Street circuit gets FIA nod, LTA awards $18m contracts
SINGAPORE'S street circuit for next year's Formula 1 race has gotten the green light from the world motor sport body, and this is a signal for work to begin next month.
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has awarded a total of $18 million of contracts for three major works around the 5-km circuit, the design of which has received in-principle approval from the Federation Internationale de L'Automobile (FIA).
The road along Raffles Boulevard, from Nicoll Highway to Temasek Avenue, will be widened by one lane. Existing roads in the city centre along the F1 track will also be modified with road kerbs and traffic islands removed.
A new 1.2-km road off Republic Boulevard will also be built. It will form part of the start and finish straights on the track.
After the races end, a section of the new road, linked to Republic Boulevard, will open for daily traffic use.
The promenade, fronting the seating gallery of the Marina Bay Floating Platform, will also be widened, and a new road added.
Marking the one-year countdown on Friday to the race start next year, Minister of State for Trade and Industry S Iswaran said all government agencies, including the LTA, are committed to "minimising the disruption" for road users.
The LTA said information on traffic diversions will be provided and road works carried out during non-peak hours, where possible. The road works are expected to be completed next May.
The FIA will make several inspections in the coming months and issue the full circuit licence after the final inspection on the week of the race itself.
According to Singapore Tourism Board (STB) director Leong Yue Kheong, organisers expect between 100,000 and 130,000 ticket-holding spectators on each race day. Several spectator stands are being planned at the Padang facing City Hall, and at the first turn of the circuit at Republic Boulevard.
But organisers are also drawing up plans in anticipation of crowd sizes surging beyond 130,000. Plans include designating drop-off points for public transport, and staging post-race events that will stagger movements out of the area. The STB is looking into concerts headlined by top acts as part of the fringe activities.
The Singapore Grand Prix — one of only three race circuits with Istanbul in Turkey and Sao Paulo in Brazil on next year's F1 calendar to run anti-clockwise — will be the 15th stop on the 18-leg calendar.
Mr Iswaran told reporters that organisers were approaching "the last mile" in finding out whether Singapore's race will be the first night race in F1 history.
The organisers have begun lighting trials at overseas circuits. If given the approval to run a night race here, they will start conducting lighting trials here next May on the start and finish straights.
SIGN UP AS RACE MARSHALLS
An estimated 1,000 people will be involved in ensuring the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix will run smoothly, and you could be part of the action. Trials to select volunteers for the Sept 28 event will be conducted soon.
“We’re looking at training about 1,000 people, including race marshalls,” said Singapore GP director (media and communications) Jonathan Hallett, 45.
“The trainers could come from Australia, and we want to train them not just for next year, but for subsequent years as well.”
Details of the training programme, conducted by the Singapore Sports Council, Singapore Motor Sports Association, and Singapore GP, are expected to be announced early next month.
It is likely to last at least two months, and could include stints at current F1 stops, such as Malaysia, China and Japan.
Said Mr Hallett: “It is important that Singapore develops its own pool of qualified race marshalls and other officials to run races, and train new ones.”
Singapore will host the event for five years from next year. Those interesting in helping out as volunteers can email info@singaporegp.sg. Visit www.singaporegp.sg for details
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