Atlas Copco, a leading provider of sustainable productivity solutions, was named the official compressed air provider of Charlotte Motor Speedway in the spring of 2016. Located in Concord, N.C., Charlotte Motor Speedway is a 1.5-mile superspeedway that annually hosts the NASCAR? Sprint All-Star Race, the Coca-Cola 600 and the Bank of America 500 in its 89,000 seat stadium.

 

 

　　A NASCAR hub since 1960, the property includes six racing tracks in addition to the speedway itself. Encompassing nearly 2,000 acres, the complex hosts a range of events including weekly short-track racing series for Legend Cars and Bandoleros; regional and national car club competitions; World Karting Association regional, national and international races; and drag racing at the zMAX Dragway.

 

　　The maintenance shop is run by two-full time employees charged with ensuring the fleet of 200 vehicles and other maintenance equipment runs at peak performance. With such a large enterprise, reliable and quality compressed air is a foundation of daily operations. Charlotte Motor Speedway decided to change compressors when substandard air quality and excessive compressor noise affected daily maintenance routines.

 

　　Atlas Copco installed a GA VSD+ (variable speed drive) 25 horsepower air compressor in the speedway’s maintenance shop during the spring of 2016. It was selected for its performance, durability, small footprint and low noise operation. “The GA VSD+ filled a very big need for the guys in the shop,” said Shaun Johnson, executive director of operations, Charlotte Motor Speedway. “The GA VSD+ delivers on its performance promises, and it’s so quiet you hardly even know it’s there.”

 

　　The patented VSD+ technology reduces energy use by more than half compared with traditional compressors. The GA VSD+ also offers improved performance, silent operation down to 62 dB(a), and a compact footprint thanks to its vertical drive train design. Powered by a permanent interior magnet motor coupled to Atlas Copco’s best-in-class screw element, this compressor sets the industry standard.

 

　　Atlas Copco Compressors LLC is part of the Compressor Technique Business Area, and its headquarters are located in Rock Hill, S.C. The company manufactures, markets, and services oil-free and oil-injected stationary air and gas compressors, air treatment equipment, and air management systems, including local manufacturing of select products. The Atlas Copco Group, which celebrated its 140th anniversary in 2013, is among the Top 100 sustainable companies in the world and a member of the Dow Jones World Sustainability Index. Atlas Copco has also been recognized by Forbes, Thomson-Reuters and Newsweek, among others, for its commitment to innovation and sustainability. Atlas Copco Compressors has major sales, manufacturing, production, and distribution facilities located in California, Illinois, Massachusetts, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas.