Since 1989, the company Lumière & Son Paris is in charge to light the tunnel of the Grand Prix and to broadcast the famous racing on giant screens.
The fact to light up the tunnel was came from Alain Prost's request, who thought that this part of the race was dangerous : at the tunnel entrance, pilots were suddenly in a "black hole" and were blinded by the daylight at the exit.
250 SGM lights
This year, in partnership with Sonoss, Lumière & Son has chosen a 100% LED solution with the P-5 and Q-7 of the Danish manufacturer SGM. These LED light fixtures with an high output have allowed to keep the same lux ratio than a traditional lighting, used before in the tunnel. In addition to its low-power consumption, the LED allows to use one kind of lighting because, in case of power interruption, it light up instantaneously and does not have the inertia of HPI lamps. And feedbacks are positive : pilots appreciate this light closer to the natural light, and without the "yellow" effect of halogen lamps.
170 P-5 and 80 Q-7 have been installed all along the tunnel, in clusters of five. They have respectively an output of 23.500 and 28.000 lumens, with a 110° beam angle for the Q-7, offering a widespread beam. It was used to light the ceiling, while the P-5 and their tighter beam, here equipped with a 43° lens, were enlightened the racing track floor in front of the pilots. To have an optimal luminous output without blind them, the light fixtures were installed on their back. The entrance and the exit of the race track were illuminated at most to allow a better transition between tunnel light and daylight for the pilots.
The Grand Prix was not the only race in Monaco at this period of the year, and the lighting has to be installed 3 weeks before. Among these races, the "historical" Grand Prix : a speed race on the same circuit but with historical vehicles.
The LED products often have only partial protection : only on the front part, power supply without protection... and consequently some problems. The SGM light fixtures are fully protected and we have one less thing to worry.Pierre Heyligen of Lumière & Son
This installation over several weeks could be problematical because of half of the tunnel is opened on the sea and exposed to sea sprays. But for SGM light fixtures, which have an IP-rating of 65, these 3 weeks on seaside are not too much compared to the example of the -30°C faced by the SGM G-Spots during the Igloofest of Montreal
More informations about Lumières & Son Paris on www.lumiereetson-paris.fr
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