Singapore Grand Prix fires up on Sept. 16-18

EXPECT exciting action at Singapore’s Marina Bay Street Circuit.

Formula One fans who are exhibiting withdrawal symptoms due to the sport’s mid-season break can look forward to more racing action when the Singapore Grand Prix flies into the region.

The Singapore Grand Prix will run on Sept. 16 to 18 on the Marina Bay Street Circuit. The street course runs about 5 km through the bay area adjacent to Singapore’s central business district.

As such, the course runs beside and on some of the city-state’s landmarks such as the Esplanade building, the Fullerton Hotel, and the Anderson Bridge.

The racing is tight and fierce in Singapore. It is often compared to the Monaco Grand Prix due to the street layout and the course’s unforgiving nature.

Formula One drivers run right beside walls on most of the circuit, while the runoff areas in others are relatively small.

Add to that the Singapore GP’s innovation: the nighttime setting. Singapore was the first night race in Formula One. F1’s current championship leader Lewis Hamilton calls it “a highlight of the season: a great city which looks really spectacular under the lights.”

The Singapore Grand Prix has been one of the most popular races for Filipino fans.

William Herrera of Red Rock Travel, a GP authorized reseller, says that the proximity of the race is a big factor.

“It is the very first night race in the history of F1. With no more hot sun bearing down on you at the grandstands, it is comfortable. Seeing cars running under the lights is a totally different viewing experience,” he says.

More petrol-fueled action at the circuit will include the Ferrari Challenge Asia Pacific, Porsche Carrera Cup Asia, and the TCR International Series.

The Ferrari Challenge will run 570 hp 458 Challenge Evos. The Porsche Carrera Cup Asia, now on its 14th season, will pit some of the best sports car drivers in identical 460-hp 911 GT3 Cup race cars. The TCR International Series will field production touring cars such as the Ford Focus, Volkswagen Golf GTI, Honda Civic, and Subaru STI.

Another innovation that has made the Singapore Grand Prix a popular attraction is the entertainment package. After the racing machines have blitzed the track come some spectacular entertainment.

For 2016, Singapore Grand Prix will feature full-length concerts from Imagine Dragons and Halsey. The alternative rock band Imagine Dragons—frontman Dan Reynolds, guitarist Wayne Sermon, bassist Ben McKee and drummer Daniel Platzman—won the Best Rock Performance Grammy in 2014 for “Radioactive.”

They have also won five Billboard Music Awards, two Teen Choice Awards, and a World Music Award. Their double-platinum album Night Visions has sold over 3.9 million albums and 24 million tracks.

The latest “Smoke+Mirrors” album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. They will take to the Padang Stage after the Grand Prix.

Electropop singer-songwriter Halsey (aka Ashley Frangipane) will perform before the race also at the Padang Stage.

She is known for her single, “Ghost,” which has garnered more than 23 million views on YouTube. Her debut studio album Badlands entered the Billboard 200 at No. 2, and was certified gold. Her global tour has sold out across five continents.

For those with tastes of a more historic vintage, other acts to pique interest include Kylie Minogue, Queen+Adam Lambert, and KC and the Sunshine Band. Bastille and Pentatonix will also be performing.

“Singapore GP also ensured that fans and non-race fans would be entertained all weekend long by loading up the event with concerts, roving performance artists, and lots of food and beverage outlets,” said Herrera.

Up and coming acts will get a chance to shine, thanks to the Singapore Grand Prix’s collaboration with Music Matters Live, an independent music festival.