Aerial View of F1 Marina Bay Singapore Circuit

Grandstand seats and walkabout tickets may bring you right next to the rubber-burning action, but nothing beats watching the night race, champagne popping in air-conditioned comfort, while not missing a single beat of the race. In this photo story, we highlight the best views from various trackside hotels along the Marina Bay Street Circuit.


Evrybody may be trying to get their hands on an F1 grandstand or walkabout tickets where  real time action is. However, not everyone cares for all that sweat inducing activity especially with Singapore temperature.

Well, for all F1 fanatics who fall into the second category, Cnet Asia delivers aphoto story of the various hotels around the Marina Bay circuit that would give a very good view of the race.

Take for example the above picture, taken from Level 25, room 2510 of Pan Pacific Hotel Singapore. This one has the aerial view of turn 6 flat-out track just before cars switch from sixth to seventh gear. The fastest recorded speed last year was set by Heikki Kovalainen's McLaren Mercedes at 298kmh. According to the hotel, approximately 300 rooms have views of the track.

For more of the photo story, pls. click here

Singapore GP expects a surge in ticket sales

Ticket sales has crossed 80% and F1 Singapore promoter Singapore GP are scrambling to add more seats.

The last two weeks have seen a sudden surge of demand for tickets that an extra 1,000 tickets will be added to the the previous inventory of 82,000 bringing the total number of tickets to 83,000.

The additional ticket were added to the Pit and Turn 3 grandstands.

'Increased sales momentum as the race dates approach is something we expected might happen, as other Formula One circuits traditionally experience the same buying pattern,' said executive director Michael Roche.

The recent spike in demand could be due to the fact that more F1 races are being televised now that the summer holidays in Europe are over. And thanks to the fact that the drivers' title race is open, interest has been revived.

By yesterday, 81 per cent of the Pit Grandstand, 83 per cent of the Bay Grandstand and 86 per cent of the Esplanade Waterfront Grandstands respectively had been sold. Sunday and Saturday single-day walkabout tickets are sold out. And three-day walkabout tickets are expected to be completely taken up by the middle of next week.

As for corporate hospitality, 83 per cent of capacity has been taken up. But the number of corporate suites at the seven locations around the Bay circuit has shrunk. There are 160 suites this year, down from 180 last year, although Singapore GP has introduced a new type of suite amid the more challenging economic conditions.

Besides the Club and Sky suites and the Formula One Paddock Club, there is also The Green Room. This new air-conditioned seating area has food and beverage service but caters to the individual customer and smaller corporate groups.

Tickets for the other types of corporate suite are typically sold in multiples of 10s and 50s. The Green Room's prices are also lower at $3,388 per person.

Experience the Singapore Formula 1 Grand Prix from onboard Orion

Join Orion Expedition Cruises and Events Worldwide to see the Singapore Formula 1 Singtel Grand Prix.
3 or 4 night packages available include all meals onboard PLUS 3 day Grand Prix walk about tickets with the option to upgrade to reserved seating!

Stay in Singapore harbour onboard the luxuriously appointed Orion, enjoy the adrenalin packed experience of the world’s only night-time Grand Prix and see Australia’s Mark Webber in action in his Red Bull F1 car as he chases another podium position and championship points.

Reserve your accommodation on Orion including Singapore F1 ticket packages: 25 – 27 September 2009.

Reduced pricing: Twin share from just A$1639 per person on sale now. Optional airfares additional.

Staterooms and suites available for individuals, corporate hospitality or other group bookings.

Call Events Worldwide on 1300 788 666 or email sports@events.com.au ?for complete details and options.

source: http://www.etravelblackboardasia.com/

" Oh wow, lifestyle of the rich and the famous and not so famous..."

F1 organisers, hotels hit the home stretch

(SINGAPORE) Michael Schumacher may not be returning to Formula One racing, but the buzz is slowly stealing back to the Singapore Grand Prix as the September event approaches.

After a more subdued start this year against the backdrop of an unprecedented economic recession and the recent U-turn by Schumi, ticket sales and hotel bookings have just a little over a month to play catch-up for the Sept 25-27 event.

At present, close to 70 per cent of grandstand and walkabout tickets have been sold, while over 82 per cent of corporate hospitality suites and the Paddock Club have been taken up, said race promoter Singapore GP (SGP). The numbers have been climbing although at this point last year, over 95 per cent of tickets had been sold.

