F1 Drive by Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

F1 Drive by Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is a premium karting experience engineered with the latest F1 (Formula One) technology. The attraction recreates all the excitement and features of an outdoor race event in an indoor space below the stadium of Premier League football club, Tottenham Hotspur FC. In addition to three race track configurations, this technically advanced experience includes audiovisual installations throughout the premium karting experience is described in detail in the Visuals section.

Audio plays a key role in creating the fully immersive experience at F1® Drive. Electrosonic designed, engineered, built and integrated the content delivery system, audio processing and control systems to deliver the high-quality audio for this ambitious project.

Visitors approach the karting area through a tunnel where audio helps to create anticipation. After entering their details into the race system, they enter a Briefing Room where audio of driver call-up messages helps to build excitement.

Audio is fully integrated with all the essential elements and excitement of a major outdoor Formula 1 event, such as starting lights, sound cues, real-time race data, instant lap times and video playback. Trackside audio provide race information and commentary for drivers and spectators.

The technically advanced F1 Drive experience includes audiovisual installations throughout. Electrosonic designed, engineered, built and integrated the content delivery system, audio processing and control systems for the AV installations that add information, entertainment and excitement throughout the F1® Drive experience.

At the arrival desk, large monitors display advertising content. ‘Drivers’ next encounter monitors displaying race information and videos of the karting experience. They then enter a Briefing Room where race start lights and audio of driver call-up messages help to build excitement, while a video provides race guidance and rules.

Drivers next explore a Garage Zone. LED tickers provide race and car allocation information in addition to technical information about kart construction. While they wait, drivers can take the Pitstop Challenge, with results displayed on LCD monitors. Drivers can also assess their skills on a series of F1® simulators utilizing ultra-high-definition monitors or view the Race Control Desk where a large LED screen displays video feeds from race-track cameras.

Drivers then wait in Pit Lanes where ultra-high-definition monitors display final instructions and ongoing race data. Drivers have a choice of track layouts – junior, adult and a combined larger sprint track which can be used as a training venue for future professional drivers as part of the F1® Karting Academy. The tracks incorporate all the essential elements and excitement of a major outdoor Formula 1 event, such as starting lights, sound cues, real-time race data, instant lap times and video playback.

Multiple cameras around the track record race data while trackside audio and ultra-high-definition displays provide race information and commentary for drivers and spectators. Spectators can watch the races on a Pit Bench in the Food and Beverage area where LED tickers show live track feeds and race data. Finally, drivers complete their experience.

Control system
Electrosonic created and installed a control system to manage the audiovisual and race systems. The solution integrates existing stadium IT systems as well as data inputs from the tracks, creating a seamless control infrastructure that is reliable and easy to operate.

The Show Control system enables centralized management of race data, briefing, winners’ podium and other areas. It can sequence and control experiential effects, such as starting lights, sound cues, video playback and safety features, amplifying the excitement of the race and creating a memorable experience.

The system can also amalgamate real-time data from multiple sources, enabling analysis of lap times, average speeds, and other metrics. This information can be shared real-time, on displays around the track and with drivers for the post-race winner’s podium.

De-rigging and re-rigging
The F1® Drive experience is designed as a semi-permanent venue in a space under the main stadium. Four or five times a year, the entire installation has to be de-rigged and later re-rigged so that the space can be used to store the football pitch when other events, such as concerts, that might damage the pitch take place.

Electrosonic takes responsibility for the entire process, using knowledge of the system and extensive installation skills to ensure the process is quick and efficient.

One of the major challenges was to create an infrastructure and control system to support the audiovisual installations.

The control system design had to take account of a partially built audiovisual design, utilizing the same technology already in use within the stadium. The control system design also had to integrate a new system to broadcast lap times around the stadium, which required careful coordination and adaptation to ensure seamless operation.

After identifying the functional requirements, Electrosonic created a control system that would realize the design vision. To control the audiovisual and race systems, Electrosonic developed a robust digital infrastructure with Smart Monkey’s ISAAC® show control system at its heart to integrate existing stadium IT systems as well as data inputs from the tracks. This creates a seamless control infrastructure that is reliable and easy to operate.

Electrosonic’s design for the show control system provides a single seamless infrastructure that enables the F1® Drive team to incorporate all the essential elements and excitement of a major outdoor Formula 1 event, such as starting lights, sound cues, real-time race data, instant lap times and video playback as well as race simulators and a winner’s podium.
The logistical challenge was to de-rig and re-rig the entire installation several times a year. De-rigging an installation that includes race tracks, starting lights, audio systems, driver briefing room, race simulators, winner’s podium, race photo booth, large audiovisual displays, food, beverage and retail outlets is a large, complex, time-consuming process. The various elements are connected to power supplies and control systems, so that de-rigging requires an understanding of the infrastructure and the skills to complete the work carefully.

The elements are stored in transit cases for safe handling and removal from the site. The work must be completed quickly with minimal disruption to other stadium activities. Re-rigging is equally complex. The components must be re-assembled accurately and carefully integrated with the infrastructure. After re-rigging, the entire system must be tested to ensure that all the elements work correctly.

Electrosonics’s teams have the knowledge of the installation and the skills to handle de-rigging and re-rigging quickly and efficiently.

Electrosonic’s infrastructure and show control system design, installation and integration for the F1® Drive Experience at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium provides the foundation for one of the most exciting visitor attractions in London.

The F1® Drive Experience is a unique fusion of two premium brands and the first example in the world of an immersive racing experience in a soccer stadium. The experience is helping to boost revenue and strengthening both Tottenham Hotspur and Formula 1 brands.
Experiential technology forms an integral element of the F1® Drive Experience, integrating physical race-track and digital elements with storytelling to create an experience that reflects the premium quality associated with both brands.

Electrosonic’s infrastructure and show control system design enables the Formula One team to recreate all the excitement and features of an outdoor race event in an indoor venue, incorporating elements such as starting lights, sound cues, real-time race data, instant lap times and video playback as well as race simulators and a winner’s podium.

The innovative show control system provides a single seamless infrastructure that also integrates with the existing stadium network, making the most of existing investment and ensuring a seamless solution for the entire venue.

Electrosonic’s ability to de-rig and rebuild the entire F1® Drive installation quickly and efficiently gives the stadium operators the flexibility to use the space for both go-karting and pitch storage, maximizing the use of a surplus space.

Electronic supported the project partners throughout the design process, providing essential technical advice that enabled the designers to bring the vision to life. The experience has added a valuable non-football venture to the stadium’s portfolio of revenue-generating events and helps to attract a new, more diverse generation of visitors.