Formula1 Singapore 2012 (Part 2)

Before I continue, did I mention that one should be ready for the heat and prepare for a lot of walking. The area within the track is humongous and there can be pockets of crowded areas. On the other hand, there are lots to do: Free concerts, free rides on the Singapore Flyer, street performances, shop for F1 merchandise, watch for fireworks and sample the different food outlets.

 

These are the passes that would get you through the gates. There will be a different set for each day and there are people at the entrances with scanners to check the bar codes.

 

 

After donning my "Race Day" shoes, we were on our way to the races... (I had to add this picture, it was my only chance...)

 

 

One bit of advice though...It might be prudent to make sure to check on the best way to the venue and on getting back home after. I was warned that on certain hours of the night it will be difficult to get a cab. There are also additional surcharges that are levied on the passenger. For example, on Sunday, race day, if you get a cab from 9:30 pm to 12 mn, you will be assessed SG$8 plus an additional SG$3 if you call for a cab. MRT stations are also within walking deitance. It might be best to try and stay at a hotel near your gate.

 

Once you clear the gates, you will have to go through a gauntlet of outlets selling race apparel...

 

 

It may be a good idea to purchase a "survival kit" composed of ear plugs and a disposable rain coat. After all you are in the tropics near the equator and a sudden downpour isn't unheard of. They cost SG$2 and the proceeds go to a charity.

 

 

If you wouldn't mind going back to have a look at the second photo you will se a voucher booklet. The voucher has coupons that entitle you to a sassier survival kit (called an amenity pack), 2 snacks, dinner, supper (yes, for them, there is a difference), and 5 drinks.

 

There is an area within the grandstand to pick all of these up at your convenience.

 

The amenity pack includes a bottle of water, a fan, map, 2 scented moist towelettes, sunblock, an elastic ribbon for the hair, and of course earpugs and rain coat.

 

 

As for the food, I will show you the menu for dinner and supper that were prepared for Sunday and the drinks that are made available to you.

 

 

They sure know how to throw a party!

 

Getting on to the race...

 

Before anything, the track has to be checked for any debris that can potentially harm a driver or spectator.

 

 

Also, rescue crews do some rehersals in case of any mishaps.

 

 

 

I told you that the view from the grandstand seats were not ideal for photgraphy. You have to contend with the safety wire mesh. This was the one clear spot from my vantage point...turn #3, but the only photos are of the rear of the cars. (This is about the area where Hamilton's gear box blew...I could see the white smoke coming out of his car)

 

 

There are official photographers who get access to great shooting spots...

 

 

But the rest of us had to make do...

 

 

After the track is cleared, a few track officials go through the track to give the go-ahead. What a neat job...Clerk of the Course!

 

 

This is where the race starts, the track parallel to the pit lane just before turn #1.

 

 

It's time for head sets or ear plugs...

 

 

 And we're off...

 

After the race, it's time to watch a concert, get a drink, catch a ride on The Flyer, have a night on the town, spend time with friends, buy a shirt...the possibilities are endless...this is the F1...this is Singapore!

I didn't really plan on writing about the race or analyze the results. What I intended was to give readers an opportunity to appreciate the festivities of the weekend. If in the future you decide to attend the F1 in Singapore, I hope that this gives you that push and prepares you for it.

 

Undress Me...

In basketball, it is very commen to find players josting for position either to get a rebound, or accept a pass from a teammate. This usually involves grabbing on to your opponents uniform, and well, sometimes it gets out of hand...

 

To wit...

 

Here is Temaraw Mark Bringas trying to keep NU's Emmanuel Mbe from getting near the basket and a rebound and inadvertently pulling his shorts down. It's a good thing there weren't too many spectators in the stands.

 

Next up...how do you stop a 7" player from getting a lobbed pass? You can't, but you can sure try as 6"5 Rodney Brondial of Adamson tries to demonstrate against center Greg Slaughter of Ateneo. I don't see how pulling off his jersey helps.

 

 

Here we see Slaughter returning the favor against and NU bulldog Henri Betayene...

 

 

and Emmanuel Mbe.

 

 

DLSU's Norbert Torres tries to grab some cloth from the shirt of UP's center Raul Soyud.

 

 

Torres' teammate Yutien "Tayshaun" Andrada gets the same treatment from a UP player as they fight for position.

 

 

FEU's foreign center Anthony Hargrove tries a two handed approach on UP's Diony Hipolito in a rebound play.

 

 

DLSU back-up center Papot paredes gets his top untucked by UE's Jairold Flores.

 

 

Over in the NCAA, there are similar situations as shown by St. Benilde Player De La Paz getting his shorts yanked down and showig some skin, although it is not clear is Latran's Dysam is the culprit.

