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Singapore will host formula one f1 next year 2008
The five-year deal for the Singapore Grand Prix was agreed between F1 surpemo Ecclestone, Singapore entrepeneur Mr Ong Beng Seng and the Singapore Tourism Board.
"I am very pleased to welcome Singapore to the Formula One family and we look forward to this exotic addition to the championship," said Ecclestone. "This will be the first fully lit street race in Formula One.
"As a night race we anticipate it will quickly establish itself as one of the most dramatic and atmospheric races on our calendar. I know the Formula One drivers, teams and fans are all looking forward to coming to Singapore next year."
The race is being planned towards the end of the 2008 season in either September or October. Because it is a night event, it can be broadcasted during the day to European TV viewers.
"We are delighted to have reached a deal to bring this landmark event to Singapore GP, and look forward to working with F1, the Singapore Tourism Board and the business community to deliver a great race and vibrant support events together with the very best of Singapore's famed hospitality and cuisine." Ong added.
The track will be designed on public roadsaround the Marina Bay area, which will be lit by lighting systems capable of replicating daylight conditions. The grandstands will have a net capacity of 80,000 spectators.
"It will be more than just a motor race," commented Singapore's Minister of State for Trade and Industry, Mr S Iswaran. "We envision it to be a national festival, and one that presents many opportunities for participation for everyone, both visitors and Singaporeans alike.
"Singaporeans are excited about the race coming to Singapore and I share their enthusiasm. Singapore looks forward to welcoming the Formula One drivers, teams and fans to Singapore next year."
Singapore night race confirmed for 2008
Singapore is to stage Formula 1’s first night-time race in 2008 after the country confirmed a five-year deal with Bernie Ecclestone on Friday.
The Southeast Asian country will have the honour of hosting F1’s first race under floodlights, with the inaugural event on a new street circuit pencilled in for next September or October.
The announcement ends weeks of speculation about whether Singapore would feature on next year’s calendar and is the second new street race to be added to the 2008 schedule in as many days, after Valencia confirmed its own grand prix from next season.
“I am very pleased to welcome Singapore to the Formula 1 family and we look forward to this exotic addition to the championship,” Ecclestone said.
“This will be the first fully lit street race in Formula 1.
“As a night race we anticipate it will quickly establish itself as one of the most dramatic and atmospheric races on our calendar.
“I know the Formula 1 drivers, teams and fans are all looking forward to coming to Singapore next year.”
The race will take place on public roads around the downtown Marina Bay area, with the race proposals including powerful lighting systems that will replicate daylight conditions and stringent safety measures to ensure both driver and spectator safety.
“It will be more than just a motor race,” said Singapore's minister of state for trade and industry, Mr S Iswaran. “We envision it to be a national festival, and one that presents many opportunities for participation for everyone, both visitors and Singaporeans alike.
“Singaporeans are excited about the race coming to Singapore and I share their enthusiasm. "Singapore looks forward to welcoming the Formula 1 drivers, teams and fans to Singapore next year.”
Mark Webber on Saturday will become the first F1 driver to sample the proposed city layout for a Singapore grand prix.
According to the local newspaper Straits Times, the Red Bull racer is scheduled to test the street circuit at the wheel of a Porsche 911 GT3, even though he will have to conform to normal speed limits.
"We didn't have enough time to get the clearance for a high-speed run," Jyn Wee, Red Bull's brand manager in Singapore, was quoted as saying.
Webber publicly supports the concept of night races for formula one, with Singapore slated to become the first grand prix run under floodlights early next year.
"I have done a night race before and I like it a lot," Webber, 30, said.
He added: "I am sure the fans would love it and I think it is a unique idea, so why not?"
Don't believe everything you read, warned the man supposedly at the helm of a 'Singapore grand prix.'
Matthew Lee, president of the Motor Sport Association there, said recent media articles left him 'surprised.'
Contradicting supposed statements, Lee said he hasn't met with the Tourism Board since 2003.
''We could hold a grand prix,'' he conceded, ''but whether we'd get permission is something else.
''And the SMSA is too small to be a F1 promoter.''
Meanwhile, Singapore prime minister until 1990, Lee Kuan Yew, said he regretted not building a grand prix F1 track.
''(F1) makes no sense to me,'' he said at a business forum, ''but I am sure it would have made Singapore buzz.''
Bernie Ecclestone welcomed Singapore "to the F1 family" after confirming the country will stage races from 2008 onwards.
The first race will is scheduled to be held in September or October 2008 on a street circuit and could be held at night under lights.
Singapore has been campaigning hard to stage a grand prix and has been given the option to hold the race for five years.
Ecclestone announced yesterday that Valencia would stage an F1 race in 2008 on a street circuit and has an option to stage races for the next seven years.
"I am very pleased to welcome Singapore to the Formula One family and we look forward to this exotic addition to the championship," said Ecclestone, who spoke on a conference line from Barcelona.
"This will be the first fully-lit street race in Formula One and as a night race, we anticipate it will quickly establish itself as one of the most dramatic and atmospheric races in our calendar.
"I know that the Formula One drivers, teams and fans are all looking forward to coming to Singapore next year."
One of Formula One's worst-kept secrets was finally confirmed on Friday when it was announced that Singapore would host a street race on the world championship circuit in 2008.
Speaking at a news conference, Singapore's Minister of State for Trade and Industry, S Iswaran announced that the city state has secured the rights to host an F1 race for five years, with an option for Formula One Administration (FOA) to extend the contract for a further five years.
The first race will take place on a 5.2-kilometre downtown street circuit in September or early October 2008 and could potentially be the first F1 race to be held at night.
"Singapore is a leading business centre and our aim is to be a vibrant global city that is abuzz with high quality entertainment and events. A world class even like the F1 race, with more than 500 million viewers worldwide, will take us closer to this objective," said Iswaran.
"By holding the race on a street circuit in Marina Centre, we will bring the buzz and excitement into the heart of the city, so that everyone can join in the festivities."
The race will be a partnership between Formula One, the Singapore Tourism Board and Singapore GP Pte Ltd, a newly-formed company led by local tycoon Ong Beng Seng.
Malaysia could join F1 newcomer Singapore in hosting a floodlit night race as early as next season.
"Night races are among the new conditions in the contract," said the Sepang circuit's chairman Datuk Mokhzani Mahathir yesterday, according to the newspaper Straits Times.
It is reported that negotiations with Bernie Ecclestone for the new contract, ensuring the grand prix near Kuala Lumpur until 2015, were recently concluded, and it should be signed within a few weeks.
Mokhzani also played down Malaysia's widely-reported objections to the staging of a second F1 race in the region.
He said: "For Malaysia, the races will be held at the beginning of the season, while Singapore will have its towards the end of the season."
Malaysia, which has won an extension to hosting its Grand Prix until 2015, may host night races as early as next year, the head of the Sepang circuit said Saturday.
Mokhzani Mahathir, chairman of the Sepang International Circuit (SIC), told AFP that a clause concerning night racing was included in the contract to host the race for an additional five years.
Malaysia has hosted F1 races since 1999 and its current contract expires in 2010.
"Definitely. The contract will be signed by the end of this month. The new clause in the contract requires us to be prepared for night racing."
"We can be ready for night racing next year. But we will need ample notice from Formula One," Mokhzani said.
The announcement comes a day after neighbouring Singapore said it would host its debut Formula One Grand Prix on a street circuit next year and the race may be the first held at night.
Bernie Ecclestone has spoken of including night races in Asia on the F1 schedule as early as next season to boost TV audiences, especially in Europe.
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