Singapore Gran Prix: Details Released On F1’s First-Ever Night Race

All systems are go for first-ever night race in FORMULA 1’s history that will take place on 28 September 2008. Singapore received in-principle approval from the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) on 28 September 2007, for the proposed 5.067km-long street circuit. One of the most interesting aspects of the race is how the organizers will lighten up the roads.

The company that will handle this special task is lighting specialists Valerio Maioli S.p.a. from Italy. According to the organizers, Valerio has designed a bespoke, state-of-the-art lighting system that promises to deliver optimal visibility for night race conditions. The system minimizes glare and reflections from a wet surface or spray from cars by using lighting projectors strategically positioned on one side of the track. -Continued after the jump

The Italian lighting specialist will use 108,423m of power cables, 240 steel pylons and around 1,500 light projectors, with a total power requirement of over three giga-watts. At 3000lux levels, the lighting will be four times brighter than the lights at sports stadiums. Even if you aren’t a Formula 1 fan, this is one race that you shouldn’t miss out on next year.

Fact Sheet

Official Title	2008 FORMULA 1TM SingTel Singapore Grand Prix
About FORMULA 1™ Singapore Grand Prix:	The inaugural FORMULA 1TM SingTel Singapore Grand Prix will take place on 28 September 2008 on a street circuit of public roads around the Marina Bay area. The race is the 15th round of the 2008 FORMULA 1™ race calendar and includes a bespoke state-of-the-art lighting system that delivers optimal visibility for night race conditions. The race will be the first in Formula 1™ history held at night and is the first FORMULA 1™ street race to be held in Asia. Positioned as the Monaco of the East, it is the most anticipated race on the 2008 Grand Prix calendar.
Official website:	www.singaporegp.sg
Venue:	Marina Bay – in the heart of Singapore – just minutes from 5-star hotels, the MRT underground system, the bustling business district and historic landmarks such as City Hall and The Padang which form part of Singapore’s heritage hub.
Start time:	2000 hours (local time)
Title sponsor:	SingTel, Asia’s leading telecommunications company.
Race Promoter:	Singapore GP Pte Ltd
Sanctioning Body:	Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA)
Expected attendance:	80,000 spectators
Ticketing:	3-day Corporate hospitality packages were first released on 28 November 2007, to be followed by 3-Day general passes in mid-January 2008. 1-day ticket sales will commence before Chinese New Year, in February 2008.
Track description
Track length:	5.067km / 3.148 miles*
Race direction:	Anti-clockwise
Number of turns :	24, consisting of 14 left turns and 10 right turns
Maximum speed:	In excess of 300kph
Slowest corner:	80 – 100 kph
Overtaking opportunities:	Turn 1: Pit StraightTurn 7: Raffles Boulevard Turn 15: Esplanade Drive
Track design consultant:	Kellogg Brown & Root Pty Ltd, Australia
Number of laps:	61*
Race Distance:	308.95 km* (*Info subject to FIA confirmation)
(If you are a maths whizz and HAVE calculated that the race distance is incorrect (5.067 x 61 = 309.087 km), here is the reason: The start and finish lines aren’t in the same places. The start line is at the beginning of the straight, while the finish line is somewhere close to the middle of the straight - hence the difference.)
Lighting System
Power	3,180,000 watt
Track Projectors	1,485 @ 2,000 watt each
Power Generators	12 (twin-power)
Power Cables	108, 423m
Overall Luminosity	3000lux levels (four times brighter than a sports stadium)
Set up	2 to 3 months, from second quarter of 2008