SINGAPORE READY TO HOLD FORMULA 1 NIGHT RACING

SINGAPORE, Sept 26 (Bernama) - Last-minute preparations are going on for Singapore's first-ever Formula One night race that begins Friday.

After a year of planning, more than a month of work to lay a new tar road,
fix powerful lights and a safety fence as well as put up spectator stands, the
track is ready.

The track, which goes by historical buildings including the Parliament
building and Hotel Fullerton, will be used for three days. Friday for just
training and Saturday for training and the qualifying race.

Sunday night is the showdown when racers will compete over 61 laps to the
finish line.

About 100,000 spectators, including from abroad, are expected to watch the
800th Formula One race joined by millions overseas through international sports
television stations including Singapore TV.

According to the organisers last week, 99 per cent of the 80,000 tickets
have been sold for the race billed as FORMULA 1 SingTel Singapore Grand Prix
after the sponsor Singapore Telecommunications Ltd.

-- BERNAMA