SINGAPORE: It was a race never before seen in Asia. In a
bid to rev up publicity for the Formula 1 night race taking place
later this month, Singapore's Changi Airport organised a race
between a jet plane and a sports car.
It was a race that had taken months to prepare and was made tougher
by the fact that it was going to happen in one of the busiest
airports in the world.
And as 500 guests, including 200 members of the public who'd won
tickets in a shopping promotion, gathered under the scorching sun,
it was time for the final showdown.
It was a race between a Jett8 Boeing 747 on the runway and a
Porsche racing car on the taxiway.
But first, a false alarm as the car took off and the plane stayed
put. Then finally, they were off racing 1.7 kilometres.
While many couldn't figure out who won in the end, judges ruled it
was the car by just 0.4 seconds with a jubilant Yuey Tan getting
the trophy in the end.
Although in the heat of the race, both men didn't know who was
leading.
Mr Tan said: "Yes I checked twice. I was like ‘Oh no’ when the
plane was going, I was just waiting for the results. I could see
the plane coming after me, so I wasn't really sure who had won in
the end."
Captain Peter Leo who had to take off also got the results
later.
It’s not all fun and games being in the driver's seat, which is
quite literally the hot seat.
Car or plane, the crowd had a blast of a time although many
continued rooting for their favourites, even after the race.
Said one spectator: "The car would have high pickup at the
beginning of a race, then would not accelerate as fast as the
plane. So, the plane for me was really winning.”
The airport has planned even more F1-related activities in the
coming weeks. - CNA/vm
Source:
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1003101/1/.html
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Well... the GT3 RSR won...