SGP also scaled back the number of its built-to-order hospitality suites at the circuit to 160 this year from 180 previously, given the poorer economy.

Meanwhile, hotel bookings for race weekend are also lagging behind last year's despite the steeper discounts offered by hoteliers. The trackside Grand Park City Hall (GPCH) has yet to see bookings hit the halfway mark for the F1 weekend.

'Currently, we are not seeing very strong demand,' Park Hotel Group director Allen Law said.


And this is despite the fact that room rates at GPCH have been kept largely the same, although the 30 per cent F1 tax for trackside hotels which is being levied by the government will be passed on to patrons. Room rates start at $480.

'We want to maintain our normal traffic, so we are only asking our normal rate plus the surcharge,' explained Mr Law. Stipulations such as a minimum number of nights have also been done away with, as this tends to deter travellers who are not attending the race.

The Ritz-Carlton, which is near the pit building, is not running a full house yet but remains upbeat.

'Based on last year's occupancy over the race weekend and given that hotel reservations since late last year have been made on a shorter-term basis, we're anticipating to once again fill up this coming year,' said Michelle Wan, director of public relations. The Ritz-Carlton was fully booked over the 2008 race weekend.

Still, the one thing the industry does seem to agree on is that bookings will - and have started to - move faster as the race weekend approaches.

'Bookings at The St Regis Singapore for the Singapore Grand Prix have started to pick up speed as race week draws closer,' said Cheryl Ong, director of marketing communications.

'Given the positive shift of business sentiment lately, it is expected that the optimism will encourage increased corporate bookings as well,' Pan Pacific Singapore general manager Ivan Lee added.

Hotels are also working with other parties to help drum up additional business. The Ritz-Carlton, together with GH Mumm, event organiser B-Yond and other partners such as Audi and Citibank, are joining hands for the Podium Lounge party, a ticketed event at the Ritz-Carlton poolside over race weekend.

And in a tie-up with the Singapore Flyer, the Pan Pacific is offering a $1,900 package which includes three nights' accommodation, a three-day pass to watch the race as well as tickets for the Singapore Flyer.

Meanwhile, the spate of announcements in recent weeks have also started to herald the arrival of Grand Prix season.

The three-day multi-artist concert F1 Rocks, which makes its worldwide debut right here in Singapore, just added Taiwanese pop singer A-Mei to a star-studded line-up which includes Beyonce, the Black Eyed Peas, ZZ Top and Jacky Cheung.

GH Mumm, the official champagne of F1, will be hosting an F1 vintage party at Velvet Underground on Sept 25. And Johnnie Walker, which is flying in some 150 corporate partners and VIPs for the race this year, will host a 500-strong private party at One on the Bund as well as set up a makeshift venue at Clarke Quay - Black Lounge Experience - which will be open to the public.


By NISHA RAMCHANDANI
http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/sub/news/story/0,4574,347121,00.html

" Maybe, they should consider slashing the F1 ticket price at say, half the price??!?? Though, on the other hand, scratch that - that's such a bad idea and could probably cause a revolt from F1 fanatics who availed of their tickets several months ago."

to watch F1 live in Singapore , F1 tickets are available at all Singpost and Sistic outlets.

Qantas Holidays offers F1 Singapore Grand Prix deals

Qantas Holidays released several deals earlier this week for Aussies wanting to witness the 2009 Formula 1TM SingTel Singapore Grand Prix.

Taking place at night from 27 September, the SGP Season will feature fast cars and fireworks as well as a three-day F1 Rocks concert which will see the Black Eyed Peas, Beyonce, ZZ Top, N*E*R*D and Simple Minds perform.

Only for purchase with accommodation, Singapore Grand Prix Turn 1 and Turn 2 tickets are priced from $1360 per person.

Accommodation deals include 3 nights accommodation in a Superior Room at Holiday Inn Atrium Singapore priced from $372 per person twin share

There is also a deal for 3 nights accommodation in a Deluxe Room at Hotel Royal priced from $384 per person twin share.

The price includes 20 percent discount off COFFEE-HOUSE's A-La-Carte menu prices and guaranteed room upgrade from a Run Of House to a Deluxe Room.

All ticket and accommodation deals are on sale until 20 September 2009 and for travel 25-27 September 2009.

Source: www.etravelblackboard.com






" This is good news indeed for all formula 1 fanatics who has to fly from down under just to watch Singapore's night race."


To watch formula 1 live in Sinapore, formula one tickets are available at all Singpost and Sistic outlets.