Singapore is all set to join the Formula One Circuit and may hold the first ever night Grand Prix. The first race is scheduled in September 2008 on a street circuit.
A night race will be unique, different and allow the Singapore event to reach out to television audiences in Asia, Europe and the US.
The new race’s promoter said on Tuesday that it had contracted an Italian company, Valerio Maioli, to supply the custom-made lighting system for the event. The decision follows successful lighting tests at Indianapolis earlier this year, and more comprehensive subsequent two-day trials at Bernie Ecclestone’s Paul Ricard circuit in France.
Around 1500 lights will illumine the circuit so that it is nearly four times brighter than a typical sports stadium, while 24 generators will ensure that the lights will not fail.
Valerio Maioli, the lighting company’s chief explained that each power generator can power the whole race in the event of failure. He revealed that the system will be ready to be tested in early January.
The city-state secured the rights to hold the race for five years - with the option for FOA to extend for a further five years - and expects annual tourism receipts from the event of about $100 million Singapore dollars (US$65.9 million; €48.72 million).
Singapore has been pushing hard for the race. Last month Australian Formula One driver Mark Webber tested the Singapore’s 5.2-kilometer (3-mile) street circuit in a Porsche 911 GT3. The rights to the race will be held by a company controlled by Singapore GP Pte Ltd, a company owned by property and hotels tycoon Ong Beng Seng.
[Courtesy: Herald Tribune]
