Doha Asian Games buy $3 million worth of Club Cars

The Doha Asian Games Organising Committee has selected Hydroturf to be the sole supplier of 250 Club Cars, a deal worth a staggering US $3 million.

Over 40 nations will compete at the Doha Asian Games, representing nearly two thirds of the world's population. The Sports Program comprises of 39 sports, across 32 competition venues and will involve over 10,000 athletes and officials, 500 media, and 15,000 volunteers. Doha Asian Games Committee in conjunction with Club Car will provide the golf carts and appropriate service and maintenance levels to support operations at 50 competition and non-competition venues.

A range of cars will be used including Work Vehicles, People Movers and Ambulance Cars. 22 cars will be supplied to the West Asian Games, which starts on 2nd December, and then 228 Cars to be supplied for the 1st December 2006 for the main Asian Games. In addition to these vehicles, Hydroturf will have a back up fleet of 30 cars to be used in emergencies.

Colin Baxter, Managing Director of Hydroturf stated,

"This contract is one of our biggest achievements Club Car and Hydroturf have had to date. We were up against competition from the US, Europe and Far East to not only supply the cars but also to keep the vehicle fleet operating at all times. Normally, as with the Athens Olympic Games or the Sydney Olympic Games, cars are spread over several suppliers, the fact that Hydroturf is the sole suppler is a tremendous complement to us."

Mr. Baxter continued to say, "We will have a team of mechanics in Doha, an inventory of fast moving parts and we will also have a reserve back up cars to ensure that we fulfill the contract professionally and efficiently. All of us at Hydroturf are looking forward to being involved in the Games and will go the extra yard to ensure everything goes smoothly and efficiently."

The contract involves a high level of service for the maintenance requirements of the vehicles. Hydroturf has levels of maintenance to adhere to during the Games operations at the venues, which specify whether the cart must be repaired or replaced within the hour, within 8 hours or within 48 hours. Hydroturf has also provided the Doha Asian Games Organising Committee Logistics with formal training prior to being registered as an approved driver.

"Each vehicle will be supplied with an onboard charger, so that the vehicle can be taken to any domestic electrical point and can be immediately charged if necessary. Of course there will be charging stations, but this alternative solution almost cancels completely the danger of a vehicle's batteries running out," said Mr. Baxter

"The Club Car product itself is the best engineered and designed vehicle in the market. Hydroturf have an excellent 10 year track record of maintaining and supplying cars to high profile customers including Jumeirah International, Royal Mirage, Golf Courses within the Middle East along with special events such as the Global Village, GITEX, Dubai Airshow and Desert Classic," concluded Mr. Baxter.