Yong An Park - Singapore - District 09-10

Landmark Details

Address: 325 - 333 River Valley Road
Type of Development: Condominium
Tenure: Freehold
District: 09
No. of Units: 288
Year of Completion: 1986
Developer: Riverview Development Pte Ltd
Unit sizes:
Studio: 95 sq m
2 bedrooms: 160 – 295 sq m
3 bedrooms: 295 – 353 sq m
4 bedrooms: 717 – 744 sq m
Townhouse: 717 – 744 sq m
Penthouse: 322 – 639 sq m

Yong An Park is situated along River Valley Road which is within littlet walking distance to the Somerset MRT station. The famous Great World City Shopping Centre and Zion Road food centre is also close by with a string of other eateries along River Valley Road. This building is within 5 minutes drive from Orchard Road, 10 minutes from Raffles Place.

Services at YONG AN PARK

* Swimming pool
* Gym
* Sauna
* Tennis
* Squash
* Playground
* BBQ
* Fitness track
* Mini-mart
* Putting green
* Clubhouse
* Covered car park
* 24 hours security

Adjacent MRT Stations

SOMERSET MRT STATION (NS23)
1 Somerset Road Singapore 238162
How Far? 0.7 km

ORCHARD MRT STATION (NS22)
437 Orchard Road Singapore 238878
How Far? 1.02 km

DHOBY GHAUT MRT STATION (NE6, NS24, C1)
11 Orchard Road Singapore 238826
How Far? 1.3 km

Adjacent Shopping Malls

GREAT WORLD CITY
1 Kim Seng Promenade Singapore 237994
How Far? 0.4 km

CATHAY CINELEISURE
8 Grange Road Singapore 239695
How Far? 0.7 km

KING’S CENTRE
390, Havelock Road Singapore 169662
How Far? 0.59 km

Nearby Schools

RIVER VALLEY PRIMARY SCHOOL
2 River Valley Green Singapore 237993
How Far? 0.2 km

APSN (TANGLIN SPECIAL SCHOOL)
22 Delta Avenue Singapore 169833
How Far? 0.7 km

OVERSEAS FAMILY SCHOOL
25F, Paterson Road Singapore 238515
How Far? 0.77 km

SINGAPORE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL (ISS)
25 Paterson Road Singapore 238510
How Far? 0.77 km

CHATSWORTH INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
37 Emerald Hill Road Singapore 229313
How Far? 1.3 km

http://www.property-elite.com/property_list/Yong-An-Park.html

Singapore Real Estate - Buy, Sell, Rent, Invest in Singapore Property

Buy, sell and rent Singapore real estate: private property, residential apartments, commercial and industrial properties. HDB flats for sale and rental. Foreign investors, buyers, tenants or relocating Expats can easily find their ideal landed house, bungalow, semi-d, terrace, condominium, townhouse, private apartment, HDB, HUDC, office, shop, factory, warehouse & land right here.

Contact Person:

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Phone: (+65) 91002985
Email Address: mindy@hotvictory.com

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Singapore Office rentals main concern for Norway firms here

Singapore Office rentals main concern for Norway firms here

By Alvin Foo
MORE OFFICES: Singapore is working to boost the supply of commercial space, says Mr Ko.

RISING office rentals is the biggest concern among Norwegian-owned businesses operating in Singapore.
While 88 per cent of these firms expect to expand in the next 12 months, many are increasingly concerned about spiralling business and manpower costs.

The findings came from a recent survey conducted by the Norwegian Business Association in Singapore over the past six weeks.

The respondents were from 60 Norwegian companies, with more than half having an annual turnover of over $50 million.

A total of 24.4 per cent of the respondents said office rentals were their main concern, while 22.6 per cent cited rising wage bills.

A further 20.2 per cent said they were worried about the recent steep rises in living costs.

The survey findings - which were presented at the Norway Asia Business Conference held in Singapore yesterday - echoed those of a poll released by the American Chamber of Commerce in June.

