Lights Go Out! Singapore GP Season Gets Underway

The 10-day Singapore GP Season kicks-off today, packed with a spread of quality events to drive up the adrenaline during the world’s only Formula One night race.

“More than just a race, the Singapore Formula One experience is an entire lifestyle experience encompassing parties and concerts, shopping, dining and other treats catering to a range of personal preferences. Last year, visitors to the race stayed up to two days more than the average visitor. They also spent twice as much on shopping and three times as much on food and beverage,” said Ms Lynette Pang, Director of Entertainment Sports & Arts at the STB. “This year, Formula One ticket holders will enjoy additional privileges. The STB has worked with various retail and dining establishments to introduce attractive perks during the Season, with local attractions joining in for the first time.”

Some of these perks include retail and F&B promotions at participating establishments, free entry to six National Heritage Board museums like 8Q sam, Asian Civilisations Museum, National Museum of Singapore, Peranakan Museum, Singapore Art Museum and Singapore Philatelic Museum, special promotional prices for attractions like the Singapore Zoo, Night Safari, Jurong Bird Park, Sentosa, Singapore Flyer, entry discounts to the Chinatown Heritage Centre, and free rides on the One City Three Festivals open-top sightseeing bus offering a bird’s eye view of the Chinatown, Little India and Kampong Glam street light- ups.

Festivities can be seen all over the city with Orchard Road, Marina Bay and the three ethnic precincts - Chinatown, Geylang Serai and Little India - all decked out to the nines, celebrating with themed décor or cultural light-ups.

For the first time this year, even the Singapore River is dressed for the occasion. Located just next to the Marina Bay circuit track, the river will be decked out to commemorate the race with Singapore GP Season banners, chequered flags, and large format prints along the underpasses, highlighting the many exciting nightlife activities and promotions and to draw in the crowds to revel in the buzz and excitement at the river during the Singapore GP Season.

At the heart of the race action, Marina Bay shopping malls have stepped up their in-mall promotions and race-related activities. Marina Square and Millenia Walk will be holding race car simulator challenges where the winning shopper will walk away with attractive prizes and limited edition goodies. Race fans can enjoy a spot of late night shopping as Marina Square extends its shopping hours till midnight on race nights.

For the first time, shoppers can be guided by the handy ‘The Marina Bay Connector’, produced by Marina Bay establishments. The guide will provide information on the above- and under-ground pedestrian access options to the Marina Bay area during the race period, shuttle services and in-mall deals and promotions. Some 300,000 guides will be available from 18 September at the Singapore Visitor Centres, shopping malls and hotels at Marina Bay.

Stereolab, located at the Pan Pacific Singapore, Marina Square, is set to host the worldwide debut of The Official Formula 1 Lounge this year, the after-party destination for track stars, drivers and international celebrities.

The first Official Lounge in the history of the Grand Prix, this inaugural party is hosted by Tamara Ecclestone, Sky Sports Italia presenter and daughter of Bernie Ecclestone. Entertainment will be provided by superstar DJ Jean Claude Ades, alongside Stereolab resident DJs Todd Omotani (Canada), Stephen Day (UK) and Brendon P.

Just around the corner, the Singapore River looks set to become a favourite watering hole for pre and post-race parties and gatherings. KinestAsia at Timbre@Arts  House will feature Asian beers and performances by renowned Asian musicians including “King of Blues Guitar” Gugun from Indonesia, Transitions from the Philippines, Trevor Jalla from Malaysia and Singapore’s “King of Swing” Jeremy Monteiro. The latter will be collaborating with Hong from Thailand for the first time.

At Boat Quay, American jazz trumpeter Greg Glassman plays at Jazz@Southbridge with local jazz musicians Andrew, Boon and Weixiang. Clarke Quay’s Johnny Walker’s Black Lounge Experience will see former Formula One racing champion Mika Häkkinen unveiling the Johnnie Walker Designated Super Car display. Whisky connoisseurs can savour their drink while enjoying live music performances.

Along Orchard Road, the Orchard Road Business Association and its members are enticing shoppers with great shopping, food, art and entertainment. Shoppers who spend at least Sin$80 will receive a limited edition Singapore GP Season umbrella. Formula One ticket holders need only spend just Sin$60. Participating Orchard Road malls include The CentrePoint, ION Orchard, Orchard Central, Paragon, TANGS Orchard, Takashimaya Shopping Centre and Wisma Atria.

Alongside outdoor art and photography exhibitions taking place, such as Britto in Singapore and The First Night Race Outdoor Photo Exhibition by Paul-Henri Cahier, shoppers will also enjoy scheduled street entertainment provided by local bands and music talents at the Urban Green Room in front of Wisma Atria, as well as roving cultural performances, adding even more buzz to the street and revving up the excitement to the race weekend.

These new Singapore GP Season events join many other quality lifestyle and entertainment events already lined-up for the Formula One race period, such as Asia On The Edge, Living in Style International 2009, An Evening with Il Divo, F1 ROCKS Singapore, Amber Lounge and Indochine Festival.

With such a great line-up of lifestyle offerings, the Singapore GP Season is set to pump up everyone’s Formula One race experience with Singapore’s unique formula for fun, making September a month to remember.

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