Singapore Street GP ?

[Chaynes321]

http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=32535

interesting?

[steve_r]

And why not?

Has anyone released details of the proposed track layout?

[Gt_R]

Being a Singaporean, you can't imagine how much i'd love to see F1 being held here.

I'd be objective. I think that Singapore can offer a lot to F1 as much as F1 can offer to Singapore. i've long thought that Singapore GP does fit the "image" of F1. It is disappointing that it took Singapore so long to react to the advantages an F1 Grand Prix will bring to Singapore, while they spent much time deliberating on other issues (ie Casino-resort, e Esplanade etc).

F1 is possible to happen in Singapore. A street race would be brilliant especially if it's around the city area. No worries of Monaco-alike, the roads here are sufficiently long and wide and smooth enough.

The only two "problems" would be how receptive some part of the government may be to this idea, and how the effect it would have on Sepang.

I've seen a proposed layout of 3.5km which is designed to attract Japan GT racing to Singapore a year plus back, it didn't quite work out right yet. And i do not know if the latest news does indeed build on the old plan or a fresh proposal.

It would be interesting to see how it work out. I won't put too much money on it happening, as the idea is too much in it's infancy. But that said, it would be exciting to see developements of a new city-circuit (instead of another HT-designed circuit), and who knows..even a new circuit on a tourist island similar to Montreal GP.

And instead of being satisfied with F1, i think the motorsports association should target a wider range of series just to build up on motorsports culture here.

[Hugh Jarce]

Proposed street races are becomming the 'in thing'.

London obviously floated a proposal last year.

It would be interesting to know the relative costs with converting a city once a year to building a race track from scratch. I suspect in the short/medium term it would be cheaper to put stands up round a city than build a massive new infrastructure.

Incidently with the Singapore chewing gum laws how would the authorities react to all that rubber being deposited?

[BSchneiderFan]

Sooner or later, we will have to accept that the F1 calendar is full and ask ourselves what we're going to do about it. We have 19 races this season, and proposals for races in London, Russia, India and, now, Singapore. Could having a race every other season be feasible? The FIA could pair circuits, like Silverstone and Brands Hatch used to alternate the hosting of the British GP. But what is to be done?

[ActiveMS]

Originally Posted by BSchneiderFan

Sooner or later, we will have to accept that the F1 calendar is full and ask ourselves what we're going to do about it. We have 19 races this season, and proposals for races in London, Russia, India and, now, Singapore. Could having a race every other season be feasible? The FIA could pair circuits, like Silverstone and Brands Hatch used to alternate the hosting of the British GP. But what is to be done?

Definitely agree, there must be an upper limit.
I think this would work for street circuits especially considering the relative cost, but the more permanent circuits would probably go bust if they missed out a year. I guess overall the circuits that make it onto the calendar are the ones who bring the most capital, in terms of cash, sponsorship etc etc.
Will be interesting to see what happens though.

IMHO a street circuit in Singapore would be much more interesting than races at Sepang and other Tilke type circuits.

[Dog Faced Boy]

I think pairing would be a brilliant idea. We should also get rid of the fact that some countries have two GP's (Germany, Italy). Silverstone+London, Nurburgring+Hockenheim should be paired and San Marino scrapped. Events in counties where F1 is not so popular i.e Hungary+Turkey could also alternate. This would reduce the amount of European races to 8.

We could then allocate Europe just 8 races on a permanant basis. 3 prestige races Monoco,Monza,Spa and 5 alternating bi annual races.

8 to the Continents Japan, Australia, China full time with others like Singapore,Malaysia,Bahrain,India and maybe a couple of African Nations bi-annually.

And 3 to the America's(USA+Brazil with Canada alternating with a 2nd South American race.

Hopefully this takes into account those who make a big contribution to F1, History and where the manufacturers expanding markets are whilst still giving scope for new countries to host GP's.

EVERYBODY'S HAPPY
*Hides under table*

[Kicking-back]

Why should the British Grand Prix, the country where most F1 teams and people are based only be run every second year?

That would be stupid.

