USA - Charlotte Motor Speedway in North Carolina, affectionately known as America’s Home for Racing, has received a major upgrade – one that ensures every fan has a front row experience no matter where they sit. GoVision has delivered a massive, high definition digiLED LED screen.
For over 60 years, Charlotte Motor Speedway has set the standard for motorsports entertainment. Its new mega-screen measures a 15,500sq ft and boasts over 5.5m pixels. This custom built 16mm digiLED Vision Ultra LED screen brings brightness, clarity and colour accuracy to NASCAR fans. The installation marks the latest in a series of high-profile Motor Speedway installations by GoVision, using digiLED’s LED technology.
The new LED screen weighs in at over 47.6 ton and is supported by six 30ft-high steel pillars, each one weighing 18,500 pounds (8400kg) with a total steel weight of over 111,000 pounds and it casts a shadow that can be seen from space. GoVision was able to reuse the original steel structure, thanks to the custom built digiLED Vision Ultra, saving it from being ripped out and disposed of.
The steel support structure is a significant part of the total cost of any large outdoor screen installation and the environmental impact of the steel industry is considerable, so any opportunity to recycle these structures is seen as a huge positive. On average 1.83 tons of CO2 is emitted for every ton of steel produced, which amounts to 7% of the world’s total carbon dioxide emissions each year. Tom Mudd, head of technical at digiLED, understands the environmental pressures of huge LED screens and is passionate about implementing the company’s ethos of providing breath taking, yet cost-effective and environmentally conscious results.
“Fifteen years ago, the cost and impact of steel was a tiny consideration, now steel is a major part of any project’s budget, especially one as large as Charlotte Motor Speedway,” says Mudd. “By repurposing the original steel framework, the project avoided unnecessary waste and supported eco-friendly practices, which was a key priority for all involved.”
Environmental conditions were also an important consideration. Charlotte Motor Speedway enjoys a mostly sunny, humid, sub-tropical climate, but there is often the threat of hurricanes and tornados to contend with. These conditions can shorten a screen’s lifetime, so a resilient internal structure is important. To counteract the effects of the weather, digiLED Vision Ultra screens are aluminium backed, increasing strength, but also delivering greater thermal management, meaning less maintenance than fan cooled screens and a stronger panel that can cope with anything the North Carolina weather can throw at it.
“Charlotte Motor Speedway hosts two huge NASCAR events with only a small window of time between them, meaning there was a tight turnaround of just 100 days from request to delivery,” Mudd recalls. “Thanks to the cleverly designed LED panels, they slotted together seamlessly and with ease, making the installation as simple as possible for the GoVision team on site. digiLED and GoVision were able to design, produce and construct the new screen well within the tight timeframe.”
“We are incredibly proud of this installation,” says GoVision founder Chris Curtis. “This screen, supplied by digiLED, doesn’t just set new standards for size, but also for clarity and brightness, ensuring that every fan has the best seat in the house. Whether it’s the thrill of a race or the excitement of a live concert, this LED board will enhance our fan experience like never before.”
