Lamps from Megaman (UK) Ltd have been used to provide an effective, low energy light source for temporary gantries used in the pit areas for the 2009 FIA Formula Two Championship.

Based at Bedford Autodrome in Thurleigh, Bedfordshire and owned by former grand prix driver Dr Jonathan Palmer the company manage a fleet of 26 Williams F1 designed cars and have a team of drivers that race at all of the major circuits in the UK and internationally.

A new addition to the equipment used by the F2 Team, the aluminium framed composite lighting rigs are robust but light and easy to manoeuvre/assemble at each of the race circuits.  Measuring 2.4m long, 1.2m wide with a 100mm in depth, they have to be fixed predominately at a height of 2.1m to allow installation into awnings or garages to give adequate space above the cars.  The frame required a slim, easy to connect light fixture that would not obstruct any work taking place on the cars below, whilst providing sufficient quality and level of illumination for the technical work being carried out.

Richard Gates, the F2 race operations manager contacted local lighting supplier Lyco Direct who, in conjunction with Megaman, carried out a Relux survey to test the lux level required for the project and provide a solution. It was suggested that Fozz Lighting’s Chronos slim line downlighters incorporating Megaman’s GX53 13W lamps would fit the bill perfectly.

The GX53 lamps are palm-sized with a diameter of 75mm and are just 24.3mm in height.  Available in various wattages, the lamps use a U shaped T2 tube to minimise dark areas and provide a uniform light output. With a significantly lower heat output than its halogen equivalent, the lamps provide a much more even temperature for the Formula Two technicians to work under.     An additional feature and benefit of the GX53 is that should the lamps be damaged in transit, the glass is safely contained within the fitting.  

The combination of Chronos and the GX53 lamps result in a very compact slimline fitting which can be used as a stand alone unit or in a recessed application.  Following the success of the initial trial on one of the gantries at Bedford, the rest of the mobile units have now been installed with the same fittings.Â