It can cost several million dollars to build a high performance, technically advanced race car and finance a team through the annual race programme, particularly at the level of the Formula 1 Grand Prix, where there are at least 17 races per year hosted all over the world.
Even at F3 level the costs are considerable and many question whether it is appropriate to run such an expensive sport at a time when there are increasing worries about the environment as well as a global financial crisis.
A steering wheel for an F1 car, for example, can cost as much as the average family saloon car.
There are arguments in favour, however, both in terms of the eventual benefit to the environment from the new technologies being developed to enhance performance and fuel economy which, it is argued, will eventually translate into the mainstream car market.
Plainly a manufacturer's involvement in creating a winning car can have benefits for sales of on-road cars in a highly competitive market. Equally there are benefits for the manufacturer in attracting sponsorship from companies keen to benefit from increased awareness of their logo and branding for their own products or services.
Other business sponsors are willing to contribute sponsorship money but wish to remain in the background and avoid any publicity at all. Their purpose is to develop good business networking opportunities with other high profile businesses and so increase trading opportunities.
The race industry also provides employment opportunities, not only for drivers, some of whom start off in F3 to develop their skills and their reputations as drivers, but also for engineers, back-up teams, marketing specialists and others involved in the work of any large business.
The rivalry, investment and competition involved in building the best performing car and in the races themselves means that there is a need for secrecy and confidentiality at all stages.
This means getting the cars, spare engine parts, extra tyres, replacement body parts and tools to and from each race meeting.
A company that specialises in transporting race cars needs to be able to offer a number of facilities in transit. The most obvious is secure, enclosed transporters and insurance.
The covered transport should also be able to offer access for modern aerodynamic, open wheeled vehicles with a very low ground clearance, as is the case with most F1 and F3 race cars. It needs to also be able to deal with cars that have been damaged during the race and therefore be able to winch the car back into the transporter if necessary.
In addition there are many meetings and rallies throughout the year in several countries for older and vintage race cars. These too will need careful, enclosed transport to protect the cars from damage and also the possibility of theft, particularly for a rare and coveted model.
Using a specialist company with expertise in transporting such specialised vehicles will provide peace of mind for the owners and makers that their car is safe from potential damage or from being seen by rivals before the race.
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The stakes are high for companies investing in building the most technologically advanced race cars and a high level of secrecy is maintained right through to using secure, covered transport to an event. By Ali Withers. http://www.carsincamera.com/transport/covered-transport.html
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