Catching Formula One Race In High Style

Source : The Business Times, December 7, 2007

Grandstands will also be set up in the S'pore Flyer Garden

FORMULA One (F1) fans hoping for a bird's eye view of the inaugural Singapore Grand Prix can opt to watch it from the 165-metre tall Singapore Flyer.

The $240 million Flyer observation wheel, which is expected to open on March 1, 2008, can hold 28 guests in each of its 28 capsules, translating to 784 passengers for every half-hour long ride.

Singapore GP has forged a land-use and ticketing partnership with the Flyer under which Singapore GP will establish grandstands with adjoining marquees, lifestyle areas, entertainment and F&B outlets in the Singapore Flyer Garden and adjoining areas facing the track.

The grandstands - reserved for corporate buyers - will be standalone private buildings as opposed to a single large one.

Details are still being hammered out, but Flyer general manager David Beevers reckons ticket prices for corporate boxes in the Flyer Promenade could go between $3,500 to $4,500 each over the three days of the GP.

Pricing and the number of seats are expected to be released in late January 2008 by Singapore GP.

The $240 million Flyer observation wheel, which is expected to open on March 1, 2008, can hold 28 guests in each of its 28 capsules, translating to 784 passengers for every half-hour long ride.

Although tickets for the Flyer can be bought by the public, promenade ticket holders will get preference.

'Given the number of private land owners around the circuit, the deal will be a good model to use with other interested parties,' said Michael Roche, executive director of the Singapore GP.

Because the right to sell tickets remains solely with Singapore GP, the company is in talks with venues around the race circuit to engineer additional partnerships.

This will help 'secure unobstructed race views and maximise involvement from as many vantage points as possible', said Alastair Hunt, Singapore GP's circuit park manager.

Safety fences, the lighting system and advertising hoardings are expected to serve as obstacles and discourage viewing from unauthorised venues on the periphery of the track.

Singapore GP has also awarded to two companies - PICO Art International and Kingsmen Creatives - the contract to construct some of the grandstands, seating and corporate hospitality suites for the race. The five-year contract is expected to be worth $25 million.