[Silk Cut Jaguar]

We're at 19 races now, I think it's inevitable that Germany and Italy will lose their second races in the very near future. That drops it back down to 17 with two slots spare.

Some tracks contracts are up for renewal in a year or two, perfect time to drop those in favour of other newcomers aswell.

I suspect over the next five or six years we'll see three or four new tracks replacing current circuits, but I doubt we'll ever go over 19 unless the scheduling is started from February and the testing limits are worked out.

[Rob29]

Don't think we are anywhere near the upper limit for number of races.Most F1 teams of the day contested 21 meetings in 1972. I think there were more in the 60s with 8 in NZ/AUS. Nascar manages 38.

[maximus]

I'd love there to be a GP in Singapore! It would fit perfectly if the track is right IMHO.

[Knowlesy]

Hmmm......not convinced it'd be all that great.

[Sodemo]

I can't really see why there can't be 20 races, I mean surely its just a case of starting earlier and / or finishing later in the year???

[Knowlesy]

You seem to be ignoring the expense involved.

F1 seasons seem to be getting too long now anyways. If they get too long, we'll lose out on anticipation of individual races, each meeting will have less significance. If you see what I mean...

[ralf fan]

Yes... there needs to a be balance....you cant just keep adding races every year... IF a track like Imola or dull-aroring were dropped i think another street circuit would fit in nicely...

[Xpunk75]

I wouldn't mind seeing some street circuit races at all in F1 again. They are my faveorite type of track to watch racing on and that is why in Enjoy Manco street circuit so much. The only problem I have with it is the F1 cars of today have a hard time passing at Manaco and if we have more of these street circuits comming that they will have the same problem. I think the lay out of the track should be layed out in manner of giving the drivers multiple passing areas on the track to make the race exciting to watch. I also would like to see F1 come back to Long Beach where they race during the 70's that would be awsome. They could turn it another Manaco.

[ausracefan]

Id like to see a race in Singapore, say run it back to back with Malaysia. The problem i see with getting rid of Imola would be the tifosi would go crazy, but i agree that the rule of only 1 race per country should be kept and not broken under false tags e.g European GP at Nurbugring or whereva and San Marino Gp at Imola

[Kicking-back]

Technically Montreal and Melbourne are street circuits too - although I appreciate they're not "city streets" as such

[santori]

A beautiful and interesting place - but I wouldn't go near it until the current legal system is history.

[ttc]

Originally Posted by santori

A beautiful and interesting place - but I wouldn't go near it until the current legal system is history.

Which portion of the current legal system do you think you'll be getting into trouble with?

Asking cos I've been living here for quite a while and haven't really notice that the legal system here needs a full revamp, so would appreciate your feedback. Thx.

[Kicking-back]

F1 races in China and the United States, so I wouldn't be too concerned about the legal system in Singapore...

[Dog Faced Boy]

Originally Posted by Kicking-back

Why should the British Grand Prix, the country where most F1 teams and people are based only be run every second year?

That would be stupid.

Read it again fella. I said Silverstone and London Bi-Annually. Therefore the British Grand Prix would be yearly.

[garcon]

Originally Posted by Hugh Jarce

London obviously floated a proposal last year.

There's a very apt description of the London idea in there somewhere...
It's a nonsense idea from a London mayor who spends the rest of his time plotting how to keep cars out of London...

It'll never happen. And I'm not a fan of new street circuits for F1 anywhere else either - if Singapore wants a race they're gonna have to build a proper circuit.

[Dog Faced Boy]

Any Circuit which encourages overtaking and close racing is fine by me be it a street circuit,proper circuit or grass track around Ruislip Lido.

[Snrub]

Street races aren't cheap to run, but look at the figures thrown around for the new tracks. F1 tracks are obscenely expensive!

As for the number of events, I think the comparison to Nascar is a good one. Nascar has no trouble keeping interest high and they visit some tracks multiple times a season. It's also worth comparing to other major league sports. Baseball in the US in certain cities can pack in 40k+ per night of a 150+ game season!

Costs are definately a concern, but presumable income would increase with an increase in the number of races. F1 needs to be a lot more focused on entertainment rather than R&D.