Two years ago, The New Paper was the first to break the story of a Singapore street circuit design for Formula One racing.

It has recently been virtually adopted by Formula One authorities as the blueprint for a possible race here as early as next year.

Then, The New Paper secured the track circuit design from the Singapore Motor Sports Association, which had been in discussions with the Singapore Tourism Board as part of a feasibility study group to help market the nation as an exciting destination.

The Monaco Grand Prix, is technically, the only street circuit in the current F1 calendar, so Singapore was billed then as a possible 'Monaco of the East'.

The difference now, is that Formula One's ruling business supremo Bernie Ecclestone is keen on a first-ever night race in F1.

The novelty of a floodlit Grand Prix has already seen a Singapore consortium - led by property tycoon Ong Beng Seng - lobby Ecclestone heavily in the past few months, as government authorities now back the move.

Pushing more night races

Interestingly, it seems as if Ecclestone - being the shrewd businessman he is - cited Singapore's interest when he told an English newspaper, The Mail on Sunday, last week that he wanted to include a 'good number' of night races from as early as next season.

Japan, China, Australia are being eyed, too, because of the time zone differences that currently don't lend themselves to favourable television viewing times in Europe.

Now, the Australian media have reported that the organisers of this Sunday's Melbourne Grand Prix - this year's season-opening race - are looking at the possibility of staging their race at night if Ecclestone discusses it with them when he arrives.

So, from a driver's perspective, how could a night race work?

Singapore's most accomplished racing car driver Denis Lian, 35, was the first Singaporean to win an international motorsport title - in the Asian Formula 2000 series in 2002.

He is also the only Singaporean who has an International B Licence, given by motorsport's world ruling body FIA.

POrtable floodlight

He said: 'I've taken part in the Merdeka Millennium Endurance 12-hour races at Malaysia's Sepang circuit over the years, and that's the closest example of night racing you can find in this region.

'What they do is wheel in portable floodlights to help light up the critical areas of the circuit further, like the braking areas, turn-ins and corners.'

He said such mobile floodlighting will supplement Singapore's current street lighting around the Esplanade, Suntec City and Padang areas, where a large part of the proposed street circuit would be run on.

Lian, who has raced in Europe before, added: 'Compared to a lot of cities, Singapore's well-lit streets create enough ambient lighting.

'After all, many Singaporeans have often found themselves driving without their headlights on at night and will not know the difference till they are reminded by fellow motorists.'

Of the difference between racing in the day and at night, Lian said: 'Depth perception, especially when it comes to braking zones, will differ a bit at night.

'But from the drivers' perspective, they will see that as something to take note of, a minor challenge.'

Changing technology

As for Steve Slater, 49, he will be commentating on F1 again for cable television channel STAR Sports (which you can catch on Channel 24) this year.

In a phone interview this week, he told The New Paper what kind of impact a night race could have.

He said: 'From a broadcasting perspective, the idea of night racing in F1 has always been held back by camera and lighting technology over the decades.

'That's why there simply hasn't been one so far,' added the veteran commentator of 25 years in the F1 media circle.

He then used football live telecasts as an example.

'Over the past few years, the technology has been such that you can follow a ball easily during a well-lit football game at night.

'Also, the American IndyCar and Nascar races have their night races at airfields and ovals.

'Still, the way technology is heading, it certainly won't be a problem to capture cars going at 300km/h on the streets of Singapore.

'I've been there many times and the street lighting infrastructure is superb. All that's needed is additional floodlighting around the street circuit.'

Showing off landmarks at night

But would a night race show off Singapore's landmarks as well as a day race?

'From a non-Singaporean's perspective, the fact that it could be the first of its kind will guarantee huge media coverage, and Singapore's waterfront skyline has its own unique beauty at night.

'The world's media will turn your good old Merlion into a film star ...

'Most importantly, a race starting from about 8pm Singapore time, would translate to the lunchtime period back in the United Kingdom and Europe, and that's prime viewing time on Sundays.

'It would also translate to a friendlier 8am time period in North and South America, so that increases the possibility of a bigger viewership worldwide.'

With Singapore's integrated resorts due to open in 2009, the idea of night F1 racing would certainly help to lend a different feeling to the budding dream of being the 'Monaco of the East'.

What F1 drivers say about night racing

There will have to be a balance between not having enough lighting and having too much lighting, because you don't want it like day time. The tracks will be quick, and it is the same at Le Mans, where the cars are quicker at night. The engines like it. Night races are good. It would be great in Malaysia actually, because it would be cooler then.

- Red Bull Racing's Mark Webber - who's also the director of the Grand Prix Driver's Association - in an interview with Formula One news website autosport.com on Tuesday

I have no idea what it will be like in the cockpit. Doing 300km/h at night, I don't know what kind of illumination there can be. On a go-kart, it's fine, but I have no idea what it will be like in an F1 car. Still, it will be fun for the public and as long as we have safety in the car, it will be fine.

- Honda Racing's Rubens Barrichello, in the same interview