Cover Feature
as Newham has been named as the
versatile and adaptable and it’s
worst location in the UK for air
incredibly exciting to be turning
“Ordinary exhibition
pollution, with seven in every 100
an events and exhibitions centre
hall floor surfacing
deaths of people aged 30 or over
into a world class racetrack.”
being attributed to air pollution,
ExCeL has had to increase the
doesn’t offer nearly
according to Public Health
size of one of its gates to 14m,
enough grip for
England.
to accommodate delivery of the
Formula E is more than just a
racetrack. The venue has to add a
these high-speed
race, it’s also a proving ground and
surface treatment to the floor in
cars, so a textured
platform with a higher purpose
the south halls, which will ensure
- to test new technologies, drive
grip and stability for the cars.
layer is being
development to the production line
Norman explains: “Ordinary
applied to 9,000
and put more electric cars on the
exhibition hall floor surfacing
road. It also dispels the myth that
doesn’t offer nearly enough grip
SQM of surface”
electric cars are boring.
for these high-speed cars, so a
Using the spectacle of sport, the
textured layer is being applied to
ABB FIA Formula E Championship
9,000 SQM of surface. We are also
is sending a powerful message to
having to drill 680 holes to secure
speed up the switch to electric vehicles, in a bid to counteract
new duct channel plates to the floor. Downforce from the cars
climate change and address the devastating effects of air
would rip the existing duct channel plates out of the ground,
pollution. Air pollution kills more people globally than
so these are being replaced and secured along the track way.
smoking, with the World Health Organisation estimating that
“Prep work is also being undertaken in the car park of the
eight million people die from air pollution each year.
Aloft hotel, at the eastern end of the venue, as turn 15 of the
Head of attractions at ExCeL, Damian Norman, said: “It
circuit will run through that part of the estate. In addition,
goes without saying that there are numerous challenges to
we’re having to widen some of the existing ramps and
staging a high-speed race in an events venue but ExCeL is
roadways around the venue to ensure the track will meet FIA
18 — February