The Pit Hangar,[1] also knows as the Podracer Hangars,[2] was a hangar located in the Mos Espa Grand Arena. It was situated next to the Pinnacle, not far from the race track. The distinctive engine bay struts are typical of the famous podrace hangars on Malastare. In a fan-pleasing gesture, Jabba the Hutt shipped the hangar from Malastare in blocks.[1] The Pit Hangar was originally constructed as a series of enclosed bays, each of which serviced a single podracer. As the sport grew in popularity the hangars had been expanded and the dividers between the bays had been removed to accommodate additional podracers and to keep up with the number of entrants. The Pit Hangar was used for vehicle maintenance and last-minute tune-ups before the race. It also provided a place for podracer pilots, their wealthy fans, and their sponsors to place unregulated, high-stakes bets with one another.[2] The busy crowds in the hangar allowed plenty of opportunities for sabotage and theft. That is why in the days prior to a race, mechanics slept in the upper level of the hangar to stay close to their engines. Some even employed spies, disguised as mechanics, to watch over their machinery. On race day, the pit hangar was crammed with podracers and their teams, as well as determined fans who had managed to talk their way in to meet their heroes.[1] Constantly moving teams of pit droids, assisting podracer mechanics are a common site during the preperation for the Boonta Eve Classic.[2] “A” circuit racers gathered in the left arm of the L-shaped building, closest to the starting grid, while “B” circuit racers, in the other arm, waited for a chance to replace a crashed racer—and win glory for themselves. The hangar featured electrostatic repellers in walls to prevent the buildup of sand inside. Similarly, magnetic suppressor fields dampened engine noise, dust and sand. Furthermore the hangar had its own power substation to prevent arena overloads, a overhead crane track, a fire damper as well as a central air purifier. Outside, right next to the Pit Hangar crashed podracers, collected by maintenance droids, were dumped. A Salvage Engineering building was close by as well. Some teams could not afford Pit Hangar rates, which forced them to put up a makeshift awning outside.[1]
Appearances
- The Phantom Menace 25th Anniversary Special 1
- Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace (First appearance)
- Star Wars: The Phantom Menace Graphic Novel Adaptation
- Star Wars: The Prequel Trilogy – A Graphic Novel
Sources
- Ultimate Star Wars
- Star Wars: Complete Locations
- Star Wars: Geektionary: The Galaxy from A - Z
- Ultimate Star Wars, New Edition
- Star Wars Complete Vehicles, New Edition
