Interested? Here's an opportunity to be one of 800 marshals for the 2008 Singapore F1 GP night race. Unlike Malaysia's F1 race, there are no racial considerations or eligibility based on personal connections (ie. to Petronas, Proton or the retards in the local racing fraternity). Even foreigners are welcome if they are willing to spend the time in Singapore being trained.
Kimi Raikkonen finally wins it. Hail the 2007 F1 World Driver's Champion.
Other reading...
The battle: Kimi beats Lewis to maiden title glory
The aftermath: McLaren appeal puts title result in doubt
Here's a nifty piece video from earth@sg taking a 3D test drive down the F1 track. It's not flash-bang like a slick commercial or advertising video (dang, it hangs abit once or twice), but it's pretty good effort from a group of dunno-whos.
And if you were trying to figure out what each of the buildings and landmarks were, here's a detailed route map from the Singapore's URA (Urban Redevelopment Authority).
The Singapore F1 GP will be held next year on 28 Sept 2008. And yesterday, exactly one year before the race, FIA gave its approval for the finalised track layout. The finalisation of the track layout sets everything else in motion.., from roadworks, additional construction to the recruitment of race marshalls and volunteers.
Now the only question that remains is whether the race will be held at night. Confirmation will only come early next year but current lighting trials overseas are promising. In any case, the official Singapore GP website is optimistic. They've got their countdown targeting a race start of 8PM.
Go here for the news report on ChannelNewsAsia. It's filed under the date-category of 28 Sept 2007 with the title: 'Countdown to F1 race on 28 Sep 2008 begins, night race pending.'
Here's the 18-race calendar for 2008, with new street races in Valencia and Singapore on the agenda. Both new venues still require circuit approvals, while the Canadian Grand Prix remains provisional.
Revised 2008 Formula 1 calendar (source: itv.com)The Singapore F1 GP will be on 28 Sept 2008. Hotel rates are said to go up 4-fold during F1 weekend. So, I'm now taking applications for the use of the 2nd bedroom in my flat. Please include in the application a full-length picture, your vital statistics and what you'll be willing to do ;p
Mar 16 - Melbourne, Australia
Mar 23 - Sepang, Malaysia
Apr 6 - Sakhir, Bahrain
Apr 27 - Barcelona, Spain
May 11 - Istanbul Park, Turkey
May 25 - Monte Carlo, Monaco
June 8 - Montreal, Canada*
June 22 - Magny-Cours, France
July 6 - Silverstone, Great Britain
July 20 - Hockenheim, Germany
Aug 3 - Hungaroring, Hungary
Aug 24 - Valencia, Europe**
Sep 7 - Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium
Sep 14 - Monza, Italy
Sep 28 - Singapore**
Oct 12 - Fuji, Japan
Oct 19 - Shanghai, China
Nov 2 - Interlagos, Brazil
* provisional
** subject to circuit approval
We'll know by December this year if the Singapore F1 GP will be a night race or not, when the FIA makes known its feasibility study.
Read other posts in this blog on Singapore F1 GP, under the label of:
F1 and the 2008 Singapore GP
Prices will range from a measly S$50 for the "trial races" (I think they mean the practice sessions or support races) - to a testicle-shrinking $7,000 for a paddock pass.
I've heard talk that hotel rates for track-side rooms will top US$1,000 per night. And that doesn't even include a 16 year old hooker to blow you while you watch the cars roar past.
Singapore Grand Prix releases estimated ticket prices for F1
By Satish Cheney, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 18 July 2007 2121 hrs
SINGAPORE: Formula One fans will be able to get their hands on tickets to Singapore's first-ever Formula One Grand Prix by the end of the year. Corporate ticket sales will begin on 28 November, while public ticket sales will start in mid-December.
Singapore Grand Prix, the organiser of the race, said ticket prices would be kept affordable to ensure that many people would be able to enjoy it. Responding to Channel NewsAsia, Singapore GP, which controls 100 percent of the hospitality rights, said the cheapest ticket is likely to be around S$50 for the trial races.
During the actual race day, tickets will cost around S$100.
And for the exclusive paddock area, tickets will cost a whopping S$6,000 to S$7,000 each.
Singapore GP said it is fine-tuning the details, adding that mid-range packages would be made available.
These packages could include exclusive use of sky lounges for companies. There could even be an outdoor party, similar to a mini Zouk-Out, within the circuit park.
Some 80,000 to 90,000 people are expected to get a taste of the F1 action in Singapore. - CNA
Singapore finally clinches the F1 GP. First race is Sept/Oct 2008 and very possibly a night race (Bernie said so).
