Singapore to name 3 Corners for next GP

THREE turns on the Singapore Grand Prix’ 5.067km Marina Bay Circuit will be named next month, and the three racers Today spoke to yesterday are hoping to see history honoured.
Singapore GP and Today launched It’s Your Turn at the Singapore Grand Prix yesterday, inviting readers to email in suggestions with names for Turns 1, 7 and 10 on the circuit.

“I hope we find appropriate names that make you understand what the nature of the turn is when you hear them,” said former motorcycle racer Looi Beng Hoe, 62, who rode in the original Singapore Grand Prix from 1959 to 1973.
“Like ‘Devil’s Bend’ — when you hear that name, you know it’s to be feared and respected. It was a treacherous corner in the race, and even now, I still think.”
Devil’s Bend was an iconic turn on the original Singapore Grand Prix circuit at Old Upper Thomson Road.

Motorcyclist Alfred Armstrong, who raced alongside Looi in the 1960s and 70s, agreed.
Said the 66-year-old: “The names of corners at the Old Singapore GP werevery appropriate, like The Snakes and Devil’s Bend.
“They are the kind of names you can tell your grandchildren and they’ll know what you’re talking about. They’ve got history.”

Hafiz Koh, Singapore’s youngest professional racecar driver at 25 years of age, may not be familiar with the twists and turns of Old Upper Thomson, but he’d like to see Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew mentioned.
“We shouldn’t name the track after drivers who come and go,” said Koh, who had three Formula V6 Asia driver podium finishes last year.
“Turn 10 is near the old Supreme Court, and I’d like to see it named after the Minister Mentor, for what he’s done to bring Singapore to where it is today.”
Shamir Osman - TODAY Paper