Audiovisual: Barco empowers Abu Dhabi’s new Formula 1 race circuit with 14 LED displays Blooloop

Barco, a global leader in LED technology, is proud to announce that it has signed a deal in Abu Dhabi for the delivery of 14 LED displays for the new Yas Marina Circuit. In total 452 square meter of LED will be installed around the track to optimize the fans’ viewing experience. On 1 November 2009 this brand new race track will host the F1 season finale on the occasion of the first ever Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The Yas Marina Circuit will host the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in the next seven years, with the first ever Abu Dhabi grand prix taking place on 1 November 2009. To engage spectators and fans in the action, Aldar Properties has purchased 14 Barco SLite LED screens, totaling 452 sqm LED surface. The displays will be spread over the Formula 1 race track grounds and will be a mix of Barco’s 10mm and 14 mm SLite outdoor LED displays.

“We are glad to have Barco’s SLite LED displays installed on the Yas Marina Circuit premises, ” comments Mohammed Al Mubarak, Chief Commercial Officer of Aldar Properties. “Our Formula 1 race track is designed by world renowned designer Hermann Tilke and will be finished to the highest standards. To underline the circuit’s exclusive location, we needed high-quality displays to broadcast visually stunning images of the race and all activities beyond. Barco’s outdoor LED has extremely good viewing angles and will display the live action perfectly even in the bright Abu Dhabi sunlight.”

“We are proud to have been selected by Aldar Properties; this deal confirms the excellent quality of Barco’s outdoor LED solutions, ” says Wim De Geest, General Manager Middle East for Barco’s media and entertainment division. “Abu Dhabi is a booming region and we are proud to help stage the first ever Formula 1 grand prix in the country. The Yas Marina Circuit will be the most beautiful, innovative and luxurious motorsport circuit ever built. Barco’s LED displays are a perfect fit for this environment as they will ensure maximum visibility for the leading Formula 1 brands.”

Aldar Properties is Abu Dhabi’s leading property development company. One of its flagship developments is Yas Island, a 25km² manmade island, designed to be a dream entertainment destination. Construction began in 2007 and the first phase of the development will be completed before the end of 2009. The island will play host to exclusive theme parks, hotels and numerous attractions, such as this brand new world-class racing circuit.

About Barco
Barco, a global technology company, designs and develops visualization products for a variety of selected professional markets. Barco has its own facilities for Sales & Marketing, Customer Support, R&D and Manufacturing in Europe, North America and Asia Pacific. Barco (NYSE Euronext Brussels: BAR) is active in more than 90 countries with about 3300 employees worldwide. Barco posted sales of 725 million euro in 2008.