Formula 1 night in Singapore

Formula 1 was back in Singapore for the second year. The promotions for the race have been going on for months. It was finally time to get the show on the road, so to speak.

The race itself was but a two hour event Sunday night, but the events surrounding the main attraction filled a whole 3 day weekend, and them some. There was a big "F1 Rocks" concert event that started on Thursday night. Beyonce, The Black Eyed Peas, No Doubt and other U.S. stars joined a number of Asian bands to kick off the race weekend. There were also numerous other live performances scattered throughout the weekend, many during the racing day. (More on that later).

Friday and Saturday were for practice and qualifying for the main event on Sunday. Vicky and I got tickets for Saturday as the Sunday tickets were mostly sold out or prohibitively expensive (S$1,500 and up for grandstand seats and special events). Gates opened at 3, even though the qualifying runs did not start until 10 p.m. It was going to be a long, hot day.

Getting to the venue was a breeze. We took the MRT (subway) right to one of the entrances. Up the stairs, through security, and right into the grounds. Even with the bag check, it did not take long to get inside. Typical Singapore efficiency at work once again.

There were a number of smaller races and qualifying runs going on throughout the day -- prior to the big cars hitting the track. Right when we got in and found a place to stand and watch some of the action, a car flipped somewhere on the track causing a red flag and the end of that qualifying run. As there was some downtime, we decided to wander around the venue and orient ourselves -- trying to find a prime spot to watch things later.

The racetrack is a twisting, turning amalgamation of city streets configured into a 5km course with over 20 turns. Spectator areas were spread through the city, split into 4 different zones. We were in zone 1 -- the largest of the sections. It encompassed at least 3 different sections, connected by overpasses and underground passages so that you could watch the races from many different angles and different sides of the track.

Many of the sights along the racecourse were really amazing. Old, stone buildings lined one section, while huge modern skyscrapers lines other sections of the track. The course went over a long bridge over the harbor providing for some really cool views of the cars racing by with the water in the background.

Our first viewing position was right by a 90+ degree turn, leading to a long straightaway. It was amazing to hear the cars rushing into the corner, quickly downshifting and braking, then shooting out of the turn and taking off into the distance, especially when we were a mere 10 feet or so from the course! Small, raised platforms were provided to allow more fans to get a good look at the track.

Speaking of the platforms -- the organization and design of the race event was fantastic. There were plenty of food and drink vendors (with prices surprisingly reasonable for a sporting event -- unlike back home), first aid stations, information booths, attendants and signs to tell you where to go. Not only that, given the large amount of downtime between races and practice sessions, there needed to be other things to keep people preoccupied when things were slow.

Scattered throughout the grounds were a number of stages. Bands, DJ's and other music was performed at each during the times between races. In addition, at the end of the night, there were a number of concerts to entertain fans (and I suspect help spread out how many people left the venue at one time). There was also a large field behind one of the main straightaway sections, where one of the main stages was set up, that also had two giant screens showing the events on the track, and providing commentary as to what was going on. It was great to be able to sit on the grass, try to cool off a little (despite it being 10 at night it was still 30+ degrees Celsius (85+ degrees Fahrenheit) and really humid (75% at least)) and catch all the different action -- not just the limited bit you could see if you decided to stay at one section of the track.

Prior to the main qualifying run, while we were chilling on the grass we were treated to a bizarre performance piece -- which we did not realize was anything at first. Five people on stilts, wrapped in long white sheet-like togas, with faces painted white began wandering around the crowd. After a few minutes, some weird music started and the people started to ... inflate. The robes started expanding and they slowly turned into giant walking Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man looking guys -- with giant, inflated heads bobbing about. They danced around to the strange (almost tribal-like) music. Three bird shaped floating shapes were brought in, flapping and "flying" about. The five figures joined the "birds" and they all started to light up! They all had lights inside making them glow. The performance continued for about 25 minutes. Overall, it was really pretty cool -- rather strange, but still pretty cool.

Right on time, after the performance, the qualifying laps started for the F1 cars. (It was amazing how right on schedule the races stayed all night -- always starting right on time.) Vicky and I hung-out on the large lawn, watching the big screens, listening to the cars scream by (they are amazingly loud, even with earplugs). At the end of the first round, which was 12 minutes long, the bottom 5 (of 20) cars were sent to the garage. After a short 7 minute break, another 12 minute round was held, again kicking the bottom 5 times to the garage. The final qualifying round included the 10 remaining cars -- all vying for the pole positions! Amazingly, the total time differentiating the first and last car was less than 2 seconds! These cars and their drivers are so close in performance that only hundredths (if not thousandths) of a second separate their times around the course.

At the conclusion of the qualifying, we decided to head out. Tired, hot and sweaty from the long day, we were ready to face the mobs cramming into the MRT station and trying to flee the venue. Like many other things here in Singapore, this process was a model of efficiency. It was unlike most of my experiences leaving a major sporting/concert event back home. The crowds kept moving in an organized group. Plenty of police and security were on hand to keep the people moving (people trying to stop, blocking the paths were immediately told to keep moving). We walked straight down to the MRT and onto the waiting train -- no waiting. It really was impressive how well organized everything was.

Overall, it was a fun evening. Well organized, lots to do, good food and cool drinks -- you couldn't ask for much more (except maybe slightly less humidity and lower temperatures :-) Tomorrow, off to the Jurong Bird Park!