to show evidence of everything from the smooth delivery, to applying learnings from previous years and increasing cost efficiencies. We have to raise the bar even higher than in previous years and over-deliver when it comes to the expectations of the client.”
Unlike many in the industry, Blink Experience has remained relatively busy since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic – something which Andari believes stands the company in good stead for the future. “We have learned a lot from the experience about how to deal with both major and minor events in this ‘new normal’ we now find ourselves in,” he commented.
“We are a flexible company that has always adapted to overcome any obstacles that have been thrown in front of us. We’re very lucky and grateful that we’ve been given the opportunity to work throughout these extremely challenging times for the industry and we intend to take everything that we’ve learned to continue to create successful events for our clients.
“We are proud to have been a part of delivering the historic first-ever night races in Formula E,” Andari concluded. “We’re excited for next season and looking forward to the continued success of the event.” Photos: STAMiNA Productions / ADI www.adi.tv www.aggreko.com www.blinkexperience.com www.fiaformulae.com www.mediapro-av.com www.stamina.sa
