Singapore racing track being built.

[GrimReaper]

Can i buy the F1 shares too?

[ambasnakeman]

S'pore to announce decision on hosting F1 Grand Prix later Friday

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SINGAPORE: A decision on hosting the F1 Grand Prix in Singapore will be announced later Friday.

 

A news release from Singapore's Trade and Industry Ministry indicated that the decision on the race will be announced at a news conference called for 5pm.

 

Singapore wants to host a grand prix to boost tourism, and negotiations on the race have been ongoing together with Singaporean tycoon Ong Beng Seng and Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone.

 

Singapore is believed to have plans for either a race held at night or one that uses a street circuit.

 

Ecclestone has spoken of including night races in Asia on the F1 schedule as early as next season to boost TV audiences, especially in Europe.

 

Malaysia, which also hosts an F1 race, recently announced that it had won an extension to keep hosting the race until 2015, despite concerns about its course and the bid from Singapore.

 

Such concerns have so far been dismissed by officials in Singapore and across the Causeway, who have said that if the F1 comes to Singapore, it will be a complementary relationship with the Malaysian leg of the Grand Prix. - CNA/sf/ir

[ambasnakeman]

Motor racing-Singapore says to host Formula One race in 2008

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SINGAPORE, May 11 (Reuters) - Singapore will host a Formula One race in 2008, a government minister said on Friday.

 

S. Iswaran, Minister of State for Trade and Industry, told a press briefing that a first race could be held in September or October next year and might be a night race.

 

A Formula One night race would be the first in the world, although several Grand Prix drivers have spoken against it, citing safety concerns.

 

Singapore wants to host the Formula One [FOON.UL] race to attract more tourists and raise its profile abroad.

[rhema83]

I hope this is not a joke this time...

[fruitcakepablohoney]

Singapore will host its debut Formula One Grand Prix on a street circuit next year and the race may be the first held at night, officials announced today.

 

The tiny but affluent city-state will organise the first of five Grand Prix in either September or early October 2008, with an option to extend to 2017, trade and industry minister S. Iswaran told a briefing.

 

F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone said he was confident safety issues would be resolved to allow night-racing, a move designed to boost global TV ratings. "Yes," he said via video link from Barcelona, when asked if the Singapore Grand Prix would be a night event.

 

Iswaran said hosting an F1 race will bring Singapore closer to its ambition of becoming a 'vibrant, global city,' adding that the race is estimated to generate about 100 million Singapore dollars (66 million US) a year in incremental receipts.

 

The regional financial centre with a somewhat staid reputation is set to open its first casino being built by Las Vegas Sands in 2009. Iswaran said the Grand Prix, around the downtown Marina Bay district, could 'potentially' be held at night if safety can be assured.

 

"Safety is of paramount importance to all of us. Therefore we will proceed with a night race only if the safety and operational requirements of all parties...

 

are fully met," he said. "If not we will revert to a day race format."

 

Mark Webber praised the proposed Singapore street circuit after testing it in March, but said more research was needed into night racing. The Australian said organisers would have to look into lighting and the effect of rain, which could create glare in dark conditions.

 

Iswaran said Singapore GP Pte Ltd, a company controlled by hotel tycoon Ong Beng Seng, has secured the hosting rights for five years starting in 2008, with the option of renewing for another five years. He said the Singapore Tourism Board had evaluated the event and deemed it 'worthy' of the government's support.

 

The F1 race will be on a 4.8 kilometre (three-mile) street route proposed by designer Hermann Tilke. Monaco already hosts a street race and Spain's Valencia will also hold Grand Prix on an urban circuit from next year.

[fruitcakepablohoney]

Contrary to earlier reports, Bernie Ecclestone confirmed on Friday that the first Singapore Grand Prix will be staged at night.

 

"As a night race we anticipate it will quickly establish itself as one of the most dramatic and atmospheric races on our calendar," he said.

 

In explaining that the event towards the end of next year's calendar would be the 'first ever' night race, the F1 supremo also hinted that talks to also stage the season opening Australian Grand Prix under lights next year had not been successful.

 

Night events are relatively common place in NASCAR, Champ Car and IndyCar.

[fruitcakepablohoney]

Malaysia's Grand Prix will not be affected by Singapore winning the right to host a race, the head of the Sepang circuit said today.