This showed that rising rents and housing costs are becoming more of a worry for senior executives at American firms in the Republic.

Economic Development Board (EDB) managing director Ko Kheng Hwa addressed the rents issue at the conference, saying the EDB and the Government are ‘very concerned’ about business competitiveness and are working to increase the supply of commercial and residential space.

Mr Ko, the conference’s keynote speaker, added: ‘When supply and demand are better matched in the next couple of years, the cost escalation should be moderated.’

Norway is the sixth-largest foreign investor in Singapore, with a total foreign direct investment of $7.9 billion in 2005 - the latest year for which figures are available.

It is the fourth-largest European investor in Singapore behind Britain, the Netherlands and Switzerland.

There are more than 150 Norwegian business entities in the Republic.
Source : Straits Times - 26 Oct 2007

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Mindy Yong

(+65)91002985
mindy@mindyyong.com

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Singapore PropNex plans to be listed before 2010

Singapore PropNex plans to be listed before 2010

To prepare itself, it is diversifying its income by building homes and providing more services
By Tan Hui Yee, Housing Correspondent

REAL estate group PropNex is eyeing a listing on the Singapore Exchange (SGX) before 2010.
To prepare for the initial public offering (IPO), the firm is diversifying its sources of income by developing homes and providing financial and information technology services.

The seven-year-old real estate group, which touts itself as the largest agency in Singapore in terms of number of agents, aims to lift the proportion of its revenue from non-real estate sources to at least 50 per cent before its planned listing. That is double the proportion now.

This would strengthen its position and make it less dependent on the cyclical real estate sector, PropNex chief executive Mohamed Ismail told The Straits Times yesterday.

He said getting the company listed would allow the firm to reward its senior staff with preferential shares. And it would also help put in place a better corporate structure for PropNex, he added.

The company said it has about 7,000 agents on its roll, of which more than 4,000 actively broker property sales.

PropNex recently terminated the contract of one its top division directors, Mr Eric Cheng, as he was ‘not aligned’ with the firm’s values.

This arose out of a disagreement over what Mr Mohamed said is Mr Cheng’s group of companies, ECG, getting more prominence than PropNex in its group’s publicity material.

Mr Cheng’s team of 1,400 agents was one of more than 50 teams under the PropNex banner before his departure.

Mr Mohamed said PropNex’s move was not directly linked to its IPO plans, but added: ‘If the company’s desire is to go for IPO, why do I want to confuse consumers?’

Meanwhile, PropNex has set up SingBuilders, which focuses on small-scale developments. It is building three terrace houses in the Kovan area as well as a bungalow in Sentosa. It also bought a plot of freehold land near Paya Lebar MRT Station for 28 freehold apartments.

Another PropNex venture, SingCapital, was set up in May to provide financial advice to homebuyers. That has generated a net profit of $500,000 since it started operations in May.

PropNex generates an average turnover of $10 million a month. In the first nine months of this year, its turnover hit $90 million.

Within the real estate sector, Hersing - which owns the franchise for brands such as ERA and Coldwell Banker - is also listed on the SGX.

Source : Straits Times - 26 Oct 2007

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mindy@mindyyong.com

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Unusual deal for Singapore condo owners proposed

Unusual deal for Singapore condo owners proposed

Richmond Park’s MC seeks powers to co-broke sale, rental of units; discount on monthly contributions for those who don’t opt out
By Lin Xinyi

AN UNUSUAL proposal is being pitched at apartment owners at Richmond Park:
Its management corporation (MC) is seeking the power to co-broke the sale and rental of their units in return for half the commission from the transactions, which will go into the management fund.

Owners who let the MC play co-broker will get a 20 per cent discount off what they pay to the management fund for up to 12 months.

Those who want no part of this scheme will need to opt out, and pay 20 per cent more in their monthly contribution. However, it is not clear how this will apply to an owner who is selling his unit.

These are among the by-laws which the condo’s MC chairman, Dr David Tan, will propose at its seventh annual general meeting (AGM) tomorrow.

