Construction on The Blade, a 70-m-high elevated track section at the Speed Park Track, Qiddiya City’s motorsport circuit, has moved from completed design into its physical delivery phase, leading engineering and professional services consulting firm WSP tells Gulf Construction.
Located in the Tuwaiq Mountains approximately 40 km from Riyadh, Qiddiya City is the flagship project of the Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC), which is designed as a unique global destination around the concept of the “Power of Play”, bringing together entertainment, sports, and culture.
A key component of Qiddiya City, Speed Park Track is being developed as one of the world’s leading motorsport venues, featuring a configurable circuit that blends innovation and functionality. Rising to the height of a 20-storey building, the Blade at Turn One extends over 380 m and features a 70-m cantilever section, making it the world’s first elevated and cantilevered racetrack corner.
Substructure works are complete and significant progress has been made on the reinforced concrete and structural steel superstructure, making the circuit’s distinctive form increasingly visible on the Qiddiya City skyline, says WSP.
WSP has provided multidisciplinary engineering and specialist consultancy services for The Blade, including but not limited to structural, geotechnical, transportation, building services, fire and life safety, environmental, landscape and wind engineering disciplines. WSP also undertook wind tunnel testing and provided specialist technical support throughout the design and delivery of the project.
“The Blade captures the ambition behind Qiddiya City’s Speed Park Track: to create a motorsport destination defined by distinctive design, technical excellence and memorable experiences,” says Yamen Dannan, Lead Structural Engineer at WSP in the Middle East.
“WSP’s role has been to apply multidisciplinary engineering expertise to help turn that vision into a buildable reality, from advanced modelling and wind engineering to fabrication strategy, construction sequencing and heavy-lift operations. The result will be a landmark feature that contributes to the circuit’s identity while supporting an exceptional experience for drivers and spectators,” he adds.
The Blade is a defining element of the Speed Park Track. Its elevation and dramatic vantage point will create an instantly recognisable circuit landmark and an exceptional experience for drivers and spectators alike.