2008 FORMULA ONE SINGTEL SINGAPORE GRANDPRIX

28th September 2008

2008 FORMULA ONE SINGTEL SINGAPORE GRANDPRIX
I have to digress from food talks this week as the much awaited day has arrived for Singapore to showcase to the world the FORMULA ONE SINGTEL SINGAPORE GRANDPRIX to be held on 28th September 2008. It is set amidst the spectacular scenic night scenes of Singapore ranging from the historical buildings of Fullerton Hotel, City Hall to the skyline of modern skyscrapers of the financial districts and the iconic Espanade Theatres and further on, the Singapore Flyer, a giant observation wheel.
The city dazzles with bright lights and watchful eyes from every corner and height that can perceivably provide the glimpse of the roaring racecars.

Finally having filled my enthusiasm, I have to fill my stomach and had late dinner at Lau Pa Sat with excitement of the race still filling the air. However Fatman chicken satay and "perut satay" was a tad too sweet for my tooth but it doesnt matter. The adrenalin rush earlier compensates for that.
Finally having filled my enthusiasm, I have to fill my stomach and had late dinner at Lau Pa Sat with excitement of the race still filling the air. However Fatman chicken satay and "perut satay" was a tad too sweet for my tooth but it doesnt matter. The adrenalin rush earlier compensates for that.
Finally having filled my enthusiasm, I have to fill my stomach and had late dinner at Lau Pa Sat with excitement of the race still filling the air. However Fatman chicken satay and "perut satay" was a tad too sweet for my tooth but it doesnt matter. The adrenalin rush earlier compensates for that.
2 Felipe Massa (Brazilian) Ferrari
3 Robert Kubica (Polish) BMW Sauber
4 Kimi Raikkonen (Finnish) Ferrari
5 Nick Heidfeld (German) BMW Sauber
6 Heikki Kovalainen(Finnish) McLaren-Mercedes
7 Fernando Alonso (Spanish) Renault
8 Jarno Trulli (Italian) Toyota
9 Sebastian Vettel (German) STR-Ferrari
10 Mark Webber (Australian) Red Bull - Renault
11 Timo Glock (German) Toyota
12 Nelsinho Piquet (Brazilian) Renault13
13 Rubens Barichello(Brazilian)Honda
14 Nico Rosberg (German) Williams-Toyota
15 Kazuki Nakajima (Japanese) Williams-Toyota
16 Daid Coulthard (British) Red Bull-Renault
17 Sebatien Bourdais (French) STR-Ferrari
18 Jenson Button (British) Honda
19 Giancarlo Fisichella (Italian) Force India-Ferrari
20 Adrian Sutil (German) Force India-Ferrari
A close friend has raised concerns because a day prior to the event, the traffic leading to CBD was really heavy causing delays which otherwise on normal days was a breeze going in. I do had my problems with taxis even as far away in the east and we hoped to get our lives back to normal after the event when the rara has simmered. Here's his review in a recently created blog surprisingly inspired by me on blogging to share his views on current issues including Formula One; Do share your comments in his blog.

Well illuminated circuits for the night runs are necessary for the race drivers.

This is truly a historic moment for Singapore as it rushes to do finishing touches to the Formula One Street Circuit converted from the busy nearby Central Business District roads by diverting all traffics for 3days and isolating this area for this purpose. It will be ASIA'S FIRST FORMULA ONE STREET RACE. Anyone who passes by this area would have seen the seemingly insurmountable tasks to put up barricades and steel fences, spectators grandstand, viewing galleries and special Maoli lighting effects along the circuit length of 5067km for FORMULA ONE'S FIRST HISTORIC NIGHT RACE to be held in Singapore. It's a double first.

I was not caught by the race fever as I have never attended any grandprix that revved up my interest but a call from my sister on a Friday afternoon, inviting me to view the Formula One NIGHT PRACTICE SESSION from UOB Plaza was a chance never to be missed as this promises a bird's eye view of the circuitry street race besides the vroom, vroom deafening noise which could still be heard from atop. Earlier, I had fixed a dinner appointment with a friend but was cancelled last minute with this sudden interest

One of the office's room has been converted into a F1 event for their staff to enjoy. Check the walkway.....you are doing the Formula One as you walk versus teh real circuit below .....

The circuits length with 23 turns stretched from City Hall Padang area, Anderson Bridge and into the Marina area and the race drivers have to complete 61laps at a speed of about close to 300km/hr. Of course, the public have concerns on the danger posed with such high speeds racing, unheard of in Singapore, and not in some backyards in faraway Jurong but right in the heart of town. Many would have held their breadth but Friday's test run and Saturday's qualifying rounds have put the public back in confidence of the feasibility and the ability of the organisers, hotel and property magnate Ong Beng Seng and Bernie Ecclestone who runs Formula One and backed by the Singapore Government, to hold such a successful event.

As I was just downstairs at UOB Plaza, I heard the first vroom vroom sound and the first roar began at 7.00pm. The two practices of 61laps each on Friday saw Lewis Hamilton coming out first at 1min 45.518sec and slipped to 2nd position after Alonso at 1min 45.654sec on the second practice.

Watch out for Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen as they represent their respective teams:

1 Lewis Hamilton (British) McLaren-Mercedes

Who do you root for ?

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