Noting that about a third of Richmond Park’s apartment owners were living in Indonesia or Hong Kong and were either absentee landlords or absentee home owners, he said: ‘It is primarily in their interest that we have conceptualised this by-law.’

Its objective, said the 69-year-old retired eye surgeon, is to generate revenue for the maintenance fund so contributions to the fund can be kept low, since raising contribution rates always meets with resistance.

Not everyone is thrilled with the idea - the resident-owners, for instance.

A resident who has lived there for seven years said: ‘Why should I give up my sole right to sell or lease my unit? This narrows my choices of agents who are willing to help me market my apartment, since they get only half the commission.’

Located in the heart of Orchard Road, Richmond Park has 159 units, each paying between $330 and $660 in monthly maintenance fees, depending on unit size.

Industry experts say the by-law is unusual.

Knight Frank Estate Management - which manages the condo and 90 other estates - went as far as to say it was unheard of.

Lawyer S. K. Phang of Phang & Co, saying an MC had no right to be a broker, explained that such a function fell outside the roles and powers of an MC as defined by the Building Maintenance and Strata Management Act.

He added that even if all attendees at tomorrow’s AGM are fine with the proposed by-law, it does not follow that it would pass muster with the Strata Titles Board.

Chesterton International’s head of research and consultancy, Mr Colin Tan, added: ‘People don’t realise that they can challenge certain by-laws. If they are unreasonable, they may not stand in the court of law.’

Real estate company PropNex’s chief executive, Mr Mohamad Ismail, said no one had so far proposed this to his agents, and that PropNex would ‘keep the option open at this juncture’.

Dr Tan is also proposing that security guards and staff be paid to show the units to prospective buyers and tenants.

He said: ‘We know our property better than anybody else. We know the market value and the rentals charged by all units.’

Mr Ismail, however, said real estate agents had a better idea of market changes and demand.

He, too, sees resident-owners losing out in the scheme, because the agent working with the condo management may not want to co-broke with other agents, which would further divide up the commission pie.

It might thus take longer to find buyers and tenants, and resident-owners may lose a month’s rental waiting for the deal to close.

Dr Tan, saying he expected resistance as he was ‘going into uncharted waters’, added: ‘I don’t see why this by-law will not be passed. It benefits everyone all round.’
Source : Straits Times - 26 Oct 2007

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Mindy Yong

(+65)91002985
mindy@mindyyong.com

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400 new flats offered for sale in Telok Blangah - Singapore

400 new flats offered for sale in Telok Blangah - Singapore

687 applicants register for units in central area; 516 new flats also launched in Punggol

By Tan Hui Yee, Housing Correspondent

POTENTIAL buyers have rushed to put their name down for 400 new premium flats near the heart of town, launched for sale by the Housing Board yesterday.
By 5pm yesterday - nine hours after applications opened - 687 people had registered their interest for the flats, which will be built within an existing HDB estate at the foot of Mount Faber. Another batch of 516 flats were also launched for sale yesterday, further out in Punggol. They received 152 applications by 5pm.

Both projects are being offered under the build-to-order programme, so they will be built only when most flats have been booked.

Going by recent red-hot demand for new HDB flats, housing agents do not expect any problems on that front.

As the level of the response yesterday shows, the Mount Faber area project - called Telok Blangah Towers - is the more popular.

The premium project in Telok Blangah Street 31 comprises 90 elderly-friendly studio apartments, 100 three-room flats and 210 four-room units. Its prime location near the Central Business District, VivoCity mall and Sentosa is one reason behind the high level of interest.

It will be built within the established town of Bukit Merah - one of the few occasions when a build-to-order development will be located in a mature town with established facilities.

Its flats will have timber strip flooring in the bedrooms and ceramic floor and wall tiles in the bathrooms.

Build-to-order projects are usually located in new towns like Punggol and Sengkang - both far from the city centre. This has meant home buyers wanting to live closer to central Singapore have had to settle for older resale flats or pay a higher price for private condominiums.

