F1 driver impressed by proposed S'pore circuit
Mar 31, 2007
F1 driver impressed by proposed S'pore circuit
MARK Webber is a Formula One driver usually accustomed to hitting speeds of over 250km/h in his Red Bull RB3 race car.
But on Saturday, the Australian drove around Singapore's proposed F1 street circuit in a Renault Megane Coupe Cabriolet and kept well below 100 km/h.
Webber, who is here en route to next week's F1 race in Sepang, stopped at traffic lights, obeyed the speed limit, and did not try any outrageous overtaking stunts.
It was a leisurely Saturday morning ride for the 30-year-old, as he went round the proposed 4.8km route in the Marina and Esplanade area drawn by German designer Hermann Tilke.
Organisers said the change of car - a Porsche 911 GT3 was chosen initially - was due to Renault being the Red Bull team's engine partner.
More for publicity, the 30-year-old's test drive is not expected to have any impact on the design of the circuit or the decision to stage an F1 race here.
However, there was widespread media attention as 20-odd photographers and journalists scampered to get a slice of the action.
Ditto for tourists and staff at Swissotel the Stamford, where the drive commenced.
Said Webber: 'It's a hardcore street circuit, much like Adelaide in the 90s.'
'You've got some curves, similar to Monaco's Casino Square and the Swimming Pool, with more scope for overtaking.'
'There's lots of greenery too, making it very picturesque, just like Melbourne's Albert Park, which is set around a lake,' he added.
Monte Carlo and Albert Park are famous street circuits on the F1 calendar.
But Webber feels having the proposed night race - a first for F1 - would set Singapore apart as the most unique event in the calendar.
It would also boost television audiences in Europe and America due to the time difference.
He said: 'This would be the signature event of the country, and fuel massive global interest.'
Earlier this month, F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone was here for discussions for tycoon Ong Beng Seng. A deal could be concluded as early as next week.
On Friday, Minister of State for Trade and Industry S. Iswaran told reporters: 'The negotiations ... are going well. How soon, I can't say as of now, but it would be sooner rather than later.'
On Saturday, Webber gave the thumbs up to the planned circuit, but said a lot of work is needed.
He said: 'It'll take three weeks to set up the logistics, a week to dismantle. The city has to learn to embrace the event. People will have to be patient.'
Webber noted that the roads, especially those behind Suntec City, need to be smoothened, ideally three months before raceday, to ensure safety.
And what about a night race?
He added: 'F1 cars have no headlights. Thus, the lighting has to simulate daytime conditions.'
'If it rains, it could get more tricky. The glare of the lights, reflection and the spray off cars need to be considered.'
F1 race - the devil is in the detail
Published April 4, 2007
COMMENTARY
F1 race - the devil is in the detail
By SAMUEL EE
YOU'VE heard so much talk about a Formula One race in Singapore next year that you might think it's a done deal. Except there hasn't been a formal announcement. So why is it taking so long?
Property tycoon Ong Beng Seng has been tipped as front-runner in the race to get the nod from Formula One Management (FOM) to hold the island's first F1 race. But so far the low-profile hotelier has not said a word.
The other person linked to the F1 bid, Arthur Tay of SUTL Group, developer of the luxury marina at Sentosa Cove, has also stayed silent publicly, though some people swear he has secured the commercial rights.
The only public announcement so far has been to the contrary. Mr Ong's listed vehicle HPL has categorically said it is not involved in the F1 deal.
Yet there is every reason to believe a deal is almost in the bag and that it is Mr Ong, who is close to FOM supremo Bernie Ecclestone, who will clinch it.
Even though HPL is not involved, this does not mean Mr Ong has bowed out. He is known to have stakes in many private companies and may be steering one of them towards the chequered flag.
So back to the official announcement and why it is stuck in the pits. No one is willing to come out and admit it, but the reason is probably money. F1 is notorious for not being a money-spinner for any party involved, except Mr Ecclestone.
The sanction fee - the amount paid for the right to stage a race - is said to be about US$35 million payable upfront. Then there is the actual cost of staging the race itself - possibly another US$35 million - plus other terms and conditions, like the control of TV rights by Mr Ecclestone.
All these can leave an organiser with a serious financial headache. Look no farther than Melbourne or Sepang, both of which have lost millions of dollars staging F1 races. But both agree that the payback has to be measured in less quantifiable terms, like the enhanced image of the country and its promotion internationally as a tourist destination.
