sojournsingapore photography by paul-henri cahier courtesy of SIngapore Tourism Board
Formula For Success
It’s F1 season in Singapore and everyone’s revving up for the big race. What’s going on in the city? Aside from the excitement on the track, hotels and F&B establishments are getting in on the act with offerings too good to resist, says MICHAEL FRANCO In 1895 a man named Emile Levassor settled into his Panhard et Levassor automobile and “raced” across the French countr yside, travelling from Paris to Bourdeaux and back again in 48 hours. His average speed? Around 48.12 kilometres per hour. It might not sound like much by today’s standards, but it was enough to make him the winner in what is regarded as the world’s first-ever auto race. Since then, fascination with fast cars and high-octane competitions has steadily grown, reaching new heights with the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix. As the world’s first-ever F1 night race, the event was as monumental to the sport of motor racing as was Levassor’s spin along his country’s roads over one hundred years ago. In fact, Formula One commentator Murray Walker said: “I have been going to Grands Prix since 1948 and have see many ‘first time’ events in countries all over the world, but I can honestly say that I had never before seen one that was so well organised and administered and, most importantly, such fun and had such a massive impact on the sport and the public.” Of course, a few things have changed since Levassor’s race. In last year’s event, the maximum speed reached was 298 kph by McLaren Mercedes driver Heikki Kovalainen. And, considering much of Levassor’s ride would have been driven on unlit country roads sans proper headlamps, the lighting system designed exclusively for Singapore’s race is impressive indeed. Created by Italian lighting specialists Valerio Maioli S.P.A., it consists of 108.4 km of power cables, 240 steel pylons, and 1,600 lights. Each 2,000-watt beacon is individually designed to light a specific section of the course and beam illumination through a
50 |
| www.frequenttraveller.com.sg
projection method designed to eliminate glare. The entire system is powered by 12 pairs of diesel generators that can back each other up, leaving nothing to chance.
Less Tech, More Action Interestingly, while Singapore’s 2008 Grand Prix may have been the pinnacle of technological advancement both in terms of cars and track, this year will see a slight scaling back of technology—implemented to make the action even more thrilling. The Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the governing body of Formula One, has ruled that cars in the 2009 circuit will need to be more paired down than in seasons past. Previously, fittings known as barge boards, winglets, turning vanes and chimneys have been use to help aerodynamically push the car downwards, increasing its performance. This year, these items are effectively outlawed because, while they help a vehicle manoeuvre to victory, they create a great deal of turbulence for cars behind them. This leads to less overtaking because it is simply unsafe for racers to get too close to one other. With these features removed, however, the action will be tighter and more dramatic than ever as drivers take greater risks zooming past each other. Additionally, cars will return to a type of tyre not used since 1999—slick tyres that have no grooves or patterns. These tyres allow the maximum amount of rubber to contact the track surface, providing for a 20% increase in mechanical grip and 110% increase in excitement.
Go Speed Racer In a leap forward technologically, the FIA has made a Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) available to F1 teams for the first
time. This system takes the energy generated from braking and stores it in either a battery or mechanical flywheel. The driver will be allowed to use this energy—a la Speed Racer—by pressing a button for a boost of power which could catapult him past competitors. Of course, teams will need to weigh the benefits of the system against its impact on the car’s total weight. Slight modifications to the track are also planned. Turn 1, by the Benjamin Sheares Bridge was already a hot spot for overtaking in last year’s race. This year, the battles here should be even greater as the bend is being made slightly tighter and slower—which also makes it a great spot to get a good look at the cars. And the radius of turns 14 and 15, by the Fullerton Hotel and Esplanade Theatres respectively, is being increased, allowing drivers to accelerate earlier. They are now anticipated to be able to reach 280kph in sixth gear over the Esplanade Bridge.
Get Off Track So that’s the action on the track. What about around it? As Formula One is a worldwide event, it is fitting that entertainers from around the globe will be making appearances at the 2009 race. The United States will deliver growling gospel legend Mavis Staples as well as “I’m Every Woman” soul-superstar Chaka Khan. Additionally, a reunited Backstreet Boys (who had a dozen top 40 hits in their heyday) will fill the night air on the Padang with their old favourites as well as with their new, more mature sound. Pop-classical group Il Divo will also perform. From Senegal, the event will be graced by the angelic and Grammy-winning voice of Youssou N’Dour, a magnificent artist from Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential list.