Vauxhall has unveiled two new concept vans targeting motorcycle racers. The two new vans made their debut at Donington Park race track last weekend, to mark Vauxhall’s sponsorship of the 2017 MCE British Superbike Championship.

Vauxhall Race Van concepts at Donington Park, at the opening round of the 2017 British Superbike Championship.

Both vans include workshop space suitable for a range of trade users. But the vans’ specialist appeal is that they can also be easily equipped for use as race vans — with space to transport one bike securely within the load bay.

The Vivaro Race Van Concept and the Movano Race Van Concept will be on display at all UK BSB race meetings this year.

Vivaro Race Van concept

The Vivaro Race van is based on the range-topping Vivaro Limited Edition NAV L2H1 F2900 145PS BiTurbo Start/Stop model.

Features include:

• Dual passenger bench with fold-flat centre section
• Air conditioning
• Cruise control and rear parking sensors
• NAVI50 Intellilink
• Auto-lights
• Auto-wipers
• Black alloy wheels

Inside the van is racked and panelled with quality equipment, based around racking that’s provided and installed by Sortimo UK. Features include:

• Sobo Grip+ crash tested safety floor (9mm)
• Sowa Flex wall, door upper and ceiling linings
• Pro-Safe lashing rail with Pro-Safe straps (on bulkhead)
• Drivers Side racking features:
  • Pro-Safe lashing rail on wall
  • Light Weight Globelyst Racking including – fuel can shelf to end of rack; component S-Boxes; Integrated front load fridge; lift up base cover; work top with two drawers; First-Aid kit and document holder to end of racking. All racking includes full Pro-Safe Lashing System with Pro-Safe Straps.
  • WorkMo mobile workstations include drawers; L-Boxes; PPE cupboard; tool holder trays on top
• Passenger Side racking features:
  • Two-tier Flex Rack unit with full integrated Pro-Safe lashing system

All of this kit adds 220kg to the weight of the van, eating into its payload. But it’s probably worthwhile for the safety and utility it provides. In addition to this, the Vivaro Race Van concept is also fitted out with a number of creature comforts that are likely to be popular with anyone camped up by a race track for the weekend:

• 32-inch flat screen TV with wall bracket
• BikeTek wheel chock with quick release baseplate
• Upholstered bench seat on bulkhead
• LED lighting
• Small Breville 800W Microwave
• Shore Power electrical system Including 2000 Watt isolation transformer, 240v-12v DC transformer, consumer unit & ancillaries
• TRP688S Motor Cycle Ramp

Movano Race Van Concept

The Movano is kitted out in a similar way to the Vivaro and is based on the Movano F3300 L2H2 model, powered by a 2.3-litre CDTi 130PS BlueInjection engine. Specified with the Premium Pack, it includes NAVI50 Intellilink, rear parking sensors, air conditioning, trip computer and a perimeter alarm.

Here are the details of the racking an interior kit, which is again provided and installed by Sortimo UK:

• Sobo Grip+ crash tested safety floor (9mm)
• Sowa Flex wall, door upper and ceiling linings
• Pro-Safe lashing rail with Pro-Safe straps (on bulkhead)
• Driver side racking features:
  • Light Weight Globelyst Racking including – drop front shelf; fuel can shelf; tyre space with Pro-Safe Strap; open top shelf with matt & dividers; component S-Boxes; small open shelf; drawer with integrated wash basin and cupboard with waste/clean water containers; integrated front load fridge; lift up base cover; work top with 4 drawers; 2x LT Tool Boxes & lift-up base cover; First Aid kit & document holder to end of racking. All racking includes full Pro-Safe lashing system with Pro-Safe straps.
• Passenger side racking features:
  • Two-Tier Flex Rack Unit with fully-integrated Pro-Safe Lashing System

Weight of Sortimo equipment (including fridge) = 240kg

Awning

• Provided by Camperlands UK
• Fiamma F65 320 awning with single end panel (Side W Pro). This gives a shaded area 3.1m in length along van, and extends 2.5m in depth

Other Equipment

• Installed by Sortimo UK
• 40″ flat screen TV and wall bracket
• BikeTek wheel chock with quick release baseplate
• Upholstered bench seat on bulkhead
• LED lighting
• Small Breville 800W Microwave
• Shore power electrical system Including 2000Watt isolation transformer, 240v-12v DC transformer, consumer unit & ancillaries
• TRP688S Motor Cycle Ramp

Both bike sound like cracking conversions, similar to models available from specialist converters. I suspect they’re PR projects only and unlikely to go into production, but weekend racers might hope to prove me wrong.