Countdown To F1 Race On 28 Sep 2008 Begins, Night Race Pending

Source : Channel NewsAsia, 28 September 2007

The inaugural Formula One Grand Prix race in Singapore will be held exactly a year from Friday.

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Countdown to F1 race on 28 Sep 2008 begins, night race pending

The FIA, the governing body of world motorsport, has granted in-principle approval for Singapore's street circuit.

Minister of State for Trade and Industry S Iswaran on Friday said organisers in Singapore are still waiting for the FIA to confirm whether Singapore can hold the first night race in F1 history.

The Singapore Tourism Board and other government agencies are working closely with the race promoter to ensure that the lighting trials run smoothly.

But the Singapore Grand Prix is confirmed to be Asia's first street race and it will run counter-clockwise, which makes the Singapore race one of the only three circuits in the world to do so, besides Turkey’s Istanbul and Brazil’s Sao Paulo.

The race will span about five kilometres, with 14 left-hand turns and 10 right-hand turns, said Mr Iswaran, meaning there will be several thrilling straights and tight turns for dramatic action.

The Land Transport Authority will be managing modifications to some existing infrastructure such as road kerbs and traffic islands. It will also construct a new 1.2-kilometre road along the pit building.

To complete all these works, the LTA announced on Friday that it has awarded three contracts worth S$18 million. - CNA/ac