Building a paddock structure at a race weekend: what to look out for

Building a paddock structure at a race weekend comes down to three things: speed, multiple functions on a small footprint, and visibility for teams and partners. Foldable units of 6 x 2.45 m make that achievable, because ten of them fit on one truck and they go up fast. For the MotoE in Barcelona we supplied 48 of them for paddock, hospitality and production.

What makes a paddock structure challenging?

Space is tight and the schedule is unforgiving. Everything has to be standing before the teams arrive, on a site that doubles as paddock, parking and sometimes helicopter platform.

On top of that comes the variety of functions. Teams need work space, guests a hospitality area, and the organisation office and production rooms. Those requirements differ greatly, while the whole must still look coherent.

Why foldable units work at a race weekend

Foldable units solve the transport and time problem in one go. Because they fold up, ten fit on a truck, which limits the number of transport movements to the circuit.

On site they are quick to set up and ready to use straight away. Each unit measures 6 x 2.45 m, so you can compose paddock, hospitality and offices with the same format. That makes planning predictable.

Example: 48 units at the MotoE in Barcelona

At the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya we built a complete paddock environment with 48 foldable units. This included paddock structures for the teams, a double-deck hospitality with roof terrace, and office and production rooms.

The hospitality was deliberately given a second floor with roof terrace, so guests had a view over the straight. In this way a small footprint still delivers extra floor space and experience.

Choosing single- or double-deck

Choose double-deck when you need a view or extra space on a small footprint, for example for hospitality with a roof terrace. Choose single-deck when functionality and speed come first, such as for team and production rooms.

The trade-off is mainly about footprint and purpose. On a busy circuit site where trucks and helicopters also need room, every square metre counts.

Branding: units as brand carriers

At a race weekend, visibility is worth money. Fully branded units turn functional structures into brand carriers along the track, with large panels in the corporate style of teams and partners.

Because the branding fits the modular system, the look matches the shape of the units. The whole thing reads as a design, not as separate containers with stickers.

Checklist for a paddock structure at an event

• Which functions are needed: team space, hospitality, office, production?
• How much footprint is available alongside trucks and logistics?
• Single- or double-deck, and is a roof terrace with a view desired?
• How many units are required and how many trucks does that take (10 per truck)?
• What is the build window before teams and guests arrive?
• What branding goes on the units and from which partners?
• Are there requirements around power, access and safety at the circuit?

Frequently asked questions

How many foldable units fit on a truck?

Ten foldable units fit on one truck, because they fold up. That limits the number of transport movements to a circuit and makes the logistics of a race weekend easier to manage.

What is the size of one unit?

Each unit measures 6 x 2.45 m. Because the format is fixed, you can compose paddock, hospitality and office spaces with the same building blocks.

Can a hospitality unit have a roof terrace with a view?

Yes. A double-deck hospitality with roof terrace and stairs gives guests a view over the track and delivers extra floor space on a small footprint. At the MotoE in Barcelona we set it up exactly like that.

Can the units be fully branded?

The units can be fully branded with panels in the corporate style of teams or partners. That turns them into visible brand carriers along the track, alongside their function as work or guest space.

Are foldable units only for motorsport?

No. In addition to paddock structures, we use them for exhibition stands, bar and sales units, backstage and production rooms, and hospitality at a wide range of events.

Get started

Are you considering a paddock, hospitality or branded structure for your event? Get in touch without obligation via the request form on wefoldit.nl, and we will look together at the setup that suits your location and schedule.