 

Singapore today announced that it had won the right to hold a Grand Prix, which will be held either in September or early October on a street circuit.

 

"I congratulate Singapore on joining the club of Formula One hosts. Next year will be their first year and it will be our tenth," Mokhzani Mahathir, Chairman of the Sepang International Circuit, told AFP.

 

"The people in Southeast Asia will have a chance to see both now, a city street circuit and ours, which is a race circuit, so it will be interesting," he said.

 

Malaysia's sports minister Azalina Othman said last month said there should only be one F1 race in Southeast Asia, but Mokhzani said the development would promote the sport.

 

"It will not affect F1 in Malaysia, instead it will promote F1 in the region," said Mokhzani. "Theirs... will be towards the end of the year and ours will be at the beginning, so we will get to see how the season starts and ends," he added.

 

Last month Mokhzani announced that Malaysia had won the right to host Formula One races until 2015.

 

E.A.

[Tortise]

haha it's an open invitation to people to compare the quality of street racing as opposed to a closed-circuit racing

[spy622]

the Head of Sepang is right...when talking about competition both parties will bound to knock each other head on but when talking about cooperation then it will be a win win situation.

 

I was working in the travel trade for a period time...such events are $$ making bizz..especially if any1 had been to F1 we are talking about a viewer ship of a estimated fig of 300000 n out from the fig how many are supporters and foreigners who flew in specially for this event cum holiday...with 2 neighboring countries in SEA hosting the event it will give visitors more reasons to take that break buy the ticket n appear in both countries for the races..Accesscibility between the 2 countries is as easy as ABC, major airlines lands at both airports. 1 can always land in Spore n head up n come back dwn or vice versa...

 

So now that it is firm up it depends on which companies out there are eager to jump into the bandwagon and earn some $$ fast.

[GrimReaper]

I want Le Changi Gudang....

[lowiq30]

  Quote

Originally posted by fruitcakepablohoney@May 11, 2007 09:46 pm

Contrary to earlier reports, Bernie Ecclestone confirmed on Friday that the first Singapore Grand Prix will be staged at night.

 

"As a night race we anticipate it will quickly establish itself as one of the most dramatic and atmospheric races on our calendar," he said.

 

In explaining that the event towards the end of next year's calendar would be the 'first ever' night race, the F1 supremo also hinted that talks to also stage the season opening Australian Grand Prix under lights next year had not been successful.

 

Night events are relatively common place in NASCAR, Champ Car and IndyCar.

for Singapore.

[jeffchua]

  Quote

Originally posted by GrimReaper@May 12, 2007 12:01 pm

I want Le Changi Gudang....

Yup!!! I wanna noe if Changi is going to build the track anot.... Still no news yet. scare will be like last time, say say liao then in the end call off.....

[ambasnakeman]

S'poreans, tourists welcome F1 race in Singapore

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SINGAPORE : Singaporeans and tourists have said they are excited to have an F1 Grand Prix here.

 

Many say a Grand Prix street race through the city will further boost Singapore as a key holiday destination in Asia.

 

Shopping and other attractions already draw in millions of tourists to Singapore.

 

But all eyes will be on the F1 Grand Prix street race to be held in the heart of the city in 2008.

 

One visitor said, "Yeah that's what we're waiting for, because we've got a couple of years in Singapore so we hope to go when it comes here."

 

Another tourist added, "...two years (ago), it was in Turkey. But we couldn't go. Maybe next year we can come here to Singapore to watch it."

 

A third commented, "It's an exciting place to be, Singapore, and to have F1 here would make it even more exciting. "

 

Yet another said, "It's close to Brunei I can fly over here."

 

The last time Singapore had a Grand Prix was in the 1960s.

 

It was held in a street circuit at Upper Thomson, away from the business district.

 

With one to be held in the heart of the city at the Marina Bay area, all eyes will be on the organisers to see how the F1 race will be a smooth and unforgettable one for both the racers and the audience.

 

Many Singaporeans are also looking forward to seeing world-renowned racers and their hot wheels in the flesh in Singapore.

 

One Singaporean said, "I would hope to attend an F1 race and attend a winning team party."

 

Commenting on its attraction, another said, "I think it's the crowd, the people, the racers, especially the F1 cars."

 

A third commented, "I used to go up to Sepang in Malaysia to see (the race). But it's just too tedious to keep going up there. So it's good that they're having it here."

