Singapore night race confirmed for 2008
-
Singapore is to stage Formula 1Â’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 F1Â’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 yearÂ’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,” saisd 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.” -
Finally... its confirmed!
Races for 2008:
Australian GP (Albert Park)
Malaysian GP (Sepang)
Bahrain GP (Bahrain)
San Marino GP* (Enzo e Dino Ferarri)
Spanish GP (Catalunya)
Monaco GP (Monaco**)
Canadian GP (Circuit de GV)
United States GP (Indy)
British GP (Silverstone)
German GP (Hockenheim)
Hungarian GP (Hungaroring)
Turkish GP (Istanbul)
European GP (Valencia**)
Italian GP (Monza)
Belgian GP (Spa)
Singapore GP (bedok)
Pacific GP* (Suzuka)
Japanese GP (Fuji)
Chinese GP (Shanghai)
Brazilian GP (Interlagos)
* Unconfirmed Venue
** Street Circuit -
Valencia street track joins F1 calendar
The European Grand Prix will be held on a new street circuit in the Spanish city of Valencia from 2008.
The seven year deal was announced in Valencia today, and means that Spain will henceforth have two grands prix as Barcelona has a contract to host the Spanish GP until 2011.
Formula 1 is currently extremely popular in Spain due to Fernando Alonso's world championship success, with a huge crowd expected for this weekend's Catalunya race.
Although Valencia has a permanent racetrack on the outskirts of the city - which is regularly used for F1 testing - the European GP will be held on a street track around the harbourside.
Valencia's deal to host this year's America's Cup yacht race has revitalised the city's port area and brought considerable investment and development.
A grand prix is seen as an ideal way to maintain the Valencia's profile after the yacht event this summer, and for F1 to capitalise on the 'Alonso effect' in Spain.
McLaren launched its 2007 car in Valencia in January, with Alonso conducting an F1 demonstration in the city's streets as part of the event.
Asked for his thoughts on the announcement at Thursday's Spanish GP press conference, Alonso said: "Now we have two grands prix in Spain and for me it will be okay and I twill be nice to see how it develops in Spain the last four or five years as before we didn't even have television coverage four years ago and now we are going to have two Grands Prix in the country, so it is very special.
"So I am happy for the motor sport in Spain but for us it is not a big change to take the plane to Valencia or take the plane to Italy..."
The Valencia circuit will be the first new street venue to join the F1 calendar since the short-lived Phoenix track that hosted the US GP from 1989 to 1991.
Launch of the Mclaren MP4-22 -
me thinks the USGP cud be axed... 20GPs a season is impossible unless the GPMA agrees to itOriginally posted by SBS9806J:Finally... its confirmed!
Races for 2008:
1Australian GP (Albert Park)
2Malaysian GP (Sepang)
3Bahrain GP (Bahrain)
4San Marino GP* (Enzo e Dino Ferarri)
5Spanish GP (Catalunya)
6Monaco GP (Monaco**)
7Canadian GP (Circuit de GV)
8United States GP (Indy)
9British GP (Silverstone)
10German GP (Hockenheim)
11Hungarian GP (Hungaroring)
12Turkish GP (Istanbul)
13European GP (Valencia**)
14Italian GP (Monza)
15Belgian GP (Spa)
16Singapore GP (bedok)
17Pacific GP* (Suzuka)
18Japanese GP (Fuji)
19Chinese GP (Shanghai)
20Brazilian GP (Interlagos)
* Unconfirmed Venue
** Street Circuit -
YAY!!!Whooo hooo! Singapore i love you!
but why make the name Bedok?
-
COOL!!!!!!
-
WOW!!!
Woohoo!!! -
The GPMA is no more, the manufacturers are now at peace with Bernie.Originally posted by SBS9828X:me thinks the USGP cud be axed... 20GPs a season is impossible unless the GPMA agrees to it -
bedok?
-
ya wat... they showed the planned route around bedok interchange, bedok reservoir and then to bedok north...Originally posted by Xtrider:bedok? 
-
ECP area more suitable for such an event. Away from high-density residential dwellings.Originally posted by SBS9828X:ya wat... they showed the planned route around bedok interchange, bedok reservoir and then to bedok north... -
actual route is out... not much sweeping corners... can be found in newpaper on sunday
-
-
Wow.
I forsee major bus route diversions whenever there is a race on. Better for SG to build a rrace track in a less populated area like Tuas. -
when i last visited the marina area, the flyer was already up and so has the seating gallery
-
woah cool, looking forward watching the race
-
and it passes the merlion too
-
Bernie offers Aus GP ultimatum
Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has hinted that hosting night races might hold the key to the future of the Australian Grand Prix beyond 2010.
Speaking to Australian newspaper the Sunday Herald Sun, Ecclestone suggested that running races more suitable to European time zones was key to negotiations with the Australian Grand Prix Corporation over the event's long-term place on the calendar.
"When the contract comes up, we have to have a look and see exactly what we will be doing with Melbourne," said Ecclestone.
"Unless they can come up with something satisfactory, I'm pretty sure we wouldn't be able to continue there.
"I would like to make sure we can watch (the race) in Europe and other parts of the world at a respectable time rather than having to get up at three or four in the morning.
"(Australian GP boss) Ron (Walker) is not stupid and he knows exactly what is at stake."
Stories surfaced in March that a rival bid to host the race on the Gold Coast is gathering pace and with decreasing television viewing figures, low attendances and expected revenue losses from this year's race, Ecclestone's ultimatum might spell the end of the road for the event which has been hosted at Albert Park since 1996.
Local residents may also object to F1 running so late on the evening.
But on the other hand, the novelty of running cars under spotlights could just provide the spark needed to renew local interest in the race.
The newspaper reports that AGPC is planning a feasability study on the concept.
A spokesman for Victoria's Tourism Minister Tim Holding said: "We strongly support the race.
"The contract runs until 2010, but we haven't begun negotiating that yet. And a night grand prix has never been formally proposed.
"Ultimately the Victorian Government will decide what is best for Melbourne."-itv f1 -
valencia-singapore: street circuit
singapore-australia: night race
whole lot of things we can learn from -
wah... power... im excited to see the racers..