The attractive location in Telok Blangah comes at a price: Four-room flats will cost between $308,000 and $402,000, more than 50 per cent above similar units in the Punggol project. Three-room flats will cost between $187,000 and $238,000, while studio units will go for $70,000 to $91,000.

The Punggol development, called the Punggol Lodge, will offer standard flats without flooring, with more modest prices.

Four-room ones are between $190,000 and $234,000, with three-room flats priced between $122,000 and $150,000.

Property firm ERA Singapore said four-room flats in the Telok Blangah area built from 1999 onwards cost between $370,000 and $408,000 on the resale market.

From April to June this year, resale four-room flats in Bukit Merah town - where flats in the Telok Blangah area are located - went for a median price of $371,000.

Mr Chandran Pillay, a senior division director of Global Real Estate Services, felt the new Telok Blangah flats were far from cheap.

‘I think $400,000 is a bit high, but anybody who wants to live close to the city knows they have to pay a higher premium,’ he said.

The HDB said this month that it was stepping up sales to meet rising demand for new flats. Its stock of unsold flats has dwindled from more than 10,000 three years ago to 3,500 now, and is expected to drop to 2,200 by the end of the year.

It will also offer about 4,500 new flats in the next six months under the build-to-order system.
Source : Straits Times - 26 Oct 2007

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Malaysia opens KL - Singapore route to budget flights

Malaysia opens KL - Singapore route to budget flights

By Leslie Lopez, South-east Asia Correspondent

MALAYSIA has decided to allow budget carriers to operate on the lucrative Singapore-Kuala Lumpur air route - currently dominated by SIA and MAS as a duopoly - a move Singapore has welcomed.
‘We have made a decision. The Cabinet has approved (the plan),’ Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi told reporters in KL yesterday, without elaborating on the details.

Asked for his reaction, Singapore Transport Minister, Raymond Lim, said: ‘I’m pleased with the latest developments. Singapore has always been fully committed to further liberalising the air space between Singapore and Malaysia. So I look forward to our official meeting soon to discuss this matter.’

The Malaysian decision ends the decades-long air services pact between the two countries that essentially gave MAS (Malaysian Airline System) and SIA (Singapore Airlines) a virtual monopoly over the sector.

Malaysia wants to open up the route to AirAsia as part of a strategy to develop a regional hub for budget carriers at KL. But Singapore’s low-cost carrier, Tiger Airways, may also benefit.

Malaysian Transport Minister Chan Kong Choy said yesterday that he would meet his Singapore counterpart at the Asean Transport Ministers meeting on Oct 30 to Nov 2 to convey his government’s decision. It will be followed by later meetings.

He said the date when Air Asia can start flying the route will be known after the negotiations had been finalised.

‘This is not an open sky agreement with Singapore. It is only allowing two flights daily from both countries (for low-cost carriers),’ Bernama quoted him as saying.

In a statement yesterday, Singapore’s Ministry of Transport said officials from both sides will meet soon to discuss the ‘expansion’ of the air services agreement.

It also noted that Singapore had always been committed to opening up not only the route between Singapore and KL but to other cities in Malaysia as well.

Malaysia’s move will almost certainly lead to cheaper ticket prices. The KL-Singapore sector ranks as one of the world’s most expensive with a return ticket costing roughly $440. As a result, the 30-minute hop is a huge source of revenue for both SIA and MAS.

AirAsia chief executive Tony Fernandes told reporters in KL yesterday that fares would be ‘probably less than a third’ once his airline starts operating the route perhaps by December.

SIA chief executive Chew Choon Seng, speaking in Sydney after the maiden commercial flight of the Airbus A380, said he was not afraid of competition.

But he insisted that Malaysia give reciprocal rights to Tiger Airways, the budget carrier majority-owned by SIA.

MAS managing director, Idris Jala, however, said his airline was disappointed by the decision to open the route ‘prematurely’ to low cost airlines.

