Litestructures immediately established a working relationship with the professional and ambitious young team, and once the drawings were signed off in February, Litestructures started work on the build with impressive results: the main structure is built from two-tier aluminium trussing in LitePro 290/390 with a brushed finish crowned by a twin-tier soft roof system. Designed to host press conferences, receptions, and to provide a private retreat for VIP guests, the motorhome can accommodate between 60-100 guests depending upon the internal seating configuration.
The exterior is clad with a composited aluminium panel system offering an suitable surface for Virgin Racing's black, red and chrome branding. The interior had to match the aesthetic appeal of the exterior and so Litestructures utilised their newly-designed UltraLiteDeck modular lightweight staging system to create a modular aluminium floor over two levels linked by a complete custom staircase, including handrails, with an applied wood finish to the treads.
When Richard Branson made his first visit to the Virgin Racing motorhome he was impressed with the results: "Nice motorhome," he declared suddenly halfway through a press conference with the team. "You didn't make two, did you? I wouldn't mind living in here! I could put a bed over here and the television would be good there."
The motorhome was delivered at the beginning of May, in readiness for the start of the European Grand Prix calendar for 2010. Litestructures staff were on hand to support the first two events, including the back-to-back fixture between the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona and the Monaco Grand Prix just one week later, and the structure will continue to provide a home from home for the Virgin team throughout 2010 and beyond.
(Jim Evans)