Cost factor
These things, too, are the reasons for Singapore's high-revving attempt to land a slot on the F1 calendar. The government has accepted that a race is not a money-making proposition, so it has promised to underwrite half of the cost.
But for a savvy businessman like Mr Ong, half of the cost could also mean half of the loss - something he would be loathe to bear.
And Mr Ecclestone is not the only one who drives a hard bargain. Government agencies here are known to be hard-nosed and calculative.
So when it comes to turning a profit, Mr Ong could be stuck between a rock and a hard place.
On the other hand, with so many government ministers hinting at an impending deal, there is probably no backing out now. So it's not so much whether a race will happen but how.
The devil is likely to be in the detail, not just all the fine print in a commercial agreement but how an F1 novice like Singapore is going to get all the mechanics and logistics right.
It is challenging enough to run a race on a purpose-built track like Sepang, but a Singapore race would be on a street circuit, with so many seating and safety issues that one can only imagine the complexities involved.
The only sure thing now is that a Singapore F1 race will happen when it happens.
Permanent F1 track good but not vital: Jackie Stewart
Published April 5, 2007
Permanent F1 track good but not vital: Jackie Stewart
By JANICE HENG
(SINGAPORE) Singapore's proposed permanent race track is a good idea but not necessary, Formula One racing legend Jackie Stewart said yesterday.
A permanent track would be good because motorsports infrastructure could be built up around it, he said. For example, driver education and industry product launches could be tied to it.
'But I don't think that's a necessity,' he said. 'I think there is a charm, and a rarity, in having a street race.' Monaco is now the only major venue where F1 street races are held.
'You've got to have a little variety,' Mr Stewart told reporters yesterday after his visit to the Dyslexia Centre of the Dyslexia Association of Singapore (DAS).
On Singapore's F1 bid, he said: 'Singapore, I think, would be a good home for Formula One racing.' Singapore has a 'very, very well-developed infrastructure'.
Singapore would not only be a good host, it would 'gain handsomely' as well, Mr Stewart said, citing the large television audience for F1 races and the influx of tourists that F1 races attract.
'An excuse to come to Singapore would be the Grand Prix,' he said. The resulting tourist expenditure would benefit sectors such as hotels, and food and beverage.
Mr Stewart was diagnosed with dyslexia - a reading disability caused by a defect in the way the brain processes graphic symbols - at the age of 41. Dyslexia affects up to 10 per cent of people. And Mr Stewart commended Singapore for the way it handles the problem.
'You could lead the world in this,' he told DAS management. He also gave a speech to parents and students at the centre. His visit to Singapore was made possible by the Royal Bank of Scotland.
DMG highlights stocks that may benefit from hosting F1
Published April 3, 2007
DMG highlights stocks that may benefit from hosting F1
Hospitality, retail, nightspots, construction sectors will gain
By JANICE HENG
WHILE speculation continues over Singapore's bid to host a Formula One (F1) motor race, analysts have begun looking at the implications. In a report released yesterday, the stockbroking firm DMG and Partners Securities highlighted stocks in sectors which they think will benefit - hospitality, retail, nightspots, accessories and gifts, construction and logistics, and transport.
DMG noted that hotel room rates 'are known to double and even triple in host cities during the event'. One expected beneficiary is Singapore Land, which owns an effective 26.5 per cent in three hotels along the proposed race route: the Pan Pacific, the Oriental Hotel and the Marina Mandarin.
Hotel Properties Ltd (HPL) and Overseas Union Enterprise (OUE) can offer lodging along the Orchard Road tourist belt, in the HPL-owned Hilton and Four Seasons hotels, and OUE's Meritus Mandarin.
Hotels on the city periphery - such as United Overseas Land's Hotel Plaza and Park Royal Hotel - will also benefit, while Koh Brothers' Changi Hotel and Oxford Hotel will welcome the budget-conscious.
Real estate investment trusts (Reits) that could gain include CDL Hospitality Trust, Ascott Residence Trust and Ascott Group. Retail landlords, 'particularly those with turnover rent lease structures', may also gain from higher retail spending, said DMG, which named Suntec Reit, MM Prime Reit and CapitaMall Trust.
The expected boost in spending will 'tilt towards the branded retailers', DMG thinks. These include FJ Benjamin, which provides agency services for labels including Gap, Banana Republic, Guess, and La Senza, and also promotes in-house brand Raoul.