"I think we can drop the possibility of a day race" - Bernie Ecclestone responding to scepticism of a night race.This is great news. Imagine, a F1 race that's a single train or bus ride away from your doorstep. It actually takes longer to walk from Sepang's carpark to it's main door - (there's supposedly a shuttle bus... but I've never actually seen one though I've been there twice) - compared to the MRT ride from most HDB estates to Marina Bay.
After exactly a month with no news whether the Singapore F1 was going to go ahead, Today newspaper reports that a company called Singapore GP Pte Ltd, (helmed by the man who's been holding talks with Bernie Ecclestone since the beginning of the year) - has been incorporated with the registered business purpose of "event promotion".
Hopefully, a confirmation of the race will come sooner rather than later.
Previous blogpost about the Singapore F1:Sickening: Singapore still dragging its feet on F1 GP.
Check out the huge pair of Roger Rabbit ears masquerading as aero wings on the nose cone of the current Honda F1 car.
Apparently they had it on during pre-Spanish GP testing. I hope they bring it to the race weekend because I'd like to see if something that hideous really does work.
Not sure if resorting to the wholesale destruction of the car's aesthetics indicates that Honda is out of ideas on how to be more competitive.
Somehow, they are just unwilling to come right out and confirm the damn thing.
Still... when commenting on the road closures, the Foreign Minister did say that:
"we [the govt] decided to go ahead, so I hope we can minimise the inconveniences to members of the public""Decided" is past tense, right? But the thing is... did he mean go ahead with hosting the F1,... or go ahead with the negotiations? Like I said... sickening.
"It's starting to get a little shabby and looks a bit tired."Damn, for Bernie to say something like that to the press, it's got to be pretty darn bad. Bloody disgraceful too but as Forrest Gump would say... NEP will do as NEP does. This is the kind of shit that ALWAYS HAPPENS, bar none... when the best man never wins [the contract/project].
"There is rubbish all over the place and it's not really a good sign for Malaysia. We're on worldwide television and it needs to look good, much like in the beginning."
If there's no Singapore F1 announcement this week, perhaps next week then?
"I don't believe an announcement will necessarily be made right on the eve of the Malaysian GP in Sepang because it will be a little discourteous for Malaysians if we did that. I'm sure there is a lot of negotiation going on at the moment, very high level, there will be a lot of things that need to be sorted out - rights and internally within Singapore on things such as the road closure and everything else," says Steve Slater, F1 Commentator.
Also giving it the thumbs up - former F1 driver Alex Yoong from Malaysia: "It would be better for Malaysia if it was the only track in South East Asia to have Formula One but at the same time I say a Singapore race would be good as well… there are obvious advantages to having a neighbour that has embraced motor sports so well."Previous blogpost: Mark Webber testdrives Singapore F1 Street Circuit
S'pore F1 race decision possibly after Malaysian Grand Prix: expert
Patwant Singh 03 April 2007 2308 hrs
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/268312/1/.html
SINGAPORE: The decision on the proposed Formula One circuit in Singapore is not likely to be made this week.
This, according to veteran F1 commentator Steve Slater, who is attending a two-day forum on Motor Sports here.
He told reporters the decision is likely to be made after the Malaysia Grand Prix, which is being held at the end of this week.
Formula One driver Mark Webber's spin through the proposed Singapore circuit last weekend was the latest spark to fuel the speculation that a decision on the Singapore race was imminent.
Tuesday’s forum, attended by some 150 delegates, saw more discussion on the business possibilities of staging an F1 race in Singapore.
So the stage is set for an announcement if Singapore gets to play host - but one expert believes that everyone has to wait a little longer.
"I don't believe an announcement will necessarily be made right on the eve of the Malaysian GP in Sepang because it will be a little discourteous for Malaysians if we did that. I'm sure there is a lot of negotiation going on at the moment, very high level, there will be a lot of things that need to be sorted out - rights and internally within Singapore on things such as the road closure and everything else," says Steve Slater, F1 Commentator.
The Englishman has been involved in the sport for more than two decades.
He thinks Singapore's proposal for a night race is a great suggestion which is being considered.
But there are issues to be resolved, such as driver safety and even television coverage, under the night lights.
On the bright side, the street circuit could have other benefits for the city, besides receiving international attention.
"We are talking about blocks and fences fundamentally that can be moved around. All cities evolve and grow every year, particularly here and particularly in Asia, so it's possible to change the configuration of the track, incorporate elements into the design of new buildings and it could become a feature of the city itself," says David Clare, CEO, A1 GP, Asian Region.