 

 

Formula1 Singapore 2012 (Part 1)

Having the only night time circuit in the world, Singapore has become a favorite among F1 aficionados, after all this weekend isn't only about racing, this is an event, and a spectacular one at that. I decided not to write about the race itself but instead focus on the whole experience of attending an F1 extravaganza.

 

Interestingly, on our way into the city from the airport, I was astonished to hear from our taxi driver that a lot of locals were not too happy with Singapore's hosting the F1 weekend. They complained about the traffic that results from closing off several city streets, difficulty in finding cabs and of course the relentless noise. F1 cars can sound like fighter jets on wheels.

 

Originally thought to be on its last year in Singapore, it was announced just before the Qualifying round that there will be a 5 year extension (till 2107) of the races. There will still be lots of opportunities for you to plan on attending one.

F1 tickets don't come cheap, they range in prices from less than US$100 for a weekend pass to a grandstand with limited views up to more that US$3,000 for access to great seating, unlimited food and drinks, and the race pits. I met a few people who mentioned that they had "walk about" passes and I supposed that this did not gain them any seating privileges.

 

There are a host of scheduled activities on the track and off. Here is an example of a track schedule:

 

 

This is a sample of off-track activities available on the same day as the list above:

 



 

Yup, that's a Maroon 5 concert scheduled at the Padang Stage. Other performers of note were Katy Perry who had a concert Sunday evening after the race, also, Bananarama and The Pretenders. That's lead singer and songwriter Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders right there and she still has that beautiful melodious voice.

 

 

There are of course various venues throughout the more than 5 kilometer track. The organizers provide lots of information to ensure a maximum experience that is tailor fit to your needs.

 

 

 

 

 

The Bay Grandstand and the floating stage on the esplanade waterfront straddle one of the straightways of the course. National Day activities are also held in this venue.

 

 

On Friday, our first evening, we were invited to an elegant dinner before we headed out to the race track. This was to be a first exposure and I had no expectations whatsoever. We were lucky enough to be given VIP access to the Sky Suites. After we were given passes...

 

 

We boarded a ferry that took us to a Jetty just behind the track...

 

 

The Sky Suites were positioned higher than the grandstands and offered a great view of turns 1, 2 and 3 of the track. There were also giant LED screens all over the place so you can monitor the action elsewhere. Of course there was unlimited food and drinks till after midnight. Although I tried to limit my partaking of this feast it took all of my will power to resist the gustatory aromas wafting in the air.

 

 

 

 

One great advantage of being on this perch is that photographic opportunites were unhampered. I did my best to take as many photos as I could as I knew it wouldn't get any better than this. You didn't think you wouldn't see any cars did you?

 

 

 

We decided to call it a night at 10:30 pm as there were 2 more days of activities to contend with. We continue this in Part 2... 

Smothered!

A friend of mine used to say that in college basketball having the ball in your hands is like a magnet. It attracts every one's attention and with a frenzied crowd screaming "GET THAT BALL!" it can send a chill down your spine if "THAT BALL" is being cradled in your arms.

 

In the rough and tumble world of a supposed non-contact sport, you either start running, hope you're a great ball handler or you pass the rock real quick. If not...

 

this may happen...

as demonstrated by former Ateneo bruise brothers Art dela Cruz and Jumbo Escueta. Well, I don't think they were actually going after the ball, but you get the idea. On the extreme right hand side of the image you see Adamson's Import Austin Manyara looking freaked or just wondering if he should try catching the loose ball. 

 

 

Next up, UST rookie Jeric Teng gets stopped cold by Ateneo's Frank Golla and Justin Chua on his way to the basket.

 

 

This time around it's Blue Eagle Nico Salva who gets forced to pass the rock by DLSU's Norbert Torres' and Papot Paredes' D.

 

 

All the action doesn't have to happen in the air. Here, former Ateneo point guard Emman Monfort tries to smother FEU's Terrence Romeo as teammate Kirk Long stands by to lend a hand.

 



 

JP Erram also gets in the act with a two-handed block...too bad he also got the unknown Adamson player on the arm. 

 



 

University of the East guard Paul Zamar gets caught by two Adamson Falcons.

 

 

Blue Eagle Nico Salva gets a Falcon on the face as Zags Gonzaga goes for the steal.

 

 

Two UE players prevent DLSU Rookie sensation Jeron Teng from getting his shot off.

 

 

Lastly, and this one's a doozy...

 

Ateneo's Center Greg Slaughter, a 7 foot behemoth gets slapped on the face and pulled down by the shoulder by 2 UP players and no foul was called! You gotta do what you gotta do to win games but do the referees even need to help out? You see the ref on the bottom left hand corner contemplating something else other than blowing his whistle. Geez Louise!