5×5m Inflatable Tents for a Rally Motorsport Service Area

For this project in the Netherlands, the client needed a temporary service area for a rally team.

Unlike a normal exhibition booth, a motorsport service area has very practical requirements. The team needs enough covered space for the race car, mechanics, tools, spare parts and maintenance equipment. The structure also needs to be easy to transport between events, quick to install and stable enough for repeated outdoor use.

The client finally selected two 5 × 5 m inflatable event tents, creating a total covered area of approximately 50 m².

Why Two 5×5m Inflatable Tents?

A single 5 × 5 m tent provides around 25 m² of covered space. By placing two units side by side, the team could create a much larger working area while still keeping the setup modular.

This was useful for a rally service area because the space could be divided according to actual use.

One section could be used for the race car and mechanical work, while the second provided additional room for tools, spare parts, equipment and team operations.

The open-span inflatable structure also leaves the central working area relatively clear. Mechanics can move around the vehicle without having to work around a large number of metal frame components.

For motorsport use, this is a very practical advantage.

Protection From Sun, Light Rain and Wind

Rally teams may spend many hours working outdoors, so the tent is not only used for branding.

It also provides a more controlled working area for the team.

The roof and sidewall system provides shade from direct sunlight, helping reduce exposure for mechanics, equipment and the vehicle during daytime events.

The inflatable frame also has a large tube structure that remains firm once properly inflated. When the tent is correctly anchored according to the site conditions, it provides a stable structure for normal outdoor event use and helps protect the working area from moderate wind.

Sidewalls can also be fitted when additional protection is needed.

This is particularly useful in motorsport, where weather conditions can change during a race weekend and teams still need to continue maintenance work.

Easier to Transport Between Events

Another reason the client selected inflatable tents was transportation.

A 5 × 5 m inflatable X Tent has a shipping volumetric weight of approximately 60 kg, depending on the final printing, sidewalls and accessories.

Compared with a traditional aluminum-frame event tent of a similar size, the transportation cost can be more than 40% lower because the inflatable structure does not require long aluminum poles, heavy connectors and large rigid frame components.

For this project, the client purchased two units.

That means they could build approximately 50 m² of covered working space from a system that can be deflated and packed into relatively compact transport bags after the event.

For a rally team that moves equipment between different race locations, this matters.

The tent is not transported once and then stored permanently. It may need to travel with the team throughout the racing season, so reducing packed volume and transport weight can save cost every time the equipment moves.

What the Final Setup Achieved

The two tents created a dedicated service area large enough to work around the rally car.

As shown in the project, the car could be positioned completely inside the covered area while mechanics still had space for jacks, tool cabinets, spare wheels and maintenance equipment.

The sidewalls also gave the team additional privacy and weather protection when needed.

At the same time, the entire tent surface became a large branding area.

Instead of adding separate banners around the service area, the team's red, white and black visual identity was printed directly onto the roof and sidewalls.

This made the service area easy to recognize from outside while still serving its main purpose as a working space.

What MX Did in This Project

For MX, the job was not simply to manufacture two 5 × 5 m tents.

We first needed to understand how the client intended to use the space.

A motorsport service area has different requirements from a trade show booth. The dimensions need to work around the vehicle, enough access needs to be kept for mechanics, and the sidewalls and openings cannot interfere with daily maintenance work.

We therefore coordinated the tent size, connection between the two units, wall configuration and branding layout before production.

The artwork also needed to work across a large three-dimensional structure. Logo positions and graphic proportions were checked before printing so that the branding would still look correct after the tents were fully inflated.

During production, MX followed the printing, inflatable structure, sewing and final assembly, and checked the finished units before shipment.

The final result was straightforward:

2 × 5 × 5 m inflatable tents

Approximately 50 m² of covered service space

Space for the rally car, mechanics and equipment

Shade and weather protection for outdoor use

Lower transportation volume than comparable rigid-frame systems

A complete branded service area that can travel with the team

For motorsport teams that attend multiple events during a season, this type of setup gives them both a practical working area and equipment that is easier to transport, store and use again.

*This project reflects work completed by our team and manufacturing network. To respect client confidentiality and avoid unauthorized use of client brand assets, original logos and identifying brand elements may be removed or replaced with neutral artwork. These changes are limited to branding only; the product structure, application and project details remain true to the original project.