Few worries about lighting

Experts note that other factors, such as rain or a technical glitch, could affect Singapore GP more

The Straits Times, May 14, 2007
by Terrence Voon

AS SINGAPORE gears up to host Formula One's first night race next year, two questions remain: How will the lights be turned on and how safe will the race be?
Organisers here are already working with lighting experts on how to illuminate the street circuit.

According to Steve Slater, an F1 commentator on ESPN STAR Sports, fans hungry for details can look to horse racing for an idea of how bright the lights will be.

'I think the closest possible parallel to night racing here is the Singapore Airlines International Cup next week at Kranji,' he said.

He also believes that the lighting for the Singapore race will be similar to what drivers have already experienced at the Monaco Grand Prix.

'The Monaco race has a section which goes under a tunnel. That tunnel has very little natural lighting, so the high level of artificial lighting there is going to be similar to what we will see in Singapore,' he said.

At Friday's Singapore GP press conference, F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone brushed aside scepticism that a night race would succeed here.

But F1 drivers, faced with the prospect of a night race in an urban setting for the first time, insist that there is plenty of work to be done.

BMW-Sauber driver Nick Heidfeld, for instance, is worried the lights may go out in the middle of a race, reported the Associated Press.

'The lighting system has to work perfectly... because it is not like a soccer game, where if the lights turn off, nothing happens. But if you are doing 300 kmh, then it is a bit more of a problem,' he said at the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona yesterday.

Red Bull driver Mark Webber, who was in Singapore to test the 5.2-km circuit last month, urged organisers to look at other issues beyond lighting.

He said: 'I think you could light the place up, but it is a question of the rain and the other bits and bobs that can take over embarrassingly if you don't do your homework.'

Malaysian Alex Yoong, who raced for Minardi in 2002, agreed that rain would be a bigger problem for organisers to grapple with.

'There has to be good drainage, and they have to be careful of the positioning of the lights - to reduce the glare off any puddles,' he warned.

Lessons can be drawn from the United States, where Nascar races are often held in stadiums at night.

Night racing is also not new to Singapore.

Singapore Motor Sports Association president Tan Teng Lip pointed out that small-scale night sprints were held at the National Stadium car park several years ago.

'We brought in special lighting from contractors, and there was no problem,' he said.

'Of course, our cars have headlights, whereas F1 cars will have to depend fully on race lights.'

Tan admits that while night racing will be a great spectacle, there will be many challenges ahead.

He said: 'It's a great idea and it makes for a dramatic race - provided the safety issues are resolved.

'My concern is the safety of the drivers and even the race marshals.'

But Yoong believes that there is nothing to be afraid of.

'I've driven at night in several races, including Le Mans, and it really isn't so bad,' he said. 'In fact, I approached night races as I would any ordinary race in the day.'

While plenty of work lies ahead before the big flag-off in Singapore next year, Slater is confident that organisers have already covered all their bases.

'I don't think Formula One and Singapore would have dared to announce this if they hadn't done their research,' he said.

'F1 is the most technically-developed sport in the world, and if there's any country that could do it, Singapore can.'