F1 fever has never been hotter in Singapore than just now. And there is clearly a case for striking while the iron is hot - if the republic is not to lose staging the event altogether. Many others, like India, are eagerly waiting in the wings.

The trend now is for F-1 city races, that is for street circuits and races near major population centres, like those in Melbourne and Monaco. Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone - who has been discussing a possible Singapore street race with tycoon Ong Beng Seng and the Singapore government - told a French magazine recently that a grand prix in Paris, for instance, has always been his dream.

Certainly, an F-1 race there, instead of the countryside of Magny-Cours, is a more attractive option for the sport's corporate backers, not to mention Paris officials themselves.

That's point one - which Singapore should capitalise on. A globally televised race here, with cars zooming past the iconic Esplanade, the Padang, downtown Suntec and the upcoming Marina integrated resort, will do more to sell Singapore than any single convention can. It can only boost Singapore's standing as one of the top global cities.

Point two is even more compelling. F-1, the epitome of motor racing, is watched by hundreds of millions live worldwide - but not necessarily at prime time by everyone.

Singapore fans tune in to the Canadian or Brazilian grand prix at ungodly hours, just as Europeans get to catch the first race of the season in Melbourne in the wee hours of the morning. So, the idea of night racing - bringing F-1 racing in the East live to prime-time TV audiences in the West - was born.

And Singapore, if negotiations are successful, is the top favourite to hold the very first night race in F-1 history in the coming 2008 season, guaranteeing it millions of eyeballs.

Already, even before the concept of night racing here has been settled, F-1 officials are eagerly bouncing this idea for other circuits like Melbourne - clearly with TV advertising dollars in their sights.

We know Singapore and F-1 officials are in their negotiations. Singapore should pull out all the stops if it wants the race. Mark Webber, director of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association, was the first to test the proposed 4.8-km Singapore circuit last Saturday - albeit in a Renault Megane Coupe and at a leisurely 15 minutes per lap, when an F-1 racer would have blazed the route in just one minute and 25 seconds.

A pity, if not for red tape, Webber's PR cruise could have been a more realistic circuit test. It could have, for example, been conducted in the wee hours of the morning with roads properly closed to normal traffic.

Clearly, a lot of work needs to be done, like ensuring proper lighting for a night race. It will take three weeks to set up the logistics of a race here and a week to dismantle. Some disruptions should be expected.

Singapore is also considering building a permanent racetrack in the east to feature other motor-sport races throughout the year. As Webber noted: 'The city has to learn to embrace the event.' That really is the bottom line.