Robinsons and Isetan are also expected to benefit, while Wing Tai will cater to the Asian crowd with a portfolio that includes Top Shop, Top Man, Dorothy Perkins, G2000, U2, Nike Women and Fox Fashion.
FJ Benjamin is also tipped to gain from nightspot patronage, as it holds a 33 per cent stake in St James Power Station. DMG notes that LifeBrandz, which has 11 clubs and bars including the Ministry of Sound, is a 'strong competitor'.
Retailers of a more specialised sort are Stamford Tyres and YHI. The motoring aftermarket accessories that they distribute are 'becoming fashion statements', said DMG.
Roads on the circuit will require resurfacing and repairs, which may benefit road maintenance company OKP. Aluminium extrusion company AEI Corporation may also get to provide F1-related signage and track railings.
On the logistics side, event organiser Cityneon may see increased demand for hospitality tents and other forms of temporary infrastructure. Marketing and communications firm Communication Design International may also gain.
While noting that takings for taxi drivers will increase, DMG adds that the spillover effect for fleet owners and operators will be 'limited to the sharing of booking fees'. Singapore Airlines is a clearer winner. 'Improvement in the passenger load factor will flow directly down to SIA's bottom line,' said DMG.
Profit aside, a successful F1 race will improve Singapore's international branding, said DMG. Hotelier Ong Beng Seng - whose Hotel Properties Limited announced its non-involvement last Friday - and SUTL Group's managing director Arthur Tay are the two known parties vying for F1 hosting rights. And F1 may not be Singapore's only racing event, if plans to build a permanent race track see fruition. The Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports is reportedly considering a permanent track at Changi.
Motor Racing: Singapore motorsports receives healthy boost
Motor Racing: Singapore motorsports receives healthy boost
By Daniel Tan, channelnewsasia.com | Posted: 04 April 2007 1914 hrs
SINGAPORE: The hosting of a Formula One leg right here in Singapore, will give local motorsports a healthy boost.
According to industry experts, the extended media coverage, should the race be extended to Singapore, would bring about extensive benefits to the country.
Speaking at the MotorsportsAsia Forum in Singapore, veteran F1 Commentator Steve Slater said," Positioning itself as a style capital, as a really fantastic avant garde place to come - that's going to be a legacy that F1 coming to Singapore can give."
Slater also said that Singapore would be a "fantastic place to set up a technology centre, to set up a regional head office" for any F1 team wanting to develop their activities throughout Asia.
The forum which brought together experts in the racing fraternity from around the Asia Pacific also stressed that the F1 will not be the only vehicle that could benefit Singapore.
Former Malaysian F1 driver Alex Yoong said,"It won't do that much for the local motorsport scene. Not as much as you think."
Pointing out that Formula One is a Euro-centric sport, Yoong who now drives in the A1GP said it (the A1GP) would help the local motorsports scene more because it was more "accessible".
Much is due, he said, to the fact that competitors represent their nation as opposed to a constructor, which is traditional in most formula racing series (including Formula One).
Founded in 2004 by Sheikh Maktoum Hasher Maktoum Al Maktoum of Dubai, the A1GP is promoted as the World Cup of Motorsport. The A1GP provides for one car to be delivered to each team, and each such car is mechanically identical, built with many technical restrictions designed to limit performance, reduce running costs and prevent any one team gaining an advantage through better equipment.
This regulation thus provides a level playing field in which the driver's skill and team effort becomes the primary factor for success.
Should the A1GP find its way to Singapore hot on the heels of the F1, the local motorsport scene should have no problems getting things off to a roaring start since Singapore formed it's own A1 team in September 2006.
One month after, the team took part for the first time in A1GP, completing the competition with a credible 19th position out of 24 teams by April in the on-going 2006/2007 season.
Calling it a "milestone in Singapore Motorsport", CEO of A1GP Asian Region, David Clare said Team Singapore is performing very well for a first season. He also sees a good opportunity for Singapore to compete at a high level of motorsport, and be a catalyst for drivers to get involved in other areas of motorsport.
F1 drivers hail proposed Singapore circuit
F1 drivers hail proposed Singapore circuit
By Patwant Singh, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 04 April 2007 2049 hrs
SINGAPORE: More Formula One (F1) drivers are eager to try the proposed Singapore street circuit.
Williams drivers Alex Wurz and Narain Karthikeyan feel that the proposed night race would be a good addition to the sport.
