Completion of Pit Building for 2008 Formula ™ Singtel Singapore Grand Prix
11 July 2008
Pit Building
1 Republic Boulevard, Singapore

Completion of Pit Building for 2008 Formula ™ Singtel Singapore Grand Prix

The Pit Building Ceremony was graced by Guest-of-Honour, Mr S. Iswaran, Senior Minister of State for Trade & Industry, and key officials from race promoter Singapore GP Pte Ltd, the Singapore Tourism Board.

This three-storey building will house important race facilities, such as the garages for the Formula One™ race teams, race control facilities, media centre, the winners’ podium and the Paddock Club. The building’s glass facade will provide for a panoramic view of the exciting race action along the Pit Straight and Pit Lane.

With the Pit Building housing various groups of people from mechanics to motor-sports media and some of the most distinguished guests of the race, Mr Lim Neo Chian, Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive, Singapore Tourism Board commented, “The Pit Building is set to provide some of the most exclusive experiences available to race-goers. The race experience will be made complete with the many lifestyle offerings that we have lined up with the Singapore GP Season including fine dining, great shopping and various entertainment options. We hope to give visiting Formula One™ fans more reasons to return to Uniquely Singapore for fulfilling race experiences year after year.”

Enhanced Pit Building Design

In March 2008, enhancements were made to the Pit Building design as part of the on-going consultation process with the Formula One Management (FOM) and Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). This includes increasing the gross floor area from 18,000 square metres to 23,000 square metres. Construction costs for the Pit Building stand at S$40 million. With the high demand for corporate hospitality tickets, this will allow for a more spacious Paddock Club, providing a more exclusive Formula One™ race experience for an estimated 4,000 guests.

“Even before the launch of the Paddock Club packages, we have had huge interest from the who’s who of the Formula One™ community. From the various teams and their sponsors to multi-national corporations eager to impress their top clients, the demand for places exceeded all expectations. It is great to have a purpose-built facility to deliver a world-class corporate hospitality that will enable guests to experience the excitement of the 2008 FORMULA 1™ SingTel Singapore Grand Prix up-close and in-style,” said Mr Colin Syn, Deputy Chairman of Singapore GP Pte. Ltd.

Designer Architects 61 Pte Ltd and developer Singapore GP Pte Ltd have been in consultation with the STB to work with the main contractor, local firm JURONG Primewide Pte Ltd, to ensure that the construction meets the stringent requirements of FOM and the FIA.

Following its completion, the Pit Building is now ready for handover to Singapore GP Pte Ltd, who will begin outfitting the interior in preparation for the 2008 FORMULA 1™ SingTel Singapore Grand Prix.

Preparations for the Race On Track

The completion of the Pit Building is the latest milestone in the preparations for the race. In the last 14 months, race organisers have worked tirelessly to prepare for the race. Two key milestones were crossed in September and October 2007, when Singapore was granted approval to stage the world’s first night race in Formula One™ history, and in-principle approval for Asia’s first Formula One™ street circuit respectively. Race preparation works have also ramped up in 2008, with the necessary road works completed in June and the ongoing installation of the lighting system progressing steadily on track.

Factsheet:

1. Race Control (Level 1)
- Nerve centre for race operations;
- Houses key personnel: FIA Race Director, Clerk of the Course, FIA stewards and representatives from Police and emergency services;
- Wall of monitors providing live feed from 24 CCTV cameras around the circuit;

2. Team Garages (Level 1)
- 36 garages;
- Highly restricted areas housing the teams’ electronic equipment, race cars and spare parts;

3. Pit Lane and Pit Wall
- 2 finishes for Lanes: Fast lane (Asphalt surface) and Slow lane (Concrete surface);
- Fast lane for cars coming in via the pit entry before entering the slow lane near respective garages;
- Speed limit for Fast Lane: 80 to 100km/hr;
- Slow lane for pit stops e.g. refuelling and changing of tyres;
- Pit Wall, opposite the garages, houses the team consoles, where the engineers monitor and communicate with the drivers;

4. Press Conference Room (Level 2)uly 10, 2008
- For interview with the top 3 drivers after the prize presentation ceremony;

5. Podium (Level 2)
- Prizes are given out to the top 3 drivers and the winning constructor (team);
- Customary popping of champagne after trophies are presented;

6. Media Centre (Level 2)
- For accredited motorsports journalists;
- Capacity for about 500 journalists;
- Acoustically treated for a quiet working environment;
- Equipped with internet broadband access and LCD TV screens showing live broadcast;

7. Very Important Person Hospitality Suite (Level 3)
- Hosting of VIPs during the event;
- Offers a good view of the pit entry, pit straight and pit lane;
- Capacity for about 200 guests;

8. Paddock Clubs (Levels 2 and 3)
- High-end hospitality suite;
- Ticket price of about S$7,500 for a 3-day pass;
- 7 Paddock Club suites for about 4,000 guests;
- Many of the suites have been reserved by the race teams for their guests;

9. Paddock
- Large open area behind the Pit Building housing;
- Team hospitality suites;
- Tyre, fuel and gas storage;
- FOM Broadcast Centre;
- Storage facilities;
- Highly restricted area requiring accredited access by FOM.

Speech addressed by Mr. S Iswaran, Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry.
Text and Audio Clip Edited by Ai San Yip. Information Courtesy of Singapore Tourism Board. All Rights Reserved.