Why the Singapore Grand Prix succeeded where Korea and India failed

If there is anyone who knows how to put up a spectacular show both on and off the track, it’s the organisers of the Singapore Grand Prix. The only night race on the calendar shines like a jewel in the night sky. The Singapore GP, a relatively recent addition to the Formula One calendar, has generated a lot of interest and anticipation over the six years of its existence.

Here are the reasons that make the race stand out from its contemporary Asian competitors like the Korean GP and the Indian GP.

Government backing and involvement

The Singapore GP Pte Ltd, the Singapore Tourism Board and Bernie Ecclestone reached an agreement to start a race at the Marina Bay circuit. With telecom giant SingTel being selected as the main sponsor, the race was officially called as the SingTel Singapore Grand Prix. The race was co-funded by the Government of Singapore, paying 60% of the total bill (S$90 million), out of a total tab of S$150 million and is rumoured to have made S$140 million-S$150 million in incremental tourism receipts each year.

Singapore – A scintillating host

Singapore, a world class metropolis, sets the tone for a scintillating event on the track with a race that is arguably the toughest and longest one for the drivers, with city skyscrapers and historical sites such as the Anderson Bridge, City Hall, the Supreme Court and the Esplanade Bridge as the background. Being the only night race also helps garner all the excitement among the fans and drivers alike. The Marina Bay circuit has been witness to some superb driving, exciting races and its share of controversies. Yet, every time there’s a lot more excitement to look forward to in Singapore.

Singapore as a financial hub also presents an opportunity for the sponsors to showcase their products and services and, at the same time, discuss business in an informal environment. Singapore remains one of the hottest destinations among tourists visiting Asia. A good 40% of the 85,000 tickets sold last year were sold to foreigners. Add to that, the television viewership across the globe that stood at over 400 million viewers from 2008 till 2012.

The final attractions are the various entertainment options available to the fans at different areas around the track. Over the past six years, renowned musicians from across the globe have been invited to perform at concerts which added a musical touch to the whole event, with the night life in Singapore being the icing on the cake

Behind the scene efforts

The organisers have made efforts to have children from local schools visit the Marina Bay Circuit to make them aware of the sport with a tour of the circuit. The race sees a strong involvement of Singaporeans from all walks of life, with track and other volunteers numbering over 1100.

The Minister for Home Affairs & Trade and Industry, S Iswaran, was quoted as saying, “We have always emphasised the race was not just about motorsports, but about community outreach as well and that Singaporeans take a lot of pride in organising the whole event.”

The Singapore Grand Prix has more than 10 km of debris fencing

The mammoth infrastructural requirements required to turn the streets of Singapore into a temporary street circuit cannot go unnoticed. More than 1500 artificial lights are used to illuminate the circuit to give drivers the feel of driving during the day, around 2600 concrete barriers, more than 1600 TecPro barriers for driver safety and protection, and over 10 km of debris fencing is utilised for the construction of the spectacular circuit.

The Indian GP and the Korean GP have more problems to worry about rather than showcasing both Greater Noida and Yeongam as a tourist destination. The Indian GP has already been given a thumbs-down for the 2014 season stating tax and stubborn government issues, and the rupee depreciation making it even more costly to host. The organisers of the Korean GP are said to be suffering losses even after some changes in their contract which sees Korea on the calendar till 2021.

However, while Singapore is undoubtedly among the best of the tracks on the calendar, it will be interesting to see how long Singapore will continue to organise the event considering competition from different tracks across the world. But Ecclestone wouldn’t want the crown jewel to disappear so easily. Well, at least while it helps him make money.