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.
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"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 Â… they can decide what suits Singapore." Formula 1 support event could be part of National Day celebrations
