Singapore F1 circuit gets the go-ahead

Construction, repaving work will begin soon to get track ready for race

The Straits Times, September 29, 2007
by Leonard Lim


SINGAPORE'S Formula One street circuit has been given the green light from the authorities.

The International Automobile Federation (FIA) has granted in-principle approval for the 5.067-kilometre Marina Bay circuit, meaning construction work can now be speeded up ahead of the race.

At a press conference yesterday to mark the one-year countdown to the Singapore Grand Prix - the race takes place on Sept 28 next year - Minister of State (Trade and Industry) S. Iswaran said the track is all but set.

'The only thing now is they would want to look at details in terms of how the track is being prepared before they give final approval,' he said.

'But I'd say we can take it as more or less that this is the circuit for 2008.'

Like all other F1 circuits, the full circuit licence will be granted during the final FIA inspection during the week of the race. The Singapore track is likely to be completed by May, ahead of the 90-day pre-race requirement stipulated by the FIA.

RELATED LINKS
Where the action is
The 61-lap circuit will run in an anti-clockwise direction - one of the main changes since the circuit was first introduced in May. This is so there will be more run-off areas: Sections of the circuit that allow more space for overtaking and also ensure that cars which over-accelerate have a lesser chance of skidding off the track.

The Singapore track is one of only three on the F1 circuit that runs counter-clockwise. The others are in Istanbul and Sao Paulo.

There are a number of must-see stretches along the Singapore circuit.

Raffles Boulevard is one - it is where cars are likely to reach top speeds of over 300kmh.

Another is at Turn 14, just in front of the Fullerton Hotel.

Approaching the 97-year-old Anderson Bridge, the drivers will have to slow their cars down from about 200kmh to about 90kmh in a matter of seconds - before accelerating to speeds of close to 300kmh again.

Said Mr Colin Syn, deputy chairman of race organisers Singapore GP: 'After months of poring over the drawing board, we are now one step closer to our dream.'

But more work lies ahead.

Road works, expected to start next month, will be a top priority. These will include the widening of Raffles Boulevard (between the Pan Pacific Hotel and Marina Square), the construction of a new 1.2km road for the start/finish line, and the removal of some kerbs.

Repaving the entire stretch will also have to be done, and this might cause the most inconvenience to traffic, with work expected to last about four months. But the Land Transport Authority said that work is likely to be done at night, and in segments, to minimise traffic disruption to a busy area.

Up next: Organisers are now awaiting the go-ahead to host F1's first night race. Approval is expected in a few weeks.