Singapore GP will be a stunning spectacle

The Straits Times, May 12, 2007
By Steve Slater


F1 race will earn the Republic recognition as one of the world's great sporting locations

NO CONFINES LIKE MONACO: The Singapore Grand Prix circuit is likely to have flat-out sections that will allow the cars to reach speeds close to 300kmh.





IT HAS been a long time coming but, in the words of Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone himself, the Singapore Grand Prix is a 'win-win' event.

Formula One wins because it gains a spectacular new venue.

And, if everything drops into place, it will have an even more spectacular new night-race format.

It is a real boost to the F1 calendar.

Singapore wins too.

Hosting a Formula One Grand Prix places it on the map as one of the world's great sporting locations.

Given Singapore's ability to add yet more value, I will happily bet that it will be one of the world's 'must watch' sporting events of 2008.

And that is before we get to the estimated $100 million in revenue that visitors are set to bring in.

Yes, I speak as a died-in-the-wool motorsports enthusiast.

But I really think that this event will make Singapore leap in global recognition.

Imagine the cost of placing an advertisement on every major TV network in the world showing how great Singapore looks. It would be prohibitively expensive.

Yet, the global coverage of the Singapore Grand Prix will effectively be a TV commercial, lasting two hours.

Singapore has already set the sporting world buzzing with its announcement that the race could be held at night.

It is, of course, subject to a further series of tests.

Quite rightly, the Grand Prix organisers and Formula One will demand the highest levels of safety and security before they commit to the new format.

Even if the race is held during the day, it will look and sound fantastic.

Imagine the shriek of the V8 engines, along with the reflections, bouncing off the glass walls of the buildings along Raffles Boulevard.

Then there is the dash across the bridge on Esplanade Drive, followed by the near-hairpin bend at the Fullerton Hotel and the squeeze across the Anderson Bridge.

What a track!

The Singapore circuit is going to be very different to most people's perceptions of a street circuit, which are based on the very tight confines of the Monaco track.

Do not forget that it was first developed in the 1920s. While it has got a great atmosphere, as a race track, it is hopeless.

In contrast, Singapore is going to have some really quick, flat-out sections, such as the Raffles Boulevard, which will see the cars getting close to 300kmh.

There are likely to be some great overtaking opportunities, such as at the end of Republic Boulevard.

And the first corner of the lap will be right in front of the Singapore Flyer. Now, that is a great place to watch the race.

It all sounds great, then imagine watching it at night - with the shining backdrop of the city.

If anything, it will be twice the spectacle, complete with red-hot glowing brake discs and flashes of flame from the exhaust pipes.

It will be a stunning spectacle.

Most importantly, the track is right in the heart of the city. And, assuming that tickets are priced at the right level, it has more potential than any other race to become a 'people's Grand Prix'.

While we cannot all aspire to be on one of the millionaires' yachts in the Marina, the track has the potential to offer lots of viewing opportunities.

I'm sure too that the event will turn into a week-long festival, ensuring that the Singapore Grand Prix becomes 'the Singaporean's Grand Prix'.

Let us make it happen.



Steve Slater is the expert half of the popular F1 commentary duo on STAR Sports. He has been involved in the sport at many levels including as journalist, race-organiser, radio broadcaster and now, commentator.