Singapore bound: 7 tips for all you race-goers and party people

This time next week, Singapore is going to celebrate the glory of man and machine with the 2011 Grand Prix Singapore Season. The only city night race in the Formula 1 calendar, the Singapore Grand Prix is considered the “jewel in the Formula One crown” for its unique setup and for the entire season’s one-of-a-kind experience

The island city-state will be alive with parties, models, music, and all sorts of wonderful festivities for race fans and non-race fans alike. With so much going on, it would be wise for race goers to map out the things they want to do, and take note of the essentials for the 2011 GPSS weekend.  Here are a few simple tips to get the most out of the festivities, and to make your experience louder than life:

Asia’s first supermodel DJ, DJ Angie Vu Ha, is performing at the St. James Power Station. 

1. Dress appropriately: The climate in Singapore is quite similar to Manila’s, with only a few degrees discrepancy. Singapore is uniformly hot and somewhat humid, so it would be advisable to dress light. Also, wear comfortable shoes for walking. You might just find yourself walking down the length of Orchard Road in a shopping frenzy, or through Chinatown or Little India to experience a confluence of cultures, feelings, and flavors.

2. Pick up a race day survival kit: This is pretty important. The kit costs $2 and it contains a rain poncho and a pair of earplugs. Hopefully it doesn’t rain on the weekend itself, but because of the tropical weather, it would be good to be prepared for such an eventuality. The ear plugs need very little explanation: The cars are loud, and you may hurt your ear drums if you watch the race from the stands without a pair.

3. Find your public transport routes: Know which section your tickets are for and plan your route to your respected gate accordingly. Leave a bit early so as not to catch the mad rush of people coming in to the race venue. It’s ok to be there early, there are a lot of things to do: Grab a bite, scope the venue, watch performances, and check out boutiques. Bring change for taxis if you intend to stay out late as the train line usually closes a little after midnight.

4. Prioritize which races you want to catch: From the 23rd-25th, each night will feature a different Formula One event. Friday will be the practice round, Saturday will be the qualifying round, and Sunday will be the actual race. Decide which ones you want to attend, or if you intend to watch them all. Die-hard Formula One fans should opt to watch all events to see how their favorite teams and drivers do on each day.

5. Grab a map of the circuit park and study it: The Circuit Park is divided into four zones, each with their own entertainment and food and beverage options. It would be good to know where everything is; like where the restroom facilities are located.

Get ready for the 2011 Grand Prix Singapore Season!

6. Make time for the artists you want to catch: This year, the Padang Main Stage is going to host Korean trio GD, TOP & SeungRi from BigBang, Glee Starlet Charice, mega-star Shakira, and multi-award winning rock band Linkin Park. Other performers throughout the Circuit Park include Rick Astley, Boy George, and Shaggy. Not to mention other international acts in venues outside the Circuit Park like The Chemical Brothers, Benny Benassi, Daddy G of Massive Attack, Sander Kleinenberg and with Asia’s first supermodel DJ, DJ Angie Vu Ha. Find out their schedules and where they are playing, and make sure to catch them.

7. Don’t forget your camera: Snap away! Whether it is day or night, make sure to capture those festive moments. Look out for life-size driver cutouts placed around the Circuit Park. Those are a lot of fun.

So there you have it, a few tips that can hopefully streamline your GPSS weekend schedule. Its going to be packed. It’s going to be loud. And it’s definitely going to be a lot of fun.

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Keep updated with the 2011 Grand Prix Singapore Season with their Facebook page at  http://www.facebook.com/SingaporeGP and @F1NightRace on Twitter.

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E-mail me at enricomiguelsubido@gmail.com.