F1 RACING COUNTDOWN
GO-KART RACES IN HEARTLANDS?
The New Paper on Sunday has learnt that there are plans to run a series of professional go-kart racing events as curtain-raisers for next September's Formula One race, which will take place in the Marina Bay area.This comes just weeks after Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong rolled out plans for Punggol 21+ in his National Day Rally speech.
The go-kart racing could be on as early as November, starting Singapore's countdown to F1.
During a go-kart event last month at Sengkang East Way, MP Teo Ser Luck, Parliamentary Secretary for Community Development, Youth and Sports, hinted: 'We can't bring Formula One cars to the heartland, but we can create awareness of car racing and F1 and give residents a taste with go-karts.'
CARNIVAL ATMOSPHERE
The difference between the Sengkang event and the upcoming ones is that this series of events will take on a more family-oriented, carnival-like atmosphere, with food stalls and games.
The New Paper on Sunday understands that the initial events will feature professional go-kart racing (or prokarting) on roads which will be closed to traffic.
According to go-kart websites, special models used on purpose-built race circuits can boast up to 900BHP (brake horsepower, a unit measuring the power of a car's engine) and a top speed of up to 300kmh.
They can go from 0 to 100kmh in about 4 seconds - similar to a Ferrari F430.
A regular 1.6L saloon car has a BHP of about 110, and takes more than 10 seconds to get to 100kmh.
It is not known what kind of go-karts will be used during the race events here.
When contacted, Mr Teo, who is on the steering committee for the Singapore Grand Prix, declined to elaborate on the plans but hinted at 'several firsts'.
In a telephone interview from Dalian, China, where he was attending a World Economic Forum meeting, he said: 'Before the end of the year, there will be go-kart carnivals in the heartlands.
'Prokarting basically means going really fast on small vehicles...
'There won't just be one (event) but potentially several in different places.'
Asked if real cars may take the place of go-karts during these public road racing events, he said: 'We start small. As for real cars, it really depends.'
Will it be in Punggol? After all, Mr Teo is MP for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC.
He laughed, but would not confirm it.
Apart from raising the excitement for residents at housing estates, Mr Teo added that these events will help raise awareness of next year's F1 races.
BYE BYE, ROADBLOCKS
'I didn't think this would be possible. There were so many roadblocks. But now it's materialising before my eyes,' he said.
During the upcoming events, the main draw will be racing by professionals, but there will be ample opportunities for the public to try their hand at the sport.
Car-lovers may also be able to show-off - if not race - their souped-up vehicles at static displays at the carnivals.
There are also plans to fly in actual F1cars for display.
Car enthusiast Daniel Lee, 29, who is looking forward to the F1 races, felt these events would act as an appetiser.
'I've watched prokarting competitions in Australia, and they're thrilling. Hopefully, there will be international racers,' he said.
'It's great if they're thinking of getting some real F1 cars in for people to take a close look.'
Madam Irene Loh, 47, hopes the event will come to her Yishun neighbourhood even though she doesn't know a lot about cars.
The shipping executive said: 'My husband and two children will definitely enjoy the races, and it gives me a chance to find out what the big deal is. Anyway, any carnival is always fun to attend.'
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