 

And they will not have to wait too long; the F1 race is expected to take place in Singapore later next year. - CNA/ms

[ambasnakeman]

Revised Singapore F1 GP route is a better one: expert

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SINGAPORE : The revised Singapore F1 GP route is a better one for drivers and less disruptive for businesses, says a sports commentator.

 

F1 commentator Steve Slater says it is faster, with fewer sharp turns and bends.

 

The revised track which is also longer, 5.2 kilometres instead of the earlier 4.8 km was unveiled at Friday's media conference announcing Singapore's entry into the F1 next year.

 

Our reporter went along with Mr Slater to check out the track.

 

Duck Tour amphibious vehicles are currently the only traffic plying the Marina Promenade.

 

But in 16 months, the pace will pick up as the F1 cars will be speeding along there at a new purpose built road.

 

A new part of the track will now be the start and finish of the race, including the pitlanes and grandstand.

 

Steve points out that the changes to the route are also better for racing.

 

He said: "It has taken away some very slow very tight corners, which really didn't have a part in the Singapore circuit. And the track now has got 3 or 4 straights where speeds of 250 km/h, and probably as high as 300 km/h will be attained."

 

Some of these slow corners were around the Suntec Fountain of Wealth.

 

By removing them, another problem has also been solved.

 

Steve said: "Certainly the way that the track is laid out now takes it away from the big business area like Suntec City which had a big commercial foothold. The traffic there still will be traffic issues, I'm sure, but the traffic will flow a little bit more smoothly."

 

After the Marina Promenade, the F1 cars will whizz past the new Singapore Flyer.

 

They then drive around the new spectator stands of the floating platform, and head towards the Esplanade.

 

The track continues with a ride along Anderson bridge, and then it is on to the Padang.

 

But instead of going around the Swissotel Hotel, the cars will turn right into Stamford Road, then left into Nicoll Highway and back into Suntec.

 

After this long stretch, there are more overtaking opportunities at Republic Boulevard, which is another new part of the track.

 

Then they finally return to the new road to be built at the Marina Promenade, for the chequered flag. - CNA/ch

[Guest KISS]

The F1 race being held here may be exciting, but it still doesn't meets our goals and dreams of having a track being built here.

[ambasnakeman]

singapore always test water first la.....why built a track if can use road first.

 

then hopefully, mr eccelstone will say facilities in singapore damn good.....but will prefer a track....and also hopefully, singapore gets alot of money when test water.....

 

as much as i would love to see a track in singapore, i just think is gonna take forever.

[R46]

  Quote

Originally posted by ambasnakeman@May 14, 2007 11:37 pm

singapore always test water first la.....why built a track if can use road first.

 

then hopefully, mr eccelstone will say facilities in singapore damn good.....but will prefer a track....and also hopefully, singapore gets alot of money when test water.....

 

as much as i would love to see a track in singapore, i just think is gonna take forever.

I heard the other time there are going to bulit 1 at tuas still no news.

[fruitcakepablohoney]

Tuas can kiss goodbye!

 

Since it's going to be a street circuit for the next 5 years!

 

I know comfirm sure to have some kinda car support race like Carrera Cup etc.

 

Hope they can have a bike support race!

[GrimReaper]

If was to be a billionare in my next birth. Pls come up to me and remind me to build a track. heheheh.

 

Hope you guys catch my drift. I think we would have died by the time the track is to be built in singapore. Govt won't put money for track. Must be Privately built track. Singapore want entrepreneurs. So they won't help one.

[Guest KISS]

I have lived thru 4 proposals from 1986 to build a race track.

 

First, it was beside Bedok Camp, then near Changi South (presently Laguna), then Tuas, now near Changi naval base.

[ambasnakeman]

  Quote

Originally posted by fruitcakepablohoney@May 15, 2007 10:05 am

Tuas can kiss goodbye!

 

Since it's going to be a street circuit for the next 5 years!

 

I know comfirm sure to have some kinda car support race like Carrera Cup etc.

 

Hope they can have a bike support race!

like macau?

[ambasnakeman]

F1's flagged off, but some hotels are stuck at the start line

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SINGAPORE: Early-bird fans rushing to book a front-row hotel view of Singapore’s inaugural Formula One (F1) race next year face a major roadblock.

