Singapore on track for F1 night race

SINGAPORE (AP) -- Singapore's preparations to hold Formula One's first night grand prix are on track with three months to go, the city-state's officials have confirmed.

Race promoter Singapore GP said they would be releasing tickets for an additional 1,600 grandstand seats to meet strong demand for the September 28 race.

The additional tickets bring the race's total daily capacity to 100,600.

"We are pleased to say that we are on schedule in all areas of race preparation," Lim Neo Chian, chief executive of the Singapore Tourism Board, told reporters during a briefing.

Lim said that all road surfacing and resurfacing works had been completed for the 5km (3.14-mile) street circuit that winds along streets lined with high-rise buildings and newly restored British colonial-era mansions.

Progress was also being made on the installation of a lighting system that will allow the race to take place at 8pm local time (12:00pm GMT), making it the sport's first race to be held at night.

A night race on the F1 circuit -- especially in Asia -- allows for broadcast times to become more accessible to European and North American television viewers.

But the idea has previously been met with mixed responses from teams and drivers, with safety concerns the main issue as F1 cars do not have headlights and reach speeds of more than 300 kph (186 mph).

Lim said construction of the pit complex -- which houses garages, the race control center and the winners' podium -- was nearly finished.

"There's much to look forward to as we race toward this historic event in September. With just three months to go, we'll be revving up race preparations on all sides," Lim said.

Officials from the Land Transport Authority said the final pieces of race infrastructure would be assembled from September 20, a week before the race.

These include more than 500 pieces each of concrete barriers and debris fencing, spectator and perimeter fencing along the circuit, 16 grandstands and temporary pedestrian overhead bridges.

The city-state has the rights to hold the race for five years -- with the option for the Formula One Administration to extend for a further five years -- and expects annual tourism receipts from the event of about 100 million Singapore dollars ($66 million).

To encourage visitors to stay beyond the race, the tourism board has organized a "Singapore GP Season" of events including outdoor riverside concerts and parties, music festivals and late-night shopping.

The race is part of Singapore's efforts to boost tourism revenues, along with the construction of two casino resorts expected to contribute S$2.7 billion ($1.8 billion) to the economy.

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