Ultimate Fan Experience at the 2013 SingTel Singapore GP

What makes the 5.073 km long Marina Bay Circuit a favorite among F1 fans, especially for Filipinos? What drives them to fly all the way to Singapore during that one weekend in September? Could it be the spectacle of witnessing the only night race in F1? The performance artists the Singapore Grand Prix (SGP) management brings over every year to complement the race, or perhaps the week-long citywide sale?

Whatever the reason, the SingTel Singapore GP, which is now on its sixth year, has never been lacking in both on and off track action.

The first step is of course buying your GP tickets online or through the Overseas Ticketing Agents of the Singapore GP, and making your travel arrangements. A first timer could be forgiven in thinking that he is there only to watch the cars go round in circles; some newbies have mentioned that they are just going to see what the hype is all about. But F1 regulars have known something for the longest time, that attending a Grand Prix, especially the SingTel Singapore Grand Prix, is worth every cent.

DRIVERS AUTOGRAPH SESSION:  Singapore GP regular Mr. Ronnie Bermudo, who has been in attendance since since 2009, was awarded with a slot for the drivers autograph session slated on Thursday prior to the GP weekend, he received a call with instructions to proceed to the Concorde hotel at Orchard road. Once there, participants were briefed and given special lanyards granting them special access to the event afterwards. All winners were shuttled into the circuit to the exclusive Paddock Club. Drinks flowed freely, canapes were served, and when everyone had their fill,  all attendees were ushered into the suites for the drivers appearances which began around 8PM. All 22 Formula 1 drivers graced the occasion, they had photos taken, signed for the fans, and basically thanked everyone for attending.  As a Formula 1 fan, this is the best event, and the closest you can ever get to your heroes.

“This was my best F1 experience ever. I was lucky enough to get a pass for the driver’s autograph session and met all 22 drivers! Nothing comes close indeed,” Bermudo mentioned.

Ronnie attended with  six friends (four of whom are first timers), and if their reactions were anything to go by, all of them are very much looking forward to the 2014 Singapore GP.

PIT LANE WALK: Another regular to the Marina Bay Circuit, Mr. Vincent Estrada won in an online contest, “Rev Up Singapore” organized by the SGP Management, wherein 250 lucky winners from all over the world would win a pair of passes for the Thursday Pit Lane Experience ahead of the circuits opening on Friday. Vincent took along his colleague, Mark Anthony Menor for the pit lane walk and see the team garages up close and, as the photos would show, even got to mingle with a fellow F1 fans and team personnel.   “ I felt  very special from the moment I entered gate 1. It was amazing and nothing comes close to having felt the tarmac of the track. It was simply amazing!” Estrada said.

 

F1 GARAGE TOUR: Ms. Rachel Mendez who attended the Singapore GP the year before,  is probably the luckiest of the bunch, along with her companions, they were given a garage tour inside the F1 paddock courtesy of the Caterham F1 team. They were handed paddock passes or better known in the F1 community as “hard tickets”, and were ushered around the exclusive paddock area by Von, the PR representative of the team, the small of group of Filipinos had the chance to watch the team as they prepared for Friday practice inside the garage itself, they were brought to an enclosure, located just a few feet behind the actual F1 cars; with mechanics rushing about, fitting parts onto the cars, firing up the engine, and basically going about their job of getting the cars ready for the weekend; with the exception of being a member of the team, this is the closest one can get to all the action. The group then headed out for refreshments at the Caterham F1 hospitality suite, followed by the requisite picture taking outside the garage (cameras are not allowed inside any of the team garages ).

In an interview Ms. Mendez mentioned that she “ felt privileged to head to the paddock and be given an insight on the race operations”. When asked was it worth going to? She was quick to reply, “ you bet! ” With the 2014 Super Early Bird ticket sales now available online at the SGP website or via their accredited sales channels, Rachel is now looking forward to attending the Singapore GP for the third straight year.