But legendary driver Sir Jackie Stewart said much work needs to be done, and this includes a simulation that costs about US$30 million to ensure the track is safe.
The drivers are in Singapore before heading to the Malaysian Grand Prix in Sepang this weekend.
The two Williams drivers may be pros but driving in Singapore was not a breeze.
They lost out to a rookie – Singaporean Alvin Koh - who clocked the fastest time of 1:13:864 on an F1 simulator.
He won a trip to Europe to compete in a real F1 car with other winners.
And speaking of the real deal, the two Williams drivers cannot wait for the Singapore F1 race to start.
Mr Wurz said: "I don't see any problem in night racing - other racing categories have done it. I think the organisers will do a great job in making sure the electricity has a back-up. I think it just raises the show and that is perfect for all of us so I am actually looking forward to it."
With sparks flying, the night race will literally be more colourful, according to another F1 pro, Mr Karthikeyan.
The Indian national, who became his country's first F1 driver, is William's current test driver.
He, too, had a spin on the Singapore circuit.
Mr Karthikeyan said: "For me, it is quite challenging. Formula One is a sport but it's also a spectacle and for the spectators, it is going to be much more fun."
For veteran Sir Jackie Stewart, racing under the stars adds a new dimension to the sport.
The 67-year-old is a three-time former world champ, and he cautions that extensive R&D needs to be done.
This includes a simulation on the possible scenarios and dangers.
He said: "That would probably have to be done on another track, and clearly you couldn't do it here. And it must be very expensive, I think it will cost US$20 to US$30 million to be able to do it really correctly and if it were a permanent facility, it could justify that. But for a temporary facility, it may be difficult to justify financially."
Stewart, who is dyslexic, also made time to visit the Dyslexia Association of Singapore where the Scotsman, though retired from the sport, was still a hit with fans.
- CNA/so
Everything you wanted to know about F1
Published April 6, 2007
Everything you wanted to know about F1
By JAIME EE
SO, Singapore is this close to hosting a leg of the famous motorcar racing event called Formula One. Naturally, many people are very excited at the prospect - like the tourism board, hotels, tyre-makers and that deluded one-litre bone-shaker that just overtook me on the CTE at 120 kmh.
Of course, hosting this world event is not as simple as lighting up those electronic expressway traffic boards with the words 'Marina-Esplanade area closed. Please use public transport.' A lot of logistics are involved, and it could mean major traffic headaches that would make last year's IMF-World Bank road closures seem like a Thaipusam clog-up in comparison. Indeed, as F1 driver Mark Webber, who was in town recently to test drive the proposed circuit, said: 'In order for it to work, people have to see the event as a matter of national pride.'
What does this mean? For one thing, Singaporeans should embrace this world-class event on our shores, and not sully it with letters to the forum pages about why the race has to take place in such a traffic-dense area like the civic district when they could be racing through less populated areas like the Kranji farm area which is equally picturesque, has a lot of greenery and on the way back, the F1 drivers can buy locally grown organic vegetables.
It's possible, then, that even before we sign on the dotted line, some kind of subtle education might be necessary - not all Singaporeans really know what F1 is all about, or what kind of cooperation is expected to ensure a smooth event. So here we propose a simple guide aimed purely at Singaporeans and which answers every question they might have about hosting the F1.
Here's an excerpt: Question: What is Formula One? Answer: Formula One is a race in which specially made cars and their very well-paid drivers zoom around a track, or in our case, zoom past the Merlion, at a very high speed of up to 300 kmh - to get an idea, imagine yourself driving down the North-South Highway so fast that the traffic police's radar can't detect you, and even if it can, the police car can't drive fast enough to give you a summons. Question: Why do they want the race to take place at night? Answer: Because of Singapore's heat. F1 drivers drive without airconditioning - as the car cabin is very small, the drivers get so hot that they can lose one or two kilos in just one race. It can be horribly uncomfortable - just like being crammed at peak hours in a crowded bus with faulty airconditioning. Question: So does this mean that during the race, F1 drivers can use bus lanes without getting fined? Answer: Yes, not only normal bus lanes but also the special all-day lanes marked with the red and yellow lines. They can also cross double white lines if they feel like it. And they are exempt from ERP charges. Question: That is very unfair. Answer: If you think that is unfair, wait till you find out that they also get a year's supply of free parking coupons. Question: But seriously, why can't they race in Kranji? Answer: Because, you stupid goose, that place is so ulu nobody will want to go there and the only ones watching will be the goats in the dairy farm.
