Every year, hundreds of thousands of people converge on Speedway, Indiana for the Indy 500.
When the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 came around several years ago, officials with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) turned to RaceTrack Engineering and Klipsch to upgrade the sound at various key points around the track.
LEGENDARY SOUND REQUIRED
If you’ve ever attended any kind of auto race, you know it is extremely loud and can be difficult to hear the public address system.
Outfitting a legendary track like the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, even if it’s only part of it, is a monumental task. The logistics of it all were daunting.
Dave Dusick of RaceTrack Engineering said, “The audio needs for the Project 100 renovation at IMS were unique because this was a high profile seating area that required high-quality audio that is difficult to find. The Klipsch solution was the perfect fit for these unique needs.”
“When you are dealing with a facility as complex as the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, vendor relationships and customer service are critical to our success,” Dusick said. “Klipsch’s reputation for customer service, combined with their Hoosier roots makes this an obvious partnership.”
A grand total of 424 Klipsch speakers were installed in the Paddock Penthouse, as well as the Hulman Terrace Club Suites.
One of two models used in this large installation is the CA-800T speaker. This all-weather speaker is ideal for foreground or background audio in an indoor or outdoor environment. This compact full-range 70-volt speaker is extremely versatile, which is why you can find this speaker both inside the hospitality area at IMS, as well as up in the rafters in the seating area.
The other speaker used at IMS is the similarly versatile CP-6T speaker. Like the CA-800-T, the CP-6T employs Klipsch’s Proprietary Tractrix® Horn technology allowing for highly efficient, low-distortion announcing as well as musical sound. The CP-6T’s integrated bracket and its ability to be tightly mounted into a corner with its V-shaped rear profile made it an ideal fit for the IMS install.
Dusick said, “It’s an honor to be part of something as magnificent as the Indianapolis 500 on an annual basis. Obviously, this year is even more spectacular than the rest. To know that we are contributing to the fan experience for the largest single-day sporting event that our generation has ever and will ever see is more than just an honor; it is literally the thrill of a lifetime.”
Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines. It’s time for great sound.
Author: Devon Dean
Date: May 15, 2019 (updated May 13, 2019)
Source: klipsch.com
