Over 150 Robe moving lights, 20 Robe StageQube 324 LT video panels and a Robe Media Fusion digital media server had a rigorous few days in the Live Action Arena at the "Autosport International 2008 - The Racing Car Show" event, staged at Birmingham NEC.

Engineered to quench the appetite of adrenalised fast car enthusiasts for pure speed, screeching tyres and burning rubber, the equally high performance technical production - sound, lighting, video and staging - was supplied by Network Productions.

It's the fifth year that they have worked on the event for Haymarket Exhibitions, and each year more budget is made available, allowing the designs to get more ambitious. This year, lighting and visuals were designed by Network's Nick Halliday and Josh Williams.

The Live Action Arena took up the whole of the NECs largest space, Hall 5, and featured 6 shows a day during the 2 public showdays with 30 minute change-overs in between.

"On a show like this we really need reliable moving lights" explains Halliday. "There's absolutely no time to drop any trusses in during change-overs - we just need them to work the whole time" ... and so this requirement made Robe an easy choice!

Above the arena they rigged approximately 450 metres of trussing onto which the majority of the lights were hung.

The Robe count included 80 ColorWash 1200E ATs, 12 ColorSpot 700E ATs, 50 ColorSpot 575E ATs and 28 Robe ColorWash 575 AT Zoom fixtures, which were used to up-light the back wall.

These plus 250 PARs, assorted hazers and a Sky Tracker were all run off an Avolites Diamond 4 console operated by Josh Williams, which also triggered the Media Fusion server. This ran both custom made and library originated content for the StageQubes.

The 20 StageQube 324 LTs were arranged as a block at the base of the centre stage 30 square metre high res Lighthouse LED screen, providing eye candy and an ambient floor level backdrop for the presenters ITV F1's Louise Goodman and Radio Le Mans John Hindhaugh. It was the first time medium/low resolution video has been used on an Autosport Live show.

Network Productions bought the Robe media server recently for their conference work and other multiple projector/screen applications. After considering all the options, they decided that this was the best one of them for its flexibility and ease of use.

On the far perimeter wall of the arena was a row of ColorSpot 1200 ATs used for very effectively beaming across and around the end of the arena.

Since they started working on the Autosport Live Action Arena, Halliday and Williams have gradually introduced more colour and drama into the whole  vehicular spectacle - the trend was always to light these type of shows in stark monochrome style. Even so, they still needed the most powerful fixtures to make an impact on the massive space which just swallows light !

Network Productions took the Robe road 3 years ago when they decided to go with a specific moving light brand. "Robe was well respected throughout the industry particularly for it's reliability" says Halliday. That was a key deciding factor for their busy schedules, "The less time we spend repairing any kit the better".

From the creative angle, Williams says he likes the "smooth, quiet movement and the overall functionality" of the Robe fixtures. They are both impressed with the brightness to size ratio of the 700 Series.

Approximately 4,500 petrol-heads watched each Live Action show which included performances by leading UK stunt driver Terry Grant and several star driver guests.

Network Productions also supplied a Cray Acoustics sound system in Hall 5, and over in the Hall 18 Oval Racing Arena, additional Robe ColorWash 575E ATs for a small stage and presentation area.