WITH just nine months to go for the Formula One SingTel Singapore Grand Prix, the race is on to find vantage spots around the track.
If you are thinking of getting a free look, forget it.
But what about a spot you pay for, like on the Singapore Flyer?
A 30-minute ride on the 165m wheel should offer views of the roads which will form the track.
And the view is likely to be extra special if you take a ride when the night race is on, between 26 and 28 Sep.
But it will cost you.
A basic ride will cost between $23.60 and $69 when the Flyer opens in March. But the night rides from 8pm to 10pm on the race days are likely to cost at least $200 each.
And don't expect to catch a free show after that at the Flyer's Waterfront Dining Promenade, which also offers a track view.
Said Ms Patsy Ong, managing director of Adval Brand Group, the Flyer's ticketing agent: 'The area around the Flyer, F1 pit building and street circuit will be cordoned off during the race period. Those who want to visit the Flyer will have to purchase race passes from Singapore GP (the race promoter) to access the track-side.'
In other words, a visit to the Flyer during the night race can cost you $475, based on the $275 three-day race pass.
MUST SCC & SRC MEMBERS PAY?
What about the Singapore Cricket Club (SCC) and Singapore Recreation Club (SRC)? Will members be able to watch the race from their premises?The New Paper on Sunday understands that the clubs are in talks to decide on this.
A businessman in his 50s, who is a member of both clubs, groused: 'Why should members pay the race promoter if we want to watch it from our premises? It doesn't make sense, the race is encroaching on our space.'
Both clubs are located on the Padang, inside the street circuit.
Already, SRC members are making enquiries about its terrace, with a view of the St Andrew's Road section of the track.
The club said it will be meeting Singapore GP and the Singapore Tourism Board for a discussion next month.
The chances of anyone getting free glimpses of the race are slim. SingaporeGP is speaking to various private venues within the 5.067km circuit to structure joint ticketing and land-use deals for the race period.
Obviously, it wants to prevent unauthorised viewing from track-side venues.
Mr Michael Roche, Singapore GP's executive director, told The New Paper on Sunday: 'We need to ensure the fans get maximum value from our range of daily or season passes. We will erect screening fences at appropriate heights to restrict any unauthorised views.'
It seems you won't be able to watch the race for free even if you book a track-side venue like the 100-seater Bacchus wine bar at the Fullerton Waterboat House.
It has a view of the hairpin bend from Anderson Bridge leading to The Esplanade. The premises will be leased out for more than the usual rate of $5,000 a night.
Said Mr Don Tay, who runs the wine bar: 'From our discussion with Singapore GP on Wednesday, the organisers of the private function will have to purchase tickets to watch the race from the Waterboat House.
'There will be no free show.'
The three-day F1 race, which aims to draw 240,000 visitors, can cost up to $150million to stage annually.
It is not known at this point how much each private venue ticket will cost. But the three-day race passes can go from $275 to as high as $7,500 per person.
To offset some of the cost of staging the event, 11 track-side hotels will also pay a 30 per cent room levy to the Ministry of Trade and Industry, while off-circuit hotels pay 20 per cent.
The track-side hotels are almost fully-booked for the race period. But it could not be confirmed yet if hotel guests have to purchase race-day passes too. Or if there would be a restriction on the number of people allowed in each room.
At Swissotel's City Space Bar and New Asia Bar, party goers can enjoy a view of the circuit from the 70th, 71st and 72nd storeys.
The hotel said it will be accepting bookings for its three-day party packages.
BLOCKED
Those working at the tall office buildings near the track may be able to watch the race for free - from a distance. (See box at right.)
Singapore GP said the 'unofficial' vantage points may not have unobstructed views. Because of the 4.5m debris fence, multiple crash barriers, lighting pylons, safety fencing and advertising billboards, those at the unticketed venues might end up hearing more than seeing the race.
The off-circuit venues include One Fullerton, which overlooks the hairpin turn.
Said Mr Roche: 'We are in discussion with the facilities around the circuit on a win-win deal. But only Singapore GP has the rights to offer tickets to the race.'
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FREE VIEW TO A THRILL?
SINGAPORE FLYER
Aerial view
BACCHUS, FULLERTON WATERBOAT HOUSE
Anderson Bridge
CITY SPACE BAR, SWISSOTEL THE STAMFORD
Aerial view
NEW ASIA BAR, SWISSOTEL THE STAMFORD
Aerial view
MILLENIA TOWER
Aerial view
OUB PLAZA, MAYBANK TOWER, SIX BATTERY ROAD
Offices facing the Anderson Bridge
HIGH STREET CENTRE
Offices facing Parliament House can see cars zip by the Padang
ONE MARINA BOULEVARD
Offices facing Collyer Quay can see cars racing to the Esplanade
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