It was the first time that Wan has lit the event, for which lighting and audio equipment was supplied by Network Productions. The Live Action Arena was co-ordinated for exhibition organisers Haymarket Events by Waltham Services.
With up to six sold out shows a day watched by 4700 people each time, the Live Action Arena saw some serious seat-clutching speed, smoke and burning rubber from an array of fast vehicle genres, all completing in a series of hair-raising races.
Wan's brief from show director Roger Burlinson was to bring a real flow and continuity to the pacey, highly choreographed show which segued seamlessly from one set of hot-rodded vehicles to another. They zoomed round the track at breakneck speed, with slots for VT inserts, presenter live-to-camera sections and a world record busting attempt by stunt ace Terry Grant.
Wan used 60 ColorSpot and ColorWash 1200E AT fixtures spread out over three roof trusses stretching the width of the arena to provide top lighting. "I needed bright, powerful light sources to make any sort of impact," he comments. "So the 1200s were ideal".
(Jim Evans)