Also giving it the thumbs up - former F1 driver Alex Yoong from Malaysia: "It would be better for Malaysia if it was the only track in South East Asia to have Formula One but at the same time I say a Singapore race would be good as well… there are obvious advantages to having a neighbour that has embraced motor sports so well."
According to Yoong, based on Malaysia's experience, F1 alone has not helped the growth of the local motor sports industry.
He suggested that it would be good for Singapore to host both F1 and A1, because from his observation, A1 has been a catalyst to develop motor sports and has managed to garner a strong following at the local level. - CNA/yy
Red Bull Racing's Mark Webber took a leisurely drive today, around the proposed Singapore F1 street circuit in a black Renault Megane Coupe convertible. He had this to say about the plan for a night street circuit race:
[He] said organisers would have to look into lighting and the effect of rain, which could create glare in dark conditions.Previous blogpost on the Singapore F1 Street Circuit saga here and video + report from Channel News Asia on Webber's Saturday drive below.
"There's a few unanswered questions which need a bit more research, but that happens when you have something very exciting and something very new which is what we have here."
On whether such a race could be held here next year, Webber quipped: "If there's people walking on the moon, you can make things happen very quickly these days."
Formula One: More work needed on Singapore night race - Webber
31 March 2007 1757 hrs
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/267641/1/.html
SINGAPORE: Formula One's Mark Webber praised a proposed Singapore street circuit after driving it on Saturday but said more research was needed into a plan to race here at night.
The Red Bull driver from Australia said organisers would have to look into lighting and the effect of rain, which could create glare in dark conditions.
"They are talking about the night concept which again is very, very new and pioneering and something which has not been done before in Formula One," said Webber, 30, who is also director of the Grand Prix Drivers Association.
"The question of whether it rains has been mentioned," he added.
"It requires a lot of research and development into actually understanding how that could take place in terms of the amount of lighting required to make the event safe for the drivers, for marshals and (other) people taking part.
"There's a few unanswered questions which need a bit more research, but that happens when you have something very exciting and something very new which is what we have here."
Webber took a "leisurely" morning drive in a non-race car round the 4.8-kilometre (three-mile) route proposed by designer Hermann Tilke.
Despite the potential risks, Webber said "all the drivers are very, very keen to race on a new street circuit, which is definitely going to be the case here in Singapore."
"It's a very clean and beautiful city and I think it's a real signature event if you can have a Formula One Grand Prix here," he added.
"I can see the enthusiasm and the excitement to have an international sporting event such as the world Formula One championships here and it's something which looks exciting, no questions about it."
Webber's test drive comes after the Singapore government said negotiations were under way to host a Formula One event in the affluent Southeast Asian island-nation and that it was prepared to offer support.
It has been reported that Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone held talks in the city-state with a tycoon who is bidding for the right to host an F1 race here.
Ecclestone was believed to have had dinner with Singapore hotel magnate Ong Beng Seng, one of two local parties jockeying to host the event.
Singapore's founding father Lee Kuan Yew said two years ago that he regretted not having built a Formula One race track to generate more money for the local economy.
Monaco hosts the circuit's only other street race, and there is no night race on the calendar.
Formula One organisers have made clear their intentions to stage night races to take advantage of time zone differences and boost TV audiences.
On whether such a race could be held here next year, Webber quipped: "If there's people walking on the moon, you can make things happen very quickly these days." - AFP
The Singapore-phobic Malaysians will have a field day with this. The Malaysian Sports Minister just voiced the long-standing thinking of Malaysian politicians and not a few citizens with regards to it's relationship with Singapore. That the two countries should not compete with each other.
It also demonstrates Malaysia's greatest fear: The fear of competition. Malaysia is paralysed by it. It is the main reason why Malaysia's relationship with competitiveness-obsessed (kiasu) Singapore is so antagonistic.
Malaysia believes in patronage, quotas and monopolies where money is made with minimum or no effort. It's believes in carving up the economic loot and dividing it amongst the stakeholders according to political & ethnic lines. That's why Malaysia's economy has official % ratios determining how much of it, each ethnic group should own. We call it the social contract and a guarantee of peace and prosperity for all. Others call it racial discrimination, cronyism and institutional corruption.
On the other hand, Singapore believes that economics is a warzone, where friendly fire is healthy and some acceptable losses are inevitable. It believes that it's one's own fault if one should starve because of the lack of work hard. It is a country where top professionals and civil servants legitimately earn over a million dollars a year, but there is no social welfare, minimum wage or union labour agreements. Nothing describes Singapore better than the phrase... "to make an omelette, you have to break a few eggs."