Source : Straits Times - 26 Oct 2007

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Big push to train 74,000 Singaporeans for tourism jobs

Big push to train 74,000 Singaporeans for tourism jobs

$360m to be spent over three years; older workers, housewives and retirees one target group

By Goh Chin Lian

THEY’RE hot, so hot that the Government is pumping in a record sum of more than $360 million to train 74,000 Singaporeans for tourism jobs.
This budget, which will fork out, on average, $5,000 for each worker, is to be spent over three years until 2010, when the two Integrated Resorts are slated to open.

In that time, you’re going to hear all about these jobs, on TV and at roadshows across the island.

About 50,000 to 60,000 jobs are expected to be created, ranging from chefs to animal trainers to salesgirls.

This Tourism Talent Plan was announced by Manpower Minister Ng Eng Hen yesterday, when he also launched a Singapore Tourism Board campaign to publicise the jobs in the burgeoning industry.

Later, he toured the first roadshow, with demonstrations by birdshow presenters and chefs, among others, as well as career talks. The two-day event, launched yesterday, was held at the Atrium@Orchard, in Dhoby Ghaut.

Headed for a record year for jobs created

SINGAPORE looks set to hit another record year as far as jobs created and a drop in unemployment is concerned, Manpower Minister Ng Eng Hen said yesterday.

These moves by the Government are to prevent the manpower crunch now facing hotels and other tourism players from getting worse.

In the talent plan, Dr Ng cited three ways to ensure a ready supply of workers.

One, let more students into tourism and hospitality courses, and offer more of such courses.

Two, train adult workers. Said Dr Ng: ‘Whether it is someone looking for a mid-career switch, a second career, or even after retirement, or someone in the sector hoping to upgrade his skills, there will be a suitable training programme.’

Three, make tourism careers attractive by improving human resource practices and the image of these jobs.

Spending the millions of dollars on training is necessary, he said, as Singapore is on track to reach a record 10.2 million visitors this year.

But Singapore is also facing stiff competition from the region, he added.

Mega-developments like the IRs, and high-signature events such as the Formula One race are not sufficient to ensure tourists keep returning, he said.

‘Don’t forget our neighbours have got cheaper land, less expensive building costs and lower cost of labour as well, so they can compete.’

The way forward, he said, is to train people who can take the industry up a notch, and set Singapore apart from its competitors.

Crucial in this game is to inculcate in workers a mindset to give good service, a quality IRs place at the top of the must-have list when recruiting, he said.

So, from next year, a new programme will start to train workers in such skills as interacting with guests and providing personalised service.

One of its targets is the non-working adult group which includes about 320,000 homemakers and around 270,000 retirees.

But employers told The Straits Times these people may find the work and long hours too hard to endure.

Dr Ng, when asked, said some of the funds will go towards helping companies redesign jobs for older workers.

Labour MP Halimah Yacob said employers also need to give retirees and housewives more flexibility at work.

‘Some women may not want to work full time or too far from their homes,’ she told The Straits Times.

Freelance tour guide Diana Lo, 37, stayed home to look after her daughter for five years until this year.

She likes her job because ‘most of my assignments are in the morning, and school for my daughter, who is in Primary 5, ends in the afternoon’.

‘It’s good timing,’ she said.

Source : Straits Times - 26 Oct 2007

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Mindy Yong

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Singapore HDB launches BTO projects in Bukit Merah, Punggol

Singapore HDB launches BTO projects in Bukit Merah, Punggol

The Housing and Development Board (HDB) yesterday launched two new housing projects - Telok Blangah Towers in Bukit Merah town and Punggol Lodge in Punggol town - under the Build-To-Order (BTO) system.

All in, 916 new premium and standard flats are on offer comprising studio apartments (SAs), three-room and four-room flats. The application period for this sales exercise is from Oct 25 to Nov 14.

HDB said in a press statement yesterday that Telok Blangah Towers is an integrated development with a total of 400 flats, comprising 90 SAs, 100 units of three-room and 210 units of four-room premium flats.

The SAs are sold with elder-friendly features such as grab bars and non-slip flooring. Fittings include built-in wardrobes, kitchen cabinets and cooking facilities.

