So after returning home with aching arms (I was hand-holding my dSLR and a massive lens for many hours) from what must be one of the highest-profile events on the Singapore – or even the international – calendar, I proceeded to process, amidst a sleepy heavy headedness, the 500 odd photos that survived the trash can in my camera. Even then, I was still none-the-wiser on what I had shot: which car was who? Aside from Hamilton, I couldn’t recognise anyone else, and those sleek machines that vrroooomed past were to me just cars adorned with sponsor logos with a helmet peeking out in the centre.
Still, one marvels at the spectacle of a night race set against the backdrop of Singapore’s city centre, a blend of historical colonial remnants and icons of the future. Little red dot, voracious reputation:
Credit goes to Singapore for being innovative, but the decision to run the race at night recognizes a viewership and advertising-revenue fact.
In addition to the intangible benefits of showing off to millions of TV viewers around the world, Singapore expects the race to bring in incremental tourism receipts of about $70 million, according to Lawrence Leong, the tourism board’s director of F1 projects. That’s a boost for hotels, nightspots, restaurants, retailers, airlines and taxi drivers. But it’s the possibility of other indirect benefits that leads cities to bid increasing amounts to host a race.
Singapore’s growing wealth-management industry also welcomes the race, for its networking potential. Formula One tends to attract the rich.
While in the lift just now, an American neighbour was passing her friend an F1 ticket and lanyard. On the 14th floor, a German family stepped in. The father saw their tickets, said that they too, were going to the races tonight. Asked, “Vhich sector?”
“Turn 1 grandstand… VIPs.”
“Ah, vewy nice!”
And I almost wanted to share that I was there the night before. If they asked, I’d have to say… “walkabout”. But I was happy with that.
I think this is Lewis Hamilton…
Where I was, shooting at a distance, and through the grilles
Ps. Doubt I’d do this again, enjoyable and challenging though this was. It’s not what an environmentalist should advocate! Been there, done that, shot it – that’s good enough.
More photos on Smugmug.
on Sep 30th, 2009 at 12:33 pm
hey did you get paid for this?
on Sep 30th, 2009 at 11:16 pm
if only
on Oct 1st, 2009 at 8:20 am
Yes, that is Lewis Hamilton, he races with a yellow helmet so his Dad can differentiate him from Heikki Kovalainen. However, some say that its an homage to Ayrton Senna.