Singapore to host F1 race next year

[selvahraje46]

so guys, I think now we will have to travel downsouth to see night street race.... Singapore has won the right to host a Formula One Grand Prix next year, an official said Friday. The race will be held either in September or early October on a street circuit around the downtown Marina Bay district, Minister of State for Trade and Industry S. Iswaran told a news briefing. Iswaran said it could "potentially" be the world's first night race, but organisers are still looking at safety issues. "Safety is of paramount importance to all of us. Therefore we will proceed with a night race only if the safety and operational requirements of all parties... are fully met," he said. "If not we will revert to a day race." Formula One head Bernie Ecclestone had earlier met property tycoon Ong Beng Seng to discuss the possibility of holding the race in the Republic. Singapore is keen to host an F1 race and the government had given its blessing to the negotiations between Mr Ong and Mr Ecclestone. However financial and logistical hurdles have recently slowed progress on a deal. The government said it was "willing to support such a venture up to a level commensurate with the broader benefits to the economy". The cost of hosting a race is estimated to be US$70 million. Aside from the costs, the task of working out logistics, particularly maximising public safety and minimising disruptions to local businesses in the area earmarked for the race, was also proving to be a challenge. A senior member of Mr Ong's team has previously said a decision needed to be made by April this year if they were to be ready for a 2008 race. - CNA

 

[pussy]

best of luck with singapore.. wonder how the cars fare downsouth...

 

[kelvinp]

wonder if the tickets will be cheaper than RM50/SGD20 for hillstand.. no problems watching frm a hillstand if its at night..

 

[anaksarawak]

It will be city streets of Singapore.. Like how they did in Monte Carlo

 

[viewfinder]

Hmm I thought The Star just reported today that the Singapore gov was not keen to foot the majority of the bill.

 

[ALBundy]

It will be awesome to have it in Singapore. The atmosphere will be carnival like...you can watch from the hotel room also. I am definitely planning to be there next year Oct...night race some more. Smart singaporeans....

 

[ICEman63]

It's been a long time since i travelled to Singapore..wonder how they look like now

 

[fabianyee]

wonder if the tickets will be cheaper than RM50/SGD20 for hillstand.. no problems watching frm a hillstand if its at night..

what hills???? the Marina Bay area is quite flat.... don't think there's any hills in the area..

Anyway, still not too sure whether it'll be a night race or day race.. They may organise it as a day race and not straight into night race. They would need to overcome the problems of having a street circuit. And realtime problems can only surface during the race no matter how much pre-race planning goes into it. It'll be a whole different ball game with the lights thrown in.

However, like the article said, "it could "potentially" be the world's first night race"..

 

[pussy]

why nite race ?

because if it was day race, the whole city will be jam.. that's why..

 

[okow]

...and what a PARTY this would be. Somehow, Singapore gives me that image that they are a partier place than we are. Just check both the Quay's.!

 

[ALBundy]

why nite race ?

because if it was day race, the whole city will be jam.. that's why..

They can always closed all the roads without causing much havoc on the road, the people there can always use MRT.

The primary reason is because of the higher revenue from TV broadcasting rights. Having it at night here would be more conducive for the Europeans to watch the race (lunch time there).

The only problem I was told is what happens if it rains. So that's where the weather forecasters come in. If its going to rain, the race would be held in daytime. I believe they are still working on the mechanics of it and knowing how kiasu they are, I bet they will put us to shame.

By the way, one of the attached conditions (Extending F1 races in Msia) from F1 management to Sepang is also to have night races.

 

[1+2=3]

last i heard about this, the F1 drivers themselves are not keen on a night race, saying its too dangerous.

 

[xtracooljustin]

i believe its a good thing that our neighbour is organizing an F1 race.

I believe wif competition, it'll give our race organizers a run for their money n thus buck up. I believe some of you all know or have read bout ear plugs being sold for RM10 which a person has written to the Star and complained bout it.

Besides Sepang's race is always one of the first few in the annual calendar and FIA can always arrange SG's F1 to be held as one of the last races.

I fully support a street track nite race in SG.

 

[Rainracer]

Yup Yup....Clarke and Boat Quay are pretty happening indeed!

Hmm...wondering if there will be any chance that a normal car go on the designated route?

 

[azzy-CSL-wuzzy]

hmmm...

i remember in 2002 or 2003... our SIC suggested a nights race with floodlights and everything... before they dubbed our Malaysian GP the "hottest race"... at that time bernie mac... i mean ecclestone said... no we cannot have night races...

now that singapore is suggesting it... it becomes a good idea... what is this world coming to... come on lah... stop complaining...

everybody is getting so excited about it being a street race... like monaco... woo hoo... big crapping deal... the only reason why monaco is still in the F1 calendar is becos it has history... all the great went there and won it... and this was during the time when tracks were scarce... if not for the safety precautions... and the upgrading, which came with the experience of handling countless GPs... monaco will be stripped off the F1 calendar...

yes... operative word being kiasu!... the singaporeans just can stand it when malaysia does something first... they just need to compete... trust me... there is no way the price will be anything less than double our prices...

and about singapore being more happening... okaylah... it might have more happening places... but malaysia also quite happening what... F1 parties in Malaysia are very the happening... just don't confine yourselves to the BMW Sauber parties... explore... u might just be surprised...

there are 4 F1 races in Asia... Malaysia, Bahrain, Suzuka, Shanghai... and apart from suzuka... which is again a historical circuit... don't think the organisers get better reviews from the drivers than Malaysia...

agree... the race in singapore would mean SIC will have to buck up and be better organisers... but please... anywhere but singapore... who just stole the idea from monaco n think they can hack it...