The project is located at the junction of Telok Blangah Street 31 and Telok Blangah Drive, and is next to a range of shops and eateries, a supermarket, wet market and hawker centre. It is also near the Bukit Merah Town Centre, and the upcoming MRT stations at Labrador Park and Telok Blangah.

Punggol Lodge, located in Punggol East along Punggol Road, has 516 flats comprising 52 units three-room and 464 units four-room flats.

The project is across the road from upcoming commercial facilities such as an eating-house, supermarket and shops, and is within walking distance from the Damai LRT station. It is also near the Punggol MRT Station, bus interchange and future Punggol Town Centre.

An exhibition will be held at the Habitat Forum, HDB Hub, during the application period. Those interested can obtain the sales brochure, and view the 3D models and sample finishes on display.

Source : Business Times - 26 Oct 2007

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Mindy Yong

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Singapore SLA puts up six residential sites for auction

Singapore SLA puts up six residential sites for auction

By ARTHUR SIM
THE Singapore Land Authority (SLA) will release six residential sites for sale by auction.

Two are in the Eng Neo Avenue good class bungalow (GCB) area in District 11 - the first GCB sites released by SLA for development. The other four are in Moonbeam Walk, Jalan Insaf, Bedok Close and Somme Road.

The plots are essentially in-fill sites - pockets of state land within established areas.

The assistant chief executive of SLA’s land operations group, Simon Ong, said the sale of the sites ‘will help meet current demand for high-quality residential property and allow individuals to build their dream homes’.

The auction will be conducted by Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) on Nov 29, and the firm’s director and head of auctions and sales Mok Sze Sze reckons demand will be strong.

A total of 79 GCBs worth $959.4 million changed hands in the first half of the year, compared with 61 GCBs worth $627.9 million transacted in the same period a year earlier. ‘This translates to a 29.5 per cent increase in the number of units transacted and a 52.8 per cent increase in absolute value,’ Mr Mok said.

The GCB sites in Eng Neo Avenue are 29,201 sq ft and 16,689 sq ft. The other four sites are between 3,547 sq ft and 6,971 sq ft.

Douglas Wong, director of PropNex’s luxury home division, Grandeur Homes, thinks the GCB sites could fetch between $800 and $900 psf. This means bids for the smaller site could be around $13 million while the larger site could fetch around $23 million.

Mr Wong says that along with the rest of the market, prices of GCBs have been affected by the US sub-prime crisis. Nevertheless, new benchmarks for GCBs are still being set, with a house in the Nassim area going for over $1,500 psf.

A check of caveats on the SISV-Realink website also shows that a unit at The Residences at Barker has also been sold in the secondary market for almost $1,600 psf.

Still, as Mr Wong notes, prices are still way below those of luxury condos, which now go for $3,500-$4,000 psf. As he says, in a strange way other property is ’still affordable’.
Source : Business Times - 26 Oct 2007

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Mindy Yong

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Singapore Hotel site draws top bid of $100.7m

Singapore Hotel site draws top bid of $100.7m

$762 psf ppr bid by party linked to Asok Kumar beats 6 others
By KALPANA RASHIWALA

A PARTY linked to Asok Kumar Hiranandani of Royal Brothers Group yesterday placed a top bid of $100.7 million or $762 per square foot per plot ratio (psf ppr) for a hotel site at New Market Steet/Merchant Roads near the Singapore River - almost 34 per cent above the next highest offer of $75.3 million by Hotel Properties unit Landeal Properties.

‘We’re looking at developing a 300-room businessmen’s hotel as well as some commercial space on the site’
- Mr Asok
The 99-year leasehold plot attracted seven bids, with the lowest offer of $52.9 million made by LaSalle Investment Management-linked Fairvalue 128.

Mr Asok told BT: ‘We’re looking at developing a 300-room businessmen’s hotel as well as some commercial space, most likely offices, on the site. Our total investment will be at least $160 million. Hopefully, the development will be up in 21/2 years.’

