Singapore GP not a '$25-chicken-rice' race: organisers
The Singapore Grand Prix is meant to be a great experience and not a "$25-chicken-rice" race, said the organisers of Formula One's (F1) only night race.
A general view shows the lit circuit for the upcoming Formula One Singapore Grand Prix night race.
SINGAPORE: The Singapore Grand Prix is meant to be a great experience and not a "$25-Chicken-Rice" race, said the organisers of Formula One's (F1) only night race, in response to a report that showed the city-state may not be the most affordable place to catch an F1 race.
Race organisers say Singaporeans consistently make up about 60 per cent of the over 80,000 race-goers each year. This applies to every price category - from the cheapest walkabout tickets to the Pit Grandstand.
"Over and above a sporting occasion, it is a huge social occasion now. Singaporeans like a good party,” said Mr Michael Roche, executive director of the Singapore GP. “I think this loyalty has grown among Singaporeans - they've become quite proud of the Singapore Grand Prix and they like it when the world is watching Singapore and the skyline.
"We don't want to be a '$25-chicken-rice Grand Prix'. We want to be a great experience."
But there is a price to be paid for the chance to experience F1's only night race. Travel website TripAdvisor ranked the Singapore Grand Prix as the seventh most expensive, out of the 19 races worldwide. It said the price of catching the Sunday final race here is S$622.67. This includes the cost of the cheapest tickets at S$207.33, a meal and a night's stay at a hotel near the track.
But with the accommodation cost excluded, many locals find that catching a race here is still affordable. The race is also attracting more young fans. "McLaren and Red Bull - they were young, they were sexy and cutting edge. I think the youth much more identified with that," said Mr Roche.
"The whole thing about Red Bull culture, it's so out there and it's so anti-establishment and I think the kids always want to associate with something like that," he added. "It is very youthful, and kind of contemporary and fun. So I think that brings in new people to the sport."
Visitor demographics have also shifted over the years. For example, the Singapore GP is seeing more visitors from China and fewer from the UK.
The organisers declined to reveal how many tickets have been sold, but they are confident of coming close to last year's figures of about 87,500. Tickets in some areas, such as the Esplanade Waterfront Grandstand, are sold out but in other areas, the organisers have the capability to add seats to boost capacity.
The Singapore Grand Prix is meant to be a great experience and not a "$25-chicken-rice" race, said the organisers of Formula One's (F1) only night race.
SINGAPORE: The Singapore Grand Prix is meant to be a great experience and not a "$25-Chicken-Rice" race, said the organisers of Formula One's (F1) only night race, in response to a report that showed the city-state may not be the most affordable place to catch an F1 race.
Race organisers say Singaporeans consistently make up about 60 per cent of the over 80,000 race-goers each year. This applies to every price category - from the cheapest walkabout tickets to the Pit Grandstand.
"Over and above a sporting occasion, it is a huge social occasion now. Singaporeans like a good party,” said Mr Michael Roche, executive director of the Singapore GP. “I think this loyalty has grown among Singaporeans - they've become quite proud of the Singapore Grand Prix and they like it when the world is watching Singapore and the skyline.
"We don't want to be a '$25-chicken-rice Grand Prix'. We want to be a great experience."
But there is a price to be paid for the chance to experience F1's only night race. Travel website TripAdvisor ranked the Singapore Grand Prix as the seventh most expensive, out of the 19 races worldwide. It said the price of catching the Sunday final race here is S$622.67. This includes the cost of the cheapest tickets at S$207.33, a meal and a night's stay at a hotel near the track.
But with the accommodation cost excluded, many locals find that catching a race here is still affordable. The race is also attracting more young fans. "McLaren and Red Bull - they were young, they were sexy and cutting edge. I think the youth much more identified with that," said Mr Roche.
"The whole thing about Red Bull culture, it's so out there and it's so anti-establishment and I think the kids always want to associate with something like that," he added. "It is very youthful, and kind of contemporary and fun. So I think that brings in new people to the sport."
Visitor demographics have also shifted over the years. For example, the Singapore GP is seeing more visitors from China and fewer from the UK.
The organisers declined to reveal how many tickets have been sold, but they are confident of coming close to last year's figures of about 87,500. Tickets in some areas, such as the Esplanade Waterfront Grandstand, are sold out but in other areas, the organisers have the capability to add seats to boost capacity.
