Excitement grows in Singapore ahead of Grand Prix season

As Singapore prepares to host its first ever Formula One Grand Prix and the world’s first night race on 28 September, the country is revving up the excitement with a range of adrenalin-inducing events, exhibitions and performances that will make up the Singapore GP Season from 20 September to 5 October.

Visitors to Singapore during this time can expect to party at the inaugural Singapore River Festival, taste hundreds of well-known beers from around the world at the Singapore Beer Festival, as well as test their racing skills on a simulated Grand Prix circuit for the chance to win a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to race against Nico Rosberg, the main AT&T Williams F1 driver.

Oris Swiss Watches and Air Asia are running the Oris Air Asia Grand Prix Challenge at Millenia Walk for people to experience the thrills of Formula One racing by driving a life-size AT&T Williams F1 Team simulator. Participants will race around the track for two laps and the fastest lap time will be recorded. The top three will have the enviable opportunity to pit their driving skills against Nico Rosberg, at the simulator, on 25 September.

Car enthusiasts won’t want to miss the Singapore Motorshow 2008 that returns for another adrenalin-charged event, showcasing cutting-edge concept cars, the newest automobiles and the latest motor accessories and services. Or the ING Renault F1 Team Pavilion where a full-sized replica of a real Formula One steering wheel and interactive story-boards will offer a peek behind the scenes of the ING Renault F1 team, a great experience for all F1 fans.

The 2008 Formula One SingTel Singapore Grand Prix will make Formula One history by being the first ever night race and first street race in Asia. The exhilarating circuit in downtown Singapore will pass by some of the most iconic landmarks of the city as well as many five star hotels, restaurants and bars and entertainment venues, offering excellent viewing opportunities for spectators and is already billed as one of the most atmospheric races of the season.

The whole city will be buzzing in the run up to Grand Prix with a host of dining and retail promotions, as well exclusive product launches such as a limited edition Johnnie Walker Black Label pack that is available exclusively at the DFS outlet at Changi Airport for 30 days from 1 August, the unveiling of a new TAG Heuer watch, inspired by racing driving and a S$19,700 Mickey Mouse Racing Singapore watch produced by Gerald Genta.

Visitors to the city will also be able to view more than 100 timepieces and exclusive limited editions from prestigious watchmakers, Bulgari, who have produced finely crafted jeweled watches in platinum and diamonds since 1920, at the Bulgari Watch Exhibition 2008.

The Singapore Tourism Board has just launched a fun video game on their web site to showcase the Singapore Grand Prix circuit and encourage visitors to the site to enter into the spirit of F1 racing, by testing their driving skills without leaving their desks! The overseas player who clocks the fastest time will win the grand prize of a pair of return economy airfares to Singapore and a 3 day 2 night stay for two in a hotel. Full details of the Uniquely Singapore Racer can be found at Visitsingapore.com/racer.

Highlights of the Singapore GP Season include the Singapore River Festival (19-28 September), the Amber Lounge (27-28 September), Singapore Beer Festival (2-5 October), Singapore Biennale 2008 (11 September – 16 November), Bulgari Watch Exhibition 2008 (18-28 September), Master’s Formula – The Artistic Drive (25 September – 26 October), Diana Krall Live in Concert (26 September), Singapore Motor Show 2008 (26 September – 5 October), Michelin-star Guest Chef, Laurent Peugeot (22-28 September), the Oris Air Asia Grand Prix Challenge (17-30 September), ING Renault F1 Team Pavilion (29 August – 28 September), and the Tag Heuer “Racing Legends of Our Time” Exhibition (19 – 28 September).

For more details on all the events of the Singapore Grand Prix Season, log on to Visitsingapore.com/sgpseason.