Most F1 fans think race in S'pore will complement Malaysia GP
Most F1 fans think race in S'pore will complement Malaysia GP
By Patwant Singh, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 13 April 2007 1856 hrs
SINGAPORE: Formula One (F1) fans in Singapore and Malaysia welcome the idea of two races in the region.
In fact, many will support both races, claiming they offer different attractions.
An estimated number of 5,000 Singaporeans were at Sepang for the Malaysian Grand Prix over the weekend.
Many Singaporeans made the journey up in coaches as some operators had included accommodation and entry tickets to the event.
There were also many first-timers who were caught up with the recent F1 buzz in Singapore.
Ardent F1 fans said they would love to see the fast action in Singapore, come 2008.
And many believe it would complement the Malaysian GP.
Even Malaysian fans feel Sepang will continue to thrive.
One of them said: "We have already been here for eight years. People know about Malaysia and we know our strengths."
Similarly, tour operators are not worried that business would be affected. Some are even thinking of innovative ways to cash in on the two races.
Rendy Wong, Manager, Luxury Tours and Travel, said: "I feel it is a gain. We can even work out a package together."
And based on the crowds at Sepang, staging another race in the region could only help to satisfy the growing demand for the sport.
- CNA/so
Coming Soon: Singapore's 1st Motorcross And Racing Track
AsiaOne
12 July 2007
http://www.asiaone.com/A1MEDIA/motor...tuas-track.jpg
Good news for motorcross and racing enthusiasts! They will soon have a track to enjoy the sport - right in Singapore.
The Singapore Land Authority (SLA) recently awarded a 25,000 sq metre site to Lam Chee Development Pte Ltd a plot to develop into a motorcross training and racing track. The state land at Tuas West Drive is the size of about 3 football fields, and is located next to Tuas Bus Terminal.
"This is the first time state land has been awarded for motorcross activities. Currently, two-wheeler motorcross enthusiasts have to travel overseas to enjoy the sport. This is also the first time that Lam Chee is venturing into the motorcross business", says SLA in a statement today.
Although the tenancy is up to December 2009, Lam Chee has committed to invest at least $250,000.
Construction work began in June and it is expected to be ready by early 2008. It will feature a race track, spectator stand with a capacity of 100, a car park for 60 lots, a cafeteria and some retail shops.
Lam Chee hopes to attract mainly local racing enthusiasts for motorcross activities on both 2-wheel and 4-wheel vehicles. It is also negotiating for tie-ups with private motor clubs and associations.
"In selecting the winning bid, SLA considered among other factors, the tendered price, concepts, proposed uses, track record and financial health of the bidders," says the SLA statement.
Of the 2 bids received, Lam Chee submitted the higher bid of $8,521 per month, about 13.6% more than the guide rent."
Lam Chee's Director, Mr Oh Keh Yew William, sees a huge potential in the motorcross industry. He said: "In recent years, there has been a growing number of racing enthusiasts in Singapore. This is evident by the strong turnout of competitors and spectators at our Kallang carpark races.
"However, they want much more. They travel regularly to the Pasir Gudang racetrack in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, to sharpen their skills and test the performance of their vehicles. So we thought, why not have our very own racetrack in Singapore? Racing enthusiasts can indulge in this extreme activity without leaving the country. We will provide an ideal place for our riders and drivers to practise their skills safely."
Mr Oh believes that with Singapore's recent successful bid of the Formula One race, there will be positive interest generated for motor sports in Singapore. Besides marketing efforts to generate greater public awareness and interest in the sport, Lam Chee is also mindful of the noise impact on the environment. The company will engage specialists to manage noise and traffic conditions so as to minimise any adverse impact.
On offering the first State land for motorcross uses, SLA's Director of Land Operations, Mr Simon Ong said: "This site at Tuas West Drive is a very good location for motorsports as it is away from the city and will minimize the noise and dust dis-amenities to surrounding land users.
"Previously, there was no dedicated venue for motorcross activities and enthusiasts held their races in adhoc venues such as Turf City, Lim Chu Kang, Punggol and the area behind Orchard Cineleisure. With the development of Tuas West Drive, there is now a designated venue for motorsports. This is also in line with optimising land use for the Tuas area for community and recreational use, while further development plans are being made for the site."
