Getec Eventtechnik uses the new high-power washlights for four days unprotected in the Spielberg rain

The MotoGP has been the highest level of road racing within the FIM Motorcycle World Road Racing Championship since 2002. Around 19 Grand Prix races are held worldwide each season, and from 16th to 18th August the premier class of motorcycle racing took place at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg for the MotoGP Austrian Grand Prix 2024. In addition to the various races, MotoGP also featured driver interviews, motorcycle stunts and concerts. Austrian singers Alexander Eder and Granada, among others, this year revved up the audience in the so-called Bike City.

For several years now, the Styrian-based company Getec Eventtechnik GmbH has been responsible for providing event technology (stages, sound, lighting and video components) at the Bike City. This year, the family business, which specialises in sporting events, used 12 of the new Creos LED washlights from GLP for the first time. The new high-power washlights, equipped with 18 × 40W RGBL LEDs, were used upstage on the main stage as a powerful row of lighting fixtures, primarily used for beam and backlight effects.

According to Getec project manager and systems engineer Tobias Gailhofer, two things are particularly important for sporting events like MotoGP: “Weather resistance and high light intensity.”

He continues: “The stage design at MotoGP was completely open, and without any protective side tarpaulins. Therefore, everything that was on the floor in terms of lighting technology had to be IP65 protected. The requirements for light intensity resulted from the long operating times. The event ran for four days from 8am until the evening – and the stage lights needed to still be visible, even in daylight.”

The IP65-certified housing design of the Creos was unquestionably put through its paces by the weather gods at the Austrian MotoGP. “During the four days we had very mixed weather with a few thunderstorms, which the Creos took full advantage of and survived unscathed,” remembers Gailhofer.

Tobias Gailhofer also noted that the new washlight can be expanded into a huge LED bar when combined with other devices. “The feel of Creos is good, and the handles integrated into the side of the base are very useful,” he says.

He went on to say, “The narrow, very strong beam is a nice effect that is well distributed across the entire width of the stage. Thanks to the zoom [4.3°–52°] and tilt, Creos is a very versatile spotlight that is recommended for all outdoor projects that require both a wide wash and crisp beam effects, or light walls. Thanks to the clean front, it also looks great against the camera’s backlight.”