 

A check with eight major hotels lining the proposed race circuit in the Marina Bay area showed that they are not taking confirmed bookings for next September and October.

 

The main reason: The hotels cannot yet determine their room rates, as the race dates have not been fixed.

 

Six hotels have blocked out the entire two months and will not be taking any bookings until rates are firmed up. Two more — the Conrad Centennial Singapore and Raffles Hotel — will accept tentative reservations pending the new rates.

 

Those that have blocked off their calendars following last Friday’s F1 announcement include The Oriental Singapore, the Marina Mandarin Singapore and the Swissotel The Stamford Singapore.

 

The Pan Pacific Hotel — which will honour bookings already made for that period — said it would note the names of interested customers and update them when rates are available. The Ritz-Carlton Millenia Singapore said it only takes reservations up to 11 months in advance.

 

But over at The Fullerton Singapore, which is also not taking any confirmed bookings, a group of customers have already put themselves on a waiting list. In response to queries, the hotel merely confirmed it had set aside “a fair number of rooms” for the F1 season.

 

In general, industry sources told TODAY that while they were happy about Singapore having been chosen to host the race, they were caught off guard by the high F1 cess of up to 30 per cent.

 

The Government explained last week that the additional cess would be applied on a graduated scale: Hotels with the best view of the circuit will pay the full 30 per cent, while those farther away will pay less.

 

Hotel operators say the cess could eat into a big portion of their profit-margins and may force them to push room rates to a new high.

 

During the International Monetary Fund and World Bank meetings last September, which saw 16,000 delegates converging here, hotels nearest to the venue at Suntec Singapore almost doubled their standard room rates to about $440 per night.

 

Experts say the estimated 35,000 overseas visitors projected for the F1 event will certainly put a strain on room supply and drive up rates.

 

“It will really depend on how popular the F1 will be, but I don’t think the number of hotels will be enough,” said Mr Colin Tan, head of research and consultancy with Chesterton International.

 

And the impact will be much greater when the integrated resorts are completed by end-2009 or early-2010. Said Mr Tan: “Visitors will probably stay on and visit the integrated resorts. As a result of the shortage of rooms in the area, there could be a spill-over into hotels outside the CBD.”

 

Meanwhile, news of Singapore hosting F1 gave trading on the stockmarket a boost yesterday. The ST Index rose 5 per cent to cross the psychologically-important 3,500 mark.

 

“Cathay Pacific benefited from the Olympics and we’re going to see the same effects on Singapore Airlines and the tourism sector. This has a spill-over effect on the general economy in terms of overall confidence of the consumers and of the people, and on spending,” Mr Leslie Phang, head of Investments (Asia) at the Commonwealth Private Bank, told Channel NewsAsia. - Additional reporting by Daphne Chuah - /fa

[Hartholomew]

Eh Snakeman, you working for The Straits Times or what!?

[ambasnakeman]

more like must get clearance from me, before news get publicised.......

 

so, on the track gets the news first.

 

this is absolute BULLSHIT

[ambasnakeman]

Race is on to get strategic spots to catch F1 GP

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SINGAPORE: As hotel rates are likely to skyrocket and premium tickets out-of-reach for the average F1 fan, people are starting to scout for alternative locations in Singapore to view the race.

 

Marina Square Shopping Centre's second level is a great spot to see the cars hurtling on one of the longer stretches, Raffles Boulevard.

 

Millenia Walk also provides grandstand seating at no cost.

 

The Food Court at Marina Square offers a spectacular view of the cars coming out of the floating platform area next to the Esplanade.

 

Those working around the Suntec area will also have a chance to catch the cars, without leaving their offices.

 

One company on the 29th floor of Centennial Tower has a bird's eye view of some parts of the race, including the new section at Marina Promenade and the Singapore Flyer.

 

Gilbert Kwek, GM, Sales and Marketing, DaimlerChrysler, Southeast Asia, said: "Our staff and the sales people will have a party in the office. All round our offices, you can probably see certain parts of the track, so most of the staff are actually quite excited about it and they intend to have a party in the office during the race season."

 

More private parties can also be expected at The Fullerton Waterboat House where fans can catch the action against a scenic backdrop like Esplanade Drive and the Anderson Bridge.

 

It is also understood that some corporations are willing to spend S$400 per person to book the restaurant for their guests.

 

- CNA/so