Corona proof karting

UV-C radiation has long been used, especially in hospitals, to kill bacteria and viruses. With the arrival of the corona virus, health and safety are becoming increasingly important, including in sports center De Uithof in The Hague. This is how the idea arose to come up with an innovative solution together with The Grid – Racing to guarantee the health of visitors: a UV-C disinfection unit.

The health and safety of visitors and staff are paramount at De Uithof. Risks are avoided as much as possible by means of walking routes, disinfection points and the obligation to book in advance. On the go-kart track, the challenge was mainly in disinfecting the materials, such as the helmets. A balaclava and gloves are required, but helmets are passed from person to person. Kart track manager Bas van Kuppeveld contacted The Grid – Racing with this issue. A great collaboration with UV Smart from Delft has come to fruition here.

UV Smart makes the technology of UV-C radiation applicable for validated disinfection of medical instruments and equipment. The company has developed a special UV-C disinfection unit especially for De Uithof, which ensures that all viruses and bacteria on helmets and neck collars are rendered harmless within 3 minutes. A well-known technology, but unique for karting tracks in the Netherlands. This makes the De Uithof go-kart track the first go-kart track in the Netherlands that responds to current risks in this way.

Research agency Eurofins has actually established that UV-C light successfully destroys the corona virus on objects. The disinfection unit is therefore a valuable investment for De Uithof. Director Eugene de la Croix: “We are proud that we are the first go-kart track in the Netherlands to use UV-C radiation to disinfect materials. We hope that we can inspire other go-kart tracks to opt for this solution. We are doing everything we can to continue our activities safely, so that people can enjoy De Uithof in this time as well.”

The Grid – Racing hopes to convince more kart tracks of the effect of UV-C light on (sports) materials: “The Grid – Racing serves the driver, both on and off the grid. With ‘The Halo’, the UV-C disinfection helmet unit, we want to contribute to a safer environment for drivers.”

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