Fewer road closures for this year's Singapore Grand Prix

The Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix is returning for its third year next month, from September 24 to 26.
And this year, organisers have said road closures would be further minimised.
Roads will now be closed on six days - half of what it was in 2008 when Singapore held the inaugural race, and one day less than last year.

There were road closures on seven days in 2009.

The Singapore Tourism Board said the reduction is possible because of experience gained in the first year and basic installations already in place.

Race fans who also love music can look forward to watching Mariah Carey, Missy Elliot, Daughtry and Adam Lambert among other performers at the Padang.

For the first two years, more than 190,000 spectators are said to have watched both races live, 30 per cent of whom are foreign visitors.

Shorter F1 road closure period to minimise disruptions

Organisers of this year's Singapore Grand Prix hope a shorter period of road closure will minimise disruptions to traffic and businesses. Roads will be closed for seven days instead of the 12 days last year. Race organisers will also be beefing up public transport services during the road closure period from September 23 to 29. During the race weekend, up to 650 more train trips will be added, which will run until 1.15am. But what is significant this year is that all taxis will be allowed to enter restricted areas, without the need for special F1 decals.

Restricted areas include Temasek Boulevard via Rochor Road, as well as the single-lane road along Raffles Boulevard. But the new allowance does not apply to race hours, when only vehicles with F1 decals will be allowed in. Race hours are from 9pm to 11pm on September 25 and 26, and from 7pm to 10pm on September 27. Organisers hope the new taxi access will attract more people to visit retail and food and beverage outlets affected by the road closures. Justin Chew, director of F1 project, Singapore Tourism Board, said: "We are a lot more efficient this year, and we are a lot better. All the safety considerations have been addressed. So there is no need to avoid the area."

For race ticket holders, free shuttle services will take them to the race venue from Lavander, Kallang, Outram Park and Clarke Quay MRT stations. Those who will be heading to the affected area are also advised to plan their journey in advance to avoid unnecessary confusion over the road closures. The public can pick up an information leaflet on the road closures at petrol stations, shopping centres and hotels.

Despite the new measures to ease traffic congestion, some feel that more can be done. Michael Ma, CEO, IndoChine Group, said: "I feel that a lot of the roads do not even need to be closed at all, like in Monaco. I keep hearing the same story that Singapore is different from Monaco but to me, the car is the same - the same driver, the same organisation, the same speed. Why do we have to go through such hardship with road closures, and disrupt the whole city’s lifeline? And for seven days, that is ridiculous."

Race organisers stress that public transport is still the best way to travel into the Marina Bay area during the Singapore GP season, and it is also a speedier alternative for fans going to the F1 Rocks concert at Fort Canning Park.

Black Eyed Peas, Beyonce to headline F1 ROCKS™ in Singapore

The inaugural F1 ROCKS™ event will take place at the 2009 FORMULA 1 SINGTEL SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX later this year, with a star-studded music line-up headlined by global superstars the Black Eyed Peas and Beyonce. ‘F1 ROCKS™ Singapore with LG’ will span three days of the night-time race weekend, from September 24-26.F1 ROCKS™ fuses the world’s most popular annual sporting series with the most iconic music stars to create an unrivalled experience for Formula One and music fans alike. At the core of F1 ROCKS™ is a series of spectacular multi-artist live music events from glamorous Formula One race locations around the world, of which Singapore will be the first.Other artists confirmed for the concerts in Singapore’s Fort Canning Park are ZZ Top, Simple Minds, N*E*R*D and Chinese pop legend Jacky Cheung. Along with the two headliners, they have sold over 245 million records worldwide between them.
The show will also feature guest appearances from top Formula One drivers and celebrities.“I am delighted to be launching F1 ROCKS™ in Singapore and very pleased to have Singapore as our inaugural event and LG Electronics as our title launch sponsor,” said Paul Morrison, CEO & Chief Creative Officer, All The Worlds/ F1 ROCKS™. “The world’s only F1 night race just got bigger, faster and louder. Our talent is world class and F1 ROCKS™ will rock Singapore!”“LG is very excited to be a key partner, with Formula 1™ and Universal Music, to launch the F1 ROCKS™ with LG program in Singapore,” added Dermot Boden, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of LG Electronics, who are already a Global Partner of Formula 1™ and a Technology Partner of Formula 1™.
“LG’s partnership with Formula 1™ delivers the ‘LG - Life’s Good’ experience to millions of people across the world. F1 ROCKS™ with LG will allow us to further broaden global awareness to build a deeper understanding for our style and technology positioning with an even wider audience that embraces music and entertainment as a passion. It is a natural fit for us to become part of such a premium global music event!”F1 ROCKS™ is set to be a global sensation and will be broadcast worldwide across a potential 188 Formula One territories. Two TV programmes will be produced from ‘F1 ROCKS™ Singapore with LG’; the first will be an hour-long entertainment show, giving viewers unrivalled access into the glamorous world of Formula One racing with A-List celebrity interviews, TV stunts, unique performances and aspirational and lifestyle features.
The second will be a high-octane music special showcasing the best live music performances and interviews.

The full line-up for Singapore (other artists to be announced):

Thursday September 24 - Jacky Cheung, Da Mouth and Sodagreen
Friday September 25 - ZZ Top, Simple Minds and N*E*R*D
Saturday September 26 - Beyonce and Black Eyed Peas