V8 SuperCars Eager to Ride on the Singapore F1 Wave

V8 Supercars chairman Tony Cochrane has expressed his interest in organising a V8 Supercar race on the same weekend as the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix on 28th September 2008.

Discussions with Singapore GP Pte Ltd, the official race organisers of the Singapore Grand Prix, have already gone underway according to the news sources. Cochrane said that the V8 Supercars event will not be a supporting race of the F1 race, but rather, they will be held on the day before the F1 race (i.e, 27th September).

The V8s series are currently held only New Zealand and Bahrain, with a non-championship round in the Albert Park circuit (also used by the Formula 1 event) and a Townsville Street Race in 2009.

If the current discussions are unsuccessful, the V8s organisers are still keen to have a race in Singapore to widen the audience reach.

Singapore: Permanent Racetrack to be Built

The motorsports fever in Singapore is in fullswing as the government opened up a site in Changi for proposals to build it into a permanent racetrack.

This race track however, will be a Grade 2 racetrack* and will not be able to host the Formula 1 Grand Prix. Motorsports fans in Singapore can look forward to races like the A1GP, MotoGP, Japan GP, as well as many other races. Testing of cars and driving training courses can also be conducted on the race track.

The race track should be between 2.8km to 3.5km or more, making it one of the most compact and efficient race track in Asia. The government is looking at a seating capacity of 15,000 or more, with the possibility of adding temporary structures to accomodate more seatings.

With the seafront location, the track is set to be one of the most scenic in the region. The estimated cost is set to be around $84 million, with no government funding, and is expected to be completed by 2011.

The government has also indicated their clear interest in pursuing a motorsports industry in Singapore, with plans to not only involve Singaporeans as spectators, but a chance to develop motorsports talent in the Republic. "A chance for a driving school perhaps... some kind of academy that'll give the driver a chance to get on the pathway. It will allow the masses to enjoy this, not only as a spectator but also to drive," said Oon Jin Teik, CEO of Singapore Sports Council.

*Grade 2 FIA-approved motor sports racetrack capable of hosting any motor race for both motorcycles and cars, other than Formula One. Also includes a Grade 1 FIA-CIK-approved karting track.

Singapore Set to be the Regional Racing Hub?

Plans to bring more forms of motorsports to Singapore are roaring ahead with the latest being the possibility of bringing in the Volvo Ocean Race here.

According to a report on The Straits Times, discussions to bring in the Volvo Ocean Race (one of the largest competition for 70-foot racing yachts) are already in the final stretch with a contract signing to be done next month.

Similar to Formula 1, the Volvo Ocean Race would mean huge media coverage for Singapore during the 10-month duration of the event. The event takes place once every 4 years.

Another big event that looks possible to take place in Singapore in the near future is the high-profiled Red Bull Air Race. If Singapore fulfils the bidding criteria, we could be considered as a 2009 circuit. Again, the media coverage would be extensive on the host country, especially with one of the criteria being that "the host city should be easily recognisable to the watching millions world-wide".

With the Formula 1 race in Singapore happening next year September 28, it should not be a problem for the country to meet that criteria, as the race is set within the heart of the city and numerous key buildings will be captured during the course of the race as the cars zip around the street circuit.