The FIA has opened a new Logistics and Technical Centre in Valleiry, France... naturellement.

"For some time now it has been our intention to centralise our logistical and technical operations under one roof and it is my great pleasure to at last see that wish fulfilled," said FIA President at the opening ceremony which was attended by a number of local dignitaries, including Members of the French Parliament Virginie Duby-Muller and Sophie Dion, President of the Haute-Savoie County Council Christian Monteil, Mayor of Valleiry Marc Favre, site owners Messrs. Roux and Vuignier(!?!), and FIA officials and staff.

"This new facility will not only provide a platform for increased technical excellence but it will also allow the FIA to better plan its motor sport operations, which will achieve significant cost savings in the future."

Designed as the technical hub for the FIA's major Championships, the new 9000m2 facility, which is just over 20km away from the FIA's Geneva (Switzerland)offices, centralises operations that until now were spread across a number of locations.

As well as providing much-needed office space for logistics and technical personnel, which will allow them to better co-ordinate the federation's presence at motorsport events worldwide, the facility will also house all the support vehicles and equipment the FIA regularly sends to events. This includes the radio and weather vehicle, two catering trucks and the two technical trucks that attend each Formula One Grand Prix in Europe as well equipment and vehicles used in the World Rally Championship, World Touring Car Championship and in the World Karting Championships.

The campus will also be home to all of the FIA's homologated equipment, electronics and IT supports, mechanical systems and archives.