Ian De Cotta
[email protected]
IT WILL be the only one of its kind and will surely generate huge
interest.
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With the National Stadium making way for a new Sports Hub, the
National Day Parade on Aug 9 has taken on extra significance as it
will be held on a floating platform built on Marina Bay.
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There will also be another first, during the month-long celebration
as Singapore turns 42.
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Sources have revealed that organisers are looking at linking up
with Motorsport Asia Ltd to hold a motor race sometime during the
month, both as part of the birthday festivities and to also give
Singaporeans a feel of motor-racing, as the country gears up to
host a Formula 1 Grand Prix next year.
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The National Day Parade (NDP) organising committee refused to
comment on any development, with a spokeswoman saying yesterday
that plans for events during August are still at an early
stage.
.
"Details of NDP celebrations are still being firmed up right now.
As such, it is premature to comment on this issue," she
added.
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Motorsport Asia Ltd organise the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia, Formula
V6 Asia by Renault, Formula BMW Asia and the Asian Touring Car
Championship.
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They have been running Formula 1 support events for the Sepang
Grand Prix since 2003 and the Shanghai Grand Prix since 2004. They
will do so again this year, with the Sepang race on April 8 and the
Shanghai showpiece on Oct 7.
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When contacted yesterday, Motorsport Asia Ltd chief executive
officer, David Sonenscher, also refused to comment on any link-up
with Singapore.
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"Any promoter would love to get involved with a motor racing event
in Singapore," said the 43-year-old Englishman, who was in
Singapore yesterday.
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"If there is a possibility of organising one, we would certainly
love to be a part of it.
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"That said, it is a huge undertaking to organise a motor-racing
event on a street, but we have the expertise and have designed
circuits in Taiwan and elsewhere."
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In exclusive reports last week, Today revealed that two groups, one
led by hotel and property tycoon Ong Beng Seng and the other by
ONE°15 luxury marina club developer Arthur Tay, were bidding to
snag hosting rights for a Formula 1 race in Singapore next
year.
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Negotiations with Bernie Ecclestone's Formula One Management
company are thought to be at an advanced stage and if successful a
street circuit would be the feature of the Singapore leg.
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Sonenscher was part of a consortium formed to design a Formula 1
street circuit in Singapore, but lost the bid to German Hermann
Tilke.
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When asked about the viability of holding a street race here in
August, he said: "Studies need to be conducted to get a street
track up. The logistics and the costs are high, but it should be
possible with the help of the Singapore Motor Sports
Association."
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Meanwhile, Paul Cherry, whose A1 Grand Prix series is also bidding
to hold a street race here, welcomed the news of the possibility of
Formula 1 coming to Singapore.
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"We are happy that the idea of Singapore hosting a motor race is
gaining momentum," said the A1GP general manager.
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"We too, have our own proposal for a street track showcasing all
that is gloriously Singapore. We will be presenting to the relevant
authorities soon so that
they can decide what suits Singapore."
Formula 1 support event could be part of National Day
celebrations
