Organisers of the inaugural 2008 Formula 1 SingTel Singapore Grand Prix are now demonstrating the lighting system that will make history in September, when Singapore hosts the world’s first night race on the Formula 1 calendar.16 lighting projectors have been set up on a 64-metre stretch of St Andrew’s Road in front of the Padang. Simulating daylight conditions, the projectors are installed on aluminium trusses supported by three towers, each approximately 10 metres tall placed 32 metres apart and supported by a footing system with a steel plate.

The set-up offers a snapshot of the lighting infrastructure that will be used during the race event. This bespoke state of the art lighting system consists of pylons and footing system supplied by Singapore contractors, projectors by Philips and aluminium trusses from Italy. It will remain on St Andrews Road until 6 April 2008, and members of the public can view the lighting infrastructure from 7pm till midnight daily.

The entire track will be fitted with nearly 1,500 lighting projectors and will be powered by 12 twin-power generators. An overall average of about 3000lux levels is required to illuminate the circuit, which is enough to meet High Definition Television broadcast standards. As a result, the track will be almost four times brighter than a typical stadium. Installation of the lighting system will be carried out in stages, starting with the Pit Straight in end-May with completion targeted for 31 August 2008.

The live demonstration of the lighting system is the latest milestone as Singapore prepares for race day in September. The pit building is 65% complete and well on track to be ready by end-June. In the advanced stages of completion are the modification works to existing roads, such as the removal of kerbs and traffic islands along the track, as well as the expansion of the Promenade at the National Day Parade seating gallery. The rest of the road works, such as the construction of a new track section in front of the pit building and the construction of a service road and tunnel to the pit building, are expected to be completed by end-May.

Mr Lim Neo Chian, Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive at the Singapore Tourism Board, who chairs the Formula 1 Working Committee, noted the project’s steady progress. “Preparations for the race are in full swing and we are on schedule to stage the inaugural 2008 Formula 1 SingTel Singapore Grand Prix. While we’ve still some way to go, works are progressing smoothly. The anticipation is building in Singapore, with an exciting line-up of lifestyle events being organised to enhance the visitor experience during the race period. We look forward to welcoming visitors to Singapore to enjoy our unique race and other festivities.”

The Singapore GP Season (20 September to 5 October 2008) features a number of quality lifestyle events surrounding the Formula 1 race. Besides the Singapore River Festival (19 to 28 Sept), the Formula One - The Great Design Race (25 Aug to 2 Oct) at the National Museum of Singapore, the Singapore Biennale (11 Sept to 16 Nov) and the Singapore Motorshow 2008 (26 Sept to 5 Oct) at Suntec Singapore. Other highlights include:

- Singapore is one of just five Formula 1 race destinations selected to host the Amber Lounge party (27 to 28 Sept), at the Conrad Centennial Singapore. This premium event attracts race drivers, team principals, team sponsors and international celebrities;

- The Hefner Collection: Chinese Contemporary Oil Paintings (1 to 28 Sept) at the National Museum of Singapore will be the first time that the private collection, regarded as one of the world’s most important collections of its kind, will be on public display;

- The Bvlgari Watch Exhibition 2008 (18 to 28 Sept) at the Paragon features more than 100 exquisitely crafted timepieces by the luxury brand on show and for sale, including limited edition timepieces created exclusively for this event; and

- The Diana Krall Live in Concert (26 Sept 2008) at the Marina at Keppel Bay kicks off the Asian tour for the world’s best selling jazz artist.
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