The event, in its fifth year; has taken place at the spectacular Sakira Circuit in the Gulf Kingdom of Bahrain has involved CT every year since the inaugural race in 2004. This year however saw the introduction of several new products from the CT inventory.
CT works alongside long-time partner Screen Visions, who are responsible for the overall project management, logistics and production of the circuits dedicated closed circuit TV channel 'Fan TV'. In previous years this required a fully equipped PPU (Portable Production Unit). This year CT streamlined the production with the introduction of the "Slate", a revolutionary PC-based production system which incorporates most of the facilities found in a small TV production studio, all within a single 5U package.
CT Dubai's general manager, Damien McGurn remarked: "Not only did the Slate massively reduce the freight and logistics requirements for the project, it also allowed a marked increase in the level of facilities available to the on-site production team."
The Bahrain Grand Prix was also the first commercial outing for CT's newly purchased Lighthouse R7 equipment. Three 50sq.m screens were shipped directly from factory acceptance tests to the circuit. The R7 equipment operated alongside a further three Mitsubishi OD10 and two Barco D7 screens.As a result of CT's recent investments in new technology the entire 300sq.m requirement for Bahrain was satisfied from the company's own inventory, guaranteeing quality and keeping costs and, therefore, margins under control.
Commenting on CT's first year in the Gulf Region, managing director Charlie Whittock commented: "Establishing a business in this region is much harder than many people imagine, however there is no doubt we have made the right move. The market is developing rapidly and we have been involved in numerous major events throughout the Emirates and in many of the neighbouring counties including Qatar, Oman, Saudi and, of course, Bahrain."
(Lee Baldock)
