Professional Race Teams

[vortex]

I've had a bit of a search and couldn't find a dedicated thread, but if a thread does indeed exist please feel free to correct me. The F1 Tools thread has some good photos in it.

For my garage build (http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=93041) I'm planning on setting up the garage itself in the style of a professional race team. I'll be on a budget like most people, but achieving the look should be within reach. Weather the quality matches is a different story

I can post some photos I have from home, but if people have any workshop/garage photos from professional race teams (of any level) I think it would be great to have a thread of photos for inspiration.

 

[zoomzoomjeff]

My photos from that chapter in my life are on film, in a box, somewhere in the basement. No immediate help to you!

But basically the theme is clean, organized, bright, plenty of space, fully functional in terms of layout. The floors are epoxied with a neutral color, walls are a very light color(s), and industrial storage cabinets along the wall for fasteners, supplies, everything you can think of. They're all plain looking and complete the clean lines. We had SS work tables with air connections at each. Huge overhead lights and infrared heating. The center was kept clear for the transporter to drive through. When not stored inside, it created a lot of nice room for when you would remove the undertray, side pods, and other parts of the car and have to place them on tables or dollies to work separately on them. I guess depending on the operation you run, and the space available, some of these things may not directly translate to your setting. But that's a general idea.

As I re-read your post, maybe you already had that idea from F1 pictures. Sorry if that was of no help.

 

[vortex]

No, it was most helpful! That's pretty much the theme I'm looking for, obviously mine will be on a smaller scale being a double garage. But, I think the colours and some of the layout ideas etc will fit well.

 

[Thomarann]

Look at some of the NASCAR garages too - I remember seeing a show on Kevin Harvick's garage and drooling over the space/layout/tools.

Marc

 

[gtivr4]

I worked briefly at a car magazine in New Zealand. They also ran a NZ V8 Super Car team, and a small formula car team. Always VERY clean. I think that adds a lot in terms of everything being easy to find etc. Hard to do on a non professional single person scale unless you are **** about it, but not impossible. I would love my shop to look closer to this than it likely ever will.

 

[Lippyp]

I used to have Williams F1 in Didcot Oxfordshire as a customer in the late 80's when I sold Office furniture. All I can say is if I ever needed emergency surgery outside a hospital it'd be in their workshop, it was almost surgically clean and tidy. I guess with the sort of money and technology and most of all the performance of their cars you have to be very precise. Leave a spanner in an F1 car and you could very easily kill someone. From what I remember it was split into distinct areas for different processes, but also remember that a fair bit of the specialist work is often contracted out to specialists. You'll struggle to find many pictures as they are very coy about photos being taken in case it gives anything away. I went into their drawing office to look at some chairs and they immeadiately covered up the plans for next years car that was on the boards and this was pre cell phones with cameras.

 

[minhster]

Great topic! I too also have a two car garage and want to go for the same "look". I think the "secret" to the look is being able to store "non-shop" items elsewhere which can be hard since the wife will want to throw all the decorations, kid's stuff, camping gear, bicycles, etc into the garage and that is the FASTEST way to kill the "look".

This isn't a F1 garage but it still carries the same theme as it is a pro offroad team. The Terrible Herbst's shop is in Huntington Beach, CA but they wont be giving you a tour though...

More pics can be found here: http://www.race-dezert.com/home/terrible-herbst-motor-sports-race-shop-2716.html

 

[minhster]

Here's CTR Racing in Fresno, CA. It's more of an industrial look but I'm sure you wouldn't mind it either. The build race trucks and prerunners.

 

[redman43]

minhster, thanks. Now I need a new keyboard and monitor. There seems to be this white gooey substance all over them.

 

[wawa1]

damn

 

[Case IH]

here is thread: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=86261&highlight=Race+Shops

 

[vortex]

here is thread: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=86261&highlight=Race+Shops

Some great stuff there, but not quite what I was looking for

I have my external drive out of storage now (was packed for a recent house move) so I'll post up a heap of the images of professional outfits I have tonight.

 

[vortex]

Part 1.

 

[vortex]

Part 2.

 

[vortex]

Part 3.

 

[vortex]

For my own garage, I'm planning to do a slightly modified version of the Red Bull F1 team workshop

Clearly it'll be a smaller version, but the benches, floor colour and even the setup markings on the floor would be fairly inexpensive to do. I would also like to mark my 'Vortex Motorsports' logo on the floor just as they have as well.

I have specced up some nice big fluros for the ceiling as well, the plan is to have 6 of those and the ability to turn them on or off in banks of two as required.

 

[jktruck150]

Those are super clean...my garage will never look like that. Don't want it too...but man they still make me drool!!

 

[NUTTSGT]

There is some awesome shops in these pictures. You know the say goes something like, If I won the lottery. . . . .

 

[illmatyk]

some pretty dope shops there!