Volvo CE accelerates sustainable transformation with Hong Kong track build

As the FIA World Rallycross Championship’s ‘Official Track Building Partner’, Volvo Construction Equipment played a key role in helping to design and build the Central Harbourfront circuit that staged last weekend’s 2023 season finale in the heart of downtown Hong Kong (11-12 November).

The first city-centre track in World RX history – set against the unmistakeable backdrop of Hong Kong’s iconic skyscrapers and bustling streets – proved to be tight and technical, offering scant margin for error and punishing even the slightest of mis-steps, with the traditional gravel traps and run-off areas replaced by unforgiving walls and barriers. Not only that, but it produced some electrifying entertainment that left awestruck fans grinning from ear-to-ear.

Part of the layout was a replica of a design devised by Volvo CE at its test track in Eskilstuna, Sweden – with the aim of encouraging overtaking and generating a greater spectacle for racegoers.

Each element was digitally refined through a series of workshops and perfected using build data captured in 3D on Volvo CE’s Dig Assist in-cab control application. The data was then programmed into the brand’s machines and recreated in real life, reducing the required construction time for the circuit and doing so in a sustainable manner, with minimal carbon footprint.

Indeed, the track build – which demonstrated the power of Volvo CE’s electric portfolio, including the 23-ton EC230 excavator, an Engcon Tiltrotator capable of excavating to any angle and two brand new L120 wheel-loaders – took less than ten days in total.

One of the zero-emission L120 machines was subsequently fitted with recovery forks to remove crashed cars from the circuit, as part of the company’s pioneering motorsport safety solution.

The event was enjoyed by some 17,000 on-site spectators, including around 300 Volvo guests and customers – and once the racing was done-and-dusted, the unsealed material that formed the ‘gravel’ part of the track was moved to another site to be re-used in a different construction project.

“This was another great platform to raise awareness about the incredible power of electro-mobility and digital solutions in real-life applications,” commented Bill Law, Head of Brand, Marketing and Communications at Volvo CE.

“We are so proud to have been part of developing this spectacular rallycross track in the heart of Hong Kong, in partnership with the FIA World Rallycross Championship. It is testament to what can be achieved when we work together to accelerate a more sustainable transformation.”