He cast his top bid in yesterday’s state tender through Park Regis Investments, which is controlled by A&B Hotels, whose shareholders are Mr Asok and British citizen Balbinder Singh Sohal.

The A&B Group, named after the first letters of the two men’s names, owns 50 per cent of Kusido Hospitality & Property Group, which owns and operates the Leisure Inn and the Park Regis hotel brands in Australia.

Kusido owns and/or manages 17 hotels in Australia under the two brands and is in talks to acquire 100 per cent stakes in a further 23 hotels there.

In China, Kusido is in the final stages of talks to acquire stakes in 37 hotels from three hotel groups.

The proposed hotel at New Market Street in Singapore will be flagged a Park Regis, a four-star brand. Assuming A&B develops 300 hotel rooms, the total $160 million investment works out to $530,000 per hotel room. ‘That’s still cheaper than the $800,000 to $1 million per room being demanded by hotel sellers in the Singapore market,’ said Mr Asok, who says he is looking for another hotel site in Singapore that he can develop into a Leisure Inn, a three-star brand.

The other bidders in yesterday’s tender by the Urban Redevelopment Authority were Superbowl Holdings unit Superbowl Land ($71.8 million); Garden City Hotel Holdings, controlled by a Tew family ($68 million); Hotel 81-linked Lotus View ($64.1 million) and Hotel Grand Central (about $55.5 million).

Cushman & Wakefield (Singapore) managing director Donald Han says hotel site tenders have been attracting more bidders, as well as a bigger spread of players including international funds.

‘That suggests further upside in Singapore hotel capital values,’ he said.
Source : Business Times - 26 Oct 2007

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Mindy Yong

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mindy@mindyyong.com

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S’pore to light up F1 circuit with night race

S’pore to light up F1 circuit with night race

In-principle approval a milestone in history of sport

By NISHA RAMCHANDANI
(SINGAPORE) Singapore made history in the air yesterday, and got the green light to make it on the roads as well. Even as the first-ever commercial flight of the Airbus 380 took off at 8am yesterday, the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) finally gave the go-ahead for a night race to be held here.
Winning formula: A late evening start time for the Singapore GP means that it will get maximum exposure on European television markets
Never before has Formula One seen a race hosted after dark, under floodlights. It will provide a unique perspective for F1 fans around the world. The fact that it starts late in the evening here also means that it will get maximum exposure on European television markets. The inaugural Singapore Grand Prix is slated for Sept 28, 2008.

‘Given that one of our objectives is to showcase Singapore to Formula One fans around the world, our late start-time will help us achieve this. The stunning city skyline backdrop will be an added bonus,’ said Colin Syn, deputy chairman of Singapore GP.

However, as the approval is only in-principle, additional tests to the lighting system and track circuit will still have to be conducted in the run-up to the race.

Minister of State for Trade & Industry S Iswaran said the approval was both a ‘milestone’ and very welcome affirmation from the FIA.

‘They have been satisfied with all the efforts in the preparations for this night race. They need to now make sure they test it out completely in the local context, make sure that it is fully functional and workable in the Singapore environment. Once that is completed, then we should have the clear signal to go ahead.’ The minister reckoned that everything should be wrapped up by sometime next year.

Nonetheless, Mr Syn appeared confident. ‘We are well on our way - with two positive lighting tests under our belt, we are on track to delivering the first night race in Formula One history,’ he said. The confirmation of a night race came as more than welcome news to avid F1 fan Anisha Merchant. Ms Merchant has previously travelled to both Shanghai and Monaco to catch the Grand Prix in action. ‘Watching the F1 is already such a thrill but racing at night will add a whole different dimension. It’ll be interesting to see how the drivers and teams handle it,’ she enthused.

The confirmation of the night race also means a clearer picture of hotel room rates during the race period in time to come, which has been subject of much speculation since the announcement by the government that trackside hotels would be slapped with a 30 per cent levy. Various hotels have cited uncertainty about the race time as one of the key factors holding them back from announcing official prices.
Source : Business Times - 26 Oct 2007

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Mindy Yong

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