Singapore’s bid to host Formula One’s first night race has entered the final straight, with only a few more obstacles to be overcome.

Singapore’s bid to host Formula One’s first night race has entered the final straight, with only a few more obstacles to be overcome.

Recent trials of night-time racing in France were a success, and two more all-important trials - one in Singapore and one overseas - are expected to be held soon.

Approval for a night race must be given from motorsports’ governing body, the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA).

A decision is expected to be taken after the trials, which are to be held within the next few weeks.

Yesterday, Trade and Industry Minister Lim Hng Kiang expressed optimism that the green light will be given soon.
‘The various tests and various assessments have been going on track, so we’re fairly confident,’ he said at a ground-breaking ceremony for the pit building - where the cars will be refuelled and have their tyres changed during the race - along Raffles Boulevard.

F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone is pushing for several night races on the calendar - especially in Asia - to increase television viewership figures in North America and Europe.

But teams and drivers have given mixed responses to the idea.

Many are apprehensive about the safety aspects. Race cars, which can hit speeds of more than 300kmh, cannot be fitted with headlights - they affect aerodynamics, which are all-important in a sport where a tenth of a second makes a major difference.

They also add weight to cars, slowing them down.

Track lighting, therefore, will have to replicate daytime conditions, and this is difficult and costly to do.

But Mr Lim added that the Republic would go all out to assure the FIA and drivers that a night event would be safe.

‘We’re very committed to the idea of a night race and we will do whatever is in our powers to facilitate it,’ he said.

Singapore’s first F1 race will be held at the Marina Bay area on Sept 28 next year. Testing and qualifying is expected to begin on Sept 26.

The race - along with several new attractions, such as the Singapore Flyer - is expected to further boost tourism in Singapore, which hit record levels in July.

Yesterday, Mr Lim revealed that 951,000 visitors arrived in Singapore that month, an increase of 103,000 over June.

Many were drawn by a new tourism programme that started on July 23 to draw visitors here on weekends.

On the F1 front, Singapore Tourism Board (STB) deputy chairman and chief executive Lim Neo Chian said the country hit a ‘milestone’ yesterday with the ground-breaking ceremony for the pit building, which will be the nerve centre for the race.

The three-storey, $33 million facility, parallel to the Marina Bay waterfront, will house key infrastructure such as the exclusive Paddock Club and 36 garages for the 12 F1 teams.

The building’s glass facade will also offer high-end guests views of the track’s starting straight and pit-lane action.

It will also house race-control facilities, commentary booths, a media centre, the winners’ podium and a rooftop terrace.

In non-race months, it is likely to be used for hosting corporate functions. Its environmentally-sustainable design also meets Green Mark certification.

Said STB’s Mr Lim: ‘Over the next few months, more pieces will gradually come together as we plan the biggest leisure event Singapore has ever hosted.

‘There is still a lot more work to be done.

‘But we can all look forward with some excitement that, in a little over a year, we can come back to this same spot to witness the crowning of the Singapore GP’s first champion.’


Source : Straits Times - 01 sept 2007