Preparations for the first-ever night race in FORMULA 1™ history have been steadily building up with in-principle approval received for the Singapore street circuit, as well as the bespoke state-of-the-art lighting system. The biggest sports event the Republic has ever hosted, the inaugural FORMULA 1TM SingTel Singapore Grand Prix is set to be a truly unique event when the cars line up on the starting grid on 28 September 2008.

A year exactly before the race, Singapore received in-principle approval from the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) on 28 September 2007,  for the proposed 5.067km-long street circuit that will offer multiple overtaking opportunities as well as fast and challenging turns.

Set against the spectacular Singapore skyline, spectators will get a close-up view of the garden city as the circuit passes historic landmarks such as the City Hall and modern buildings along the Marina Bay, such as the Esplanade. With speeds expected to reach 300km per hour along portions of the circuit, spectators are assured a thrilling race and drivers a genuine challenge.

Deputy Chairman of Singapore GP, Mr Colin Syn, commented, “We have pulled out all the stops to ensure that the teams and spectators get a first-class experience at the inaugural FORMULA 1TM SingTel Singapore Grand Prix come September 2008. The street circuit will ensure that the visitors are right in the heart of the racing action. It is also minutes away from the Marina Bay’s shopping, accommodation, entertainment and fine dining districts – further enhancing the whole race day experience for all the visitors.

Lighting specialists Valerio Maioli S.p.a. of Ravenna, Italy, have designed a bespoke, state-of-the-art lighting system to deliver optimal visibility for night race conditions. The system minimises glare and reflections from a wet surface or spray from cars by using lighting projectors strategically positioned on one side of the track.  

The logistical set up is vast - 108,423m of power cables, 240 steel pylons and around 1,500 light projectors will be used, with a total power requirement of over three giga-watts.  At 3000lux levels, the lighting will be four times brighter than the lights at sports stadiums.

Seen as the Monaco of the East, the FORMULA 1™ SingTel Singapore Grand Prix promises to be the highlight of the social calendar both in Singapore as well as across Asia.

Spectators are bound to be spellbound by the exhilarating views of the heritage backdrop in the comfort of the luxurious hospitality facilities located at strategic points around the circuit. With hospitality suites and grandstand seating lining the track, everyone will be ensured of a great view of the action and an unforgettable experience.

Three-day corporate hospitality suites and packages went on sale in late November 2007.  The deluxe suites, fully equipped with personable service and fine food and beverage can cater for 10 to 50 people.  For general ticketing, sales of three-day passes start in mid-January 2008, followed by single-day passes that will be released for sale in February, subject to available inventory.  All interested parties are encouraged to visit the official Singapore GP website (www.singaporegp.sg) for more details and to register their interest.

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Fact Sheet      

Official Title     2008 FORMULA 1TM SingTel Singapore Grand Prix  b  About FORMULA 1™ Singapore Grand Prix:  The inaugural FORMULA 1TM SingTel Singapore Grand Prix will take place on 28 September 2008 on a street circuit of public roads around the Marina Bay area. The race is the 15th round of the 2008 FORMULA 1™ race calendar and includes a bespoke state-of-the-art lighting system that delivers optimal visibility for night race conditions.

The race will be the first in Formula 1™ history held at night and is the first FORMULA 1™ street race to be held in Asia.  Positioned as the Monaco of the East, it is the most anticipated race on the 2008 Grand Prix calendar.Official website:    www.singaporegp.sgVenue:    Marina Bay – in the heart of Singapore – just minutes from 5-star hotels, the MRT underground system, the bustling business district and historic landmarks such as City Hall and The Padang which form part of Singapore’s heritage hub. Start time:    2000 hours (local time)  Title sponsor:  SingTel, Asia’s leading telecommunications company.  Race Promoter:     Singapore GP Pte Ltd Sanctioning Body:   Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA)  Expected attendance:     80,000 spectators   Ticketing: 3-day Corporate hospitality packages were first released on 28 November 2007, to be followed by 3-Day general passes in mid-January 2008.  1-day ticket sales will commence before Chinese New Year, in February 2008.     Track description Track length:    5.067km  / 3.148 miles*  Race direction:  Anti-clockwise  Number of turns :  24, consisting of 14 left turns and 10 right turns  Maximum speed: In excess of 300kph Slowest corner: 80 – 100 kph  Overtaking opportunities:   Turn 1: Pit StraightTurn 7: Raffles Boulevard Turn 15: Esplanade Drive  Track design consultant:   Kellogg Brown & Root Pty Ltd, Australia Number of laps:   61*   Race Distance: 308.95 km*   (*Info subject to FIA confirmation)   (If you are a maths whizz and HAVE calculated that the race distance is incorrect (5.067 x 61 = 309.087 km), here is the reason:The start and finish lines aren’t in the same places. The start line is at the beginning of the straight, while the finish line is somewhere close to the middle of the straight - hence the difference.) Lighting System    Power   3,180,000 watt Track Projectors  1,485 @ 2,000 watt each Power Generators  12 (twin-power) Power Cables  108, 423m Overall Luminosity    3000lux levels (four times brighter than a sports stadium) Set up   2 to 3 months, from second quarter of 2008