Singapore revved up for Formula One race
Wed, September 24 2008
Twenty drivers from 10 teams will zoom around the new 5,067-kilometre street circuit rimmed by 1,500 lighting projectors.
It’s “boom time” for Formula 1 in Asia, said sports promoter Bernie Ecclestone, who proposed racing under floodlights three years ago in a bid to further enliven the sport.
For Singapore, the race is part of a drive to boost tourism and business.
More than 40,000 spectators from overseas have snapped up tickets for the Sept. 26-28 event while it’s projected that 100 million will watch on television.
While McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton said he is looking forward to racing at night and views the sophisticated lighting as a challenge, others have raised concerns over the prospect of greater glare should it rain.
None of the drivers have ever raced at night before.
Practice sessions are set for Friday with the qualifying session and the race on Saturday.
Inspections will be made on Thursday before final approval is granted by FIA, motorsport’s governing body.
The $116-million tab for the race is not expected to generate an immediate financial bonanza, economists said, but intangible benefits are sought.
“This iconic event will help to put us firmly in the global spotlight,” said Muhamad Rostan Umar, communications director for the Singapore Tourism Board.
The public relations value including the live TV air-time has been estimated by media analysts as worth $310 million.
Singapore’s debut on the Formula 1 circuit is aimed at turning the city-state into the “Monaco of Asia,” enticing the super-wealthy who come to the race to consider setting up homes in the city-state.
Lavish parties and race-themed festivals are abundant this week. Top disc jockeys such as Johan Gielen from the Netherlands and the United Kingdom’s Rob Wilder and Carl Cox are scheduled for many of the events.
Yacht parties and a variety of gala night festivities are being held. Adding to the carnival atmosphere are a Jamaican reggae band, Brazilian samba dancer, stilt-walkers and break dancers.
For culture buffs, 12 sculptures and 12 paintings from such famous artists as Picasso were brought to Singapore by the Opera Gallery.
The avalanche of guests hotels are expecting hasn’t materialized. Few spectators from abroad are coming earlier than right before the race.
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