Singapore’s F1 ‘racentertainment’

Viewing a 3-day weekend Formula One race that starts from practice day on Friday, qualifying on Saturday and up to the race day on Sunday runs a total of about 10 hours of thrilling race action.

Aside from the race teams performing on tracks, the Singapore Grand Prix, race promoter of the world’s only Formula One night race, said this year’s race weekend, which happens on September 23 to 25, has more than 300 international and local entertainers performing off track with everything from rock concerts, theater musicals and street performers including fire-eaters, Brazilian street dancers, stunt performers and a plethora of performing arts-themed sideshows.

Most successful

SGP has successfully hosted year after year one of the most successful Grand Prix race series in recent F1 history and is Asia’s only street race on the Formula One calendar.

Dubbed as Asia’s biggest sporting and entertainment extravaganza, SGP plays host to several Grammy award-winning artists who will headline the pre- and post-event entertainment. These events promise to be the biggest since the race’s inception in 2008.

For the price of one ticket, fans can access a S$5 million worth of entertainment and enjoy hours of F1 race action as well as its various support races like the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia and the JK Racing Asia Series.

Linking ‘Concert’ Parks

With some tickets that offer access to all zones, there are over 103 stages and roving performances within the circuit park. For starters, two-time Grammy winning rock band Linkin Park will play a one-night only concert featuring hits from “A Thousand Suns” at the Padang main stage (Zone 4) on race day (Sunday, September 25).

For the first time in Singapore, Colombian singer-songwriter and international performer Shakira will perform at the Padang main stage on Saturday with her worldwide smash hits like “Hips Don’t Lie” and “Waka Waka.”

DJ and ’80s icon Boy George is also expected to perform live for Zone 1 Village Stage ticketholders on Saturday.

Other international performers include Shaggy of the Mr. “Boombastic” fame who will perform at the Esplanade Outdoor Theatre at Zone 4 on Saturday and at the Village stage on Zone 1 on Sunday.

Our very own international singing sensation and Glee star Charice will also perform on the same Padang stage on Friday and at the Village stage in Zone 1 on Saturday.

Last but not least, ’90s icon Rick Astley will sing live at the Esplanade Outdoor Theatre on Saturday and Village Stage on Sunday.

Going, going, gone

With about four weeks to night race, tickets for the SGP have reached over 80 percent of this year’s targeted sales. The Turn 2, Pit Straight, Esplanade Waterfront and Premier Walkabout tickets are selling fast, while the Stamford Grandstand tickets are completely sold out.

Due to the huge line up of international stars to perform during the race weekend, both single-day and three-day Zone 4 Walkabout tickets are also selling fast, with tickets priced from S$118 for a Saturday single-day Zone 4 Walkabout ticket to S$1,288 for a three-day Turn 1 or 2 Grandstand ticket.

All tickets allow patrons access to the Padang main stage in Zone 4, where Shakira will be performing.

“Building on the glamor of the only Formula One night race, we’ve packed all three days with an extensive entertainment program featuring the biggest names in music, stunning theatrical-visual productions, retro showcases and electrifying parades. Fans only need the one ticket to enjoy both the thrilling track action and all-day entertainment, making a ticket to the Singapore Grand Prix truly value for money,” said Michael Roche, executive director of SGP.

Last year, Singapore GP’s entertainment showcase at the Padang stage was voted “Best Concert” and the race itself was named “Best Global Showcase of Singapore” by CNNGo.

Win a trip to 2011 SGP

Inquirer Motoring announced last week that one pair of lucky Formula One fans will win a pair of round-trip airfares, including room for three nights along with race tickets to the 2011 Formula 1 SingTel Singapore Grand Prix (leaving Manila on September 23 and returning on September 26).

To join the contest, send an e-mail to [email protected] with your name, address, contact numbers, and write, in 25 words or less why the organizers should send you to the Singapore Grand Prix.

Last day of submission is September 8, at 12 noon.

One entry per person will be allowed. For more information about the race and its events, visit www.singaporegp.sg.

For more information on how to purchase tickets and travel packages to SGP locally, contact Red Rock Travel at tel. nos. 4334245; 7386614; and 09178923516, or visit their website at www.redrocktravel.net. Watch out next week as Red Rock Travel, along with other race ticket dealers in the country who are promoting local sales of SGP 2011 tickets and tour, will be announcing another raffle for a rare chance to meet the Formula One Red Bull team at the SGP Pit Garage for local ticket buyers.