Another feather in the hat

Or rather, another Singapore flag planted firmly on the map of
major international events.

Tonight is the night where racing royalty the likes of Lewis Hamilton, Felipe Massa, Fernando Alonso & Co will exceed even the most generous of local speed limits by more than a couple of times to race down the tree/colonial building/skyscraper-lined streets as well as century-old and contemporary bridges of Singapore, with the blessing of the government of this famously lawful city-state.

In fact, 60% of the cost of turning this racing fantasy into a reality
came out of the nation's piggy bank.

Despite concerns of visibility and safety by some F1 drivers when the concept of a night race was first announced, we have delivered on the deal to turn night into day, as experienced by the drivers at the first practise session
on 26 September, thanks to a bespoke, state-of-the-art lighting system set up along the 5.067km track.

It had been said that European cities would typically require a period of 2 years or so to set up a Grand Prix, but our little island has gotten everything and everyone ready for a flag-off in a mere 10 months.

I think that comment came from a certain main man of all this racing business.
I can't be certain if I heard that correctly though since it was something my ears caught on the news when my mind was fully focused on bringing the dinner to
my mouth. And I can't be certain either if there are any varying factors between the Grand Prix events that give rise to the time difference in preparation between countries, but well, there it goes again - my patriotism is doing a jubilant little dance.

Reuters has gathered the following reviews after the F1 teams' first night
on the track:

"The visibility is great and you don't really feel like you are driving at night with all the lights on the track." - Ferrari's world champion Kimi Raikkonen

"An amazing venue. It's a very physical circuit -- more than I expected, actually, I'd say it requires double the energy of Monaco over a single lap." - McLaren Mercedes Formula 1 race driver Lewis Hamilton

"Atmospherically probably the best pictures ever seen in F1," he said. "The scenery -- it's unreal, it's like in a movie. It's a big, big step forward for Formula One." - Mercedes motorsport vice-president Norbert Haug

"Singapore had become the marquee race on the calendar.The atmosphere is fantastic, the style of the place is unique, this was a good start to what will become the most exceptional race weekend of the year." - BMW-Sauber Team Technical Director Willy Rampf

Tonight is the night of the inaugural Formula 1 Grand Prix Night Race.

In the world, in Singapore.

P.S. I was at Funan Centre yesterday evening and when I stepped out of the building, it was as if I had walked right onto the F1 track itself - the entire Raffles Place district was roaring with the sound of the F1 cars burning tyres at their practise session. It was an adrenaline-pumping experience, and the night seemed more alive than usual. Lovely.