Karting Fun on a Cruise Ship Thanks to Bolidt

Over more than half a century, Bolidt has built up a wealth of expertise in (further) developing floor finishes for car park applications. Bolidt’s very durable surface courses for roads and bridges provided the basis for these floor finishes. But the possibilities do not end there. German karting technology specialist RiMO Supply and Bolidt joined forces and installed an extremely slip-resistant surface course on a kart track. Not just anywhere, but on a Norwegian Cruise Line cruise ship.

Powered by Ferrari

The 326-metre-long Norwegian Joy was built by the German Meyer Werft. For the kart track, this renowned shipyard selected a Bolidt surfacing material, which has been used extensively in car parks, but never before as a racing surface for go-karting afloat. The Ferrari-sponsored track of about 230 metres long was created using Bolideck® Racetrack. This is a synthetic material based on established road surfacing technology. The high flexibility, durability and slip resistance of the material were crucial qualities for the kart track. Its non-skid surface easily allows 20 karts to race around at any one time.

Bolideck® Racetrack

Peter Staal, Account Manager Parking & Infra at Bolidt, about the special project: “Bolideck® Racetrack is ideal for this unique application. It is durable and at the same time slip resistant enough to ensure safety. But not so non slip, of course, as to take the thrill out of racing. RiMO, the designer of the circuit, came to our test facilities to evaluate the driving experience on our surface courses with a number of their karts. This enabled us to optimise the level of grip on the material for its use as a racing surface, thus ensuring that the track does not just look authentic, but also feels that way.”

Ground-breaking project

Peter Bertram, chief executive and owner of RiMO Germany Group, is equally enthusiastic: “We are proud to have been involved in such a ground-breaking project and to have developed the first kart track onboard a ship. Bolidt's support and expertise in the field of surface courses was invaluable. Their collaboration enabled us to achieve our goal of delivering a unique track in a unique location efficiently and without complications.”

Quality and durability

Ever since the company was founded in 1964, Bolidt has been developing innovative synthetic floor finishes including flooring systems for car parks. Over the years, the company has introduced various innovations and made an important contribution to both improving the quality and durability of car parks. The fact that this floor finish has now also been applied on a kart track at sea in the form of Bolideck® Racetrack can be called truly innovative. It will, however, certainly not be the last innovation as far as Bolidt is concerned.

About Bolidt

Bolidt is the ultimate specialist in synthetic flooring for garage businesses. Bolidt understands that the automotive industry sets strict requirements for aspects such as assembly, maintenance, repairs and sales. Garage owners require a floor that prevents environmentally-harmful substances such as petrol, oil and diesel from permeating the substrate. Falling tools and high mechanical loads must not cause any problems either.

Bolidt has over 50 years' experience in the development, production, and application of synthetic flooring, and is a frequently sought-after partner for companies in the automotive industry worldwide. Garage businesses rely on Bolidt's innovative flooring because of its exceptional functional qualities such as high mechanical and chemical resistance, long service life, ease of maintenance and aesthetics.