So, Malaysia... are you an egg or an omelette?
Related posts below:
Singapore F1 GP - only a matter of time.
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Another Singapore Minister (for Comm Development, Youth & Sports) sounding positive on the Singapore F1 race.
Bernie Ecclestone met the Minister of Trade & Industry last week. This minister was also at the season opening Australian GP in Melbourne.
Previous Post below:
Bernie in Singapore to meet Minister over Singapore's F1 bid
Bernie's in Singapore right now and will meet Trade & Industry Minister, S Iswaran, before he flies off to Melbourne tomorrow. He's met one of the 2 local bidders as well. Nobody's making any press statements yet as there's still the small matter of the non-disclosure" agreement.
But I reckon he's here to finalise the deal and shake on it. Why else would Bernie even bother coming to the little red dot unless the deal was pretty much in the bag?
Hopefully a confirmation will be forthcoming in a day or two.
Previous posts:
Almost there but not quite. But with the govt having given (1) it's approval, (2) made a statement in parliament that the prospects are "good" and (3) agreeing to bankroll the bid as well,... I think we can start counting some chickens. Though they may not quite have hatched, you've gotta agree that we can see little beaks poking their way out of eggshells.
Minister of State for Trade and Industry S Iswaran said this in Parliament on Monday when responding to questions from MPs Teo Ser Luck and Liang Eng Hwa.Click the links below for related posts on Singapore F1 GP:
As such, he said the government is willing to support such a venture up to a level commensurate with the broader benefits to the economy.
Mr Iswaran added, "In response to Mr Teo and Mr Liang, I would say that the prospects are good, but there are still issues, such as the commercial terms to be struck between a potential race promoter and the F1 Group, the level of support required from the government, and the extent to which other stakeholders come forward with their support."
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/262158/1/.html
.. Singapore F1 GP - getting close... real close
.. Singapore... Monaco of the East?
.. The Proposed F1 Singapore GP Street Circuit
.. Singapore F1 - possibly Sept 2008 & a NIGHT race!
.. Singapore to have F1 Street Circuit? Sepang leh, how?
I really think Singapore is close to clinching the F1 GP deal. This sort of reporting is pretty rare in this city state if it is based on pure speculation. The tight laws and press controls will see to that.
The article, which appeared today in Singapore's Today newpaper claims that a confirmation may come as early as next week. The paper's source also claims that the race (starting 2008) is practically in the bag and all that's needed is an official announcement.
Other news reports:
Channel News Asia - 4 hours ago
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/261788/1/.html
So it is no surprise then when both F1 and A1 expressed their desire to stage a race here. Singapore authorities have yet to decide whether to accept either one or both offers.
But with growing interest, and benefits such as making the city more vibrant, some suggest Singapore could play host to both races.
Yahoo Finance SINGAPORE, March 2 (Reuters)Well, stay tuned to this blog. I'll make sure to post the official outcome as soon as it's announced.
Property firm Hotel Properties (HPPS.SI) rose as much as 15.8 percent to S$3.82, on market talk that the property firm has secured rights to host Formula One (F1) motor racing in Singapore, dealers said.
The firm could not be reached for comment on Friday.
Singapore... Monaco of the East?
The Proposed F1 Singapore GP Street Circuit
Singapore F1 - possibly Sept 2008 & a NIGHT race!
Singapore to have F1 Street Circuit? Sepang leh, how?
Singapore just might be hosting a F1 street circuit GP in the not so distant future. The argument for it :- if Monaco can do it, so can Singapore.
Having said that, the detractors have been taking time out from being constipated, to point out that Singapore is not Monaco. It doesn't have the heritage, the panache, the 5 figure flat rentals, the falling signboards that flatten numerous former F1 drivers each year on the streets of Monaco... And right they are. So, what is Monaco then?
Jeremy Clarksons MotorWorld - MonacoI think if Singapore plays its cards right (and admittedly, it has to get a very good hand), it has a fair chance of being the Monaco of the East. The Asian 1 million dollar club is growing at 5-10% per year. And the new rich, typically look for places to frolic, buy and spend. The moneyed Europeans and Americans do so in Monaco. But rich Asians can't quite flock to Monaco. Being Asian in Monaco is like going to tuxedo party in a white waistcoat. No matter how rich you are, everybody thinks you're the damn waiter.
The Home of the Grand Prix of Monte Carlo. And also of every major name of motorsport. Whats it like to live there? Find out.
Related posts:The Proposed F1 Singapore GP Street Circuit
