Dexion Group developed an innovative solution for Triple Eight Race Engineering to store tyres in a temperature controlled environment with the expansion to 3 race cars.
Triple Eight Race Engineering, Australia’s leading national Supercars motor racing team, has collected seven drivers’ championships, eight team’s championships, six Bathurst wins and over 150 race wins over the last decade. Success is not only contagious, it’s demanded.
Expanding from two to three cars for the 2016 Supercars championship, the team faced numerous challenges including the storage of 80 tyres per car in the temperature controlled tyre room which was already at maximum capacity.
“An innovative storage solution was paramount to maintaining the winning edge”, said Triple Eight owner Roland Dane. Dexion’s history of delivering storage solutions to Triple Eight meant they were one of the first calls we made.
Dexion’s response maximised the use of Triple Eight’s existing workshop space while also overcoming issues surrounding tyre access, workplace health and operator safety issues.
The Dexion Mekdrive 3 Compactus mechanically assisted mobile storage system using Dexion’s Longspan shelving created space for all 240 tyres while minimising disruption to the existing workshop layout. The Mekdrive 3’s unique stylised hand wheel with integrated spinner handle also greatly reduces strain on the operator’s shoulders and elbows when moving the carriages.
“The time saved in accessing and putting away tyres has freed me up to do more productive tasks in the workshop,” explained Triple Eight truck driver and tyre handler Warick “Wazza” Beames. The innovative patented pivoting safety ramps also allow Warick to easily bring trolleys in and out of the Mekdrive 3 Compactus.
The main beneficiaries are the drivers. “Dexion has been a long-time supporter of mine and it’s great to see their capacity to provide an innovative storage solution is as strong as ever,” said Craig Lowndes, six times Bathurst winner and three times Supercars drivers’ championship winner.
“The Dexion Mekdrive 3 Compactus ensures we will continue to remain a step ahead in our super competitive championship,” beamed six time drivers’ champion Jamie Whincup.
New team addition Shane van Gisbergen commented, “The importance of high quality tyres to our racing success can’t be overstated. The Dexion Mekdrive 3 Compactus will help ensure our tyres last longer and allow me to hopefully overtake Craig and Jamie more often!”
“For the team, the installation of the Dexion Mekdrive 3 Compactus ensures tyre handling and tyre storage is no longer a concern,” commented Triple Eight race team manager Mark Dutton. “The safety and operator handling features of the Dexion Mekdrive 3 Compactus are outstanding and offer the business great comfort to ensure our staff work in the safest possible environment. The 10 year warranty is a real bonus!”
“Dexion’s ability to professionally project manage the installation process from order placement to final installation was world class ““ a fantastic result,” said Triple Eight’s Commercial Operations Manager Tom Wilson.
By understanding Triple Eight’s storage problem and identifying and implementing solutions that accommodate the design restrictions, Dexion is playing a key role in supporting the team’s future race and championship glory.
