Most local fans are glad that Singapore is finally getting to host the F1 race

FORMULA one is coming to town, much to the delight of racing fans here.

"Finally," said Anne Wong Holloway, who was one of the few women racers in the Singapore Grand Prix in the 1970s.

"I think it will be good for Singapore. I'm sure it will be carried out with a great deal of style because they've chosen the right people to run it. And that's important - doing it properly."

She could not have put it better.

After months of speculation, it was announced yesterday that Singapore would host a leg of the Formula One Grand Prix - a night race on a street circuit - next September or October.

The Singapore Grand Prix will be managed by Singapore GP, a newly-incorporated race-promotion company linked to entrepreneur Ong Beng Seng.

Malaysian driver Alex Yoong, who raced for F1 team Minardi in 2002, was thrilled with the news, particularly with the street circuit.

"Street races are for the community. People talk about it the whole year," said the A1 Team Malaysia driver, who is here as STARSports' guest commentator.

"The crowd stay on to enjoy the city, unlike at a race held on a track. The potential for hospitality is amazing and the sponsors love it.

"It's thoroughly more enjoyable."

Dr Winston Lee was among those who tried to bring F1 to Singapore between the late 1980s and 1991.

Then, it was offered on the condition that a circuit had to be built within two years.

But the site earmarked for a circuit was secured for $131million by NatSteel, which then built the Laguna National Golf and Country Club there.

Naturally, Dr Lee met the good news with delight yesterday.

"Of course I'm very happy. If we had deliberated any longer, we would have missed our chance," he said.

"After so long, it finally comes true. It's something very special for me."

Retired teacher Harold Netto, who was also involved in the previous attempt to stage the F1 here, said he was on 'cloud nine'.

The 66-year-old former rally driver, who has been involved with motorsports for over 45 years, said: "It's a totally different kettle of fish from our local events, like carpark rallies.

"The atmosphere at an F1 race is so electrifying. You can't get that by watching it on TV."

Singapore Motor Sports Association president and Ferrari fan Tan Teng Lip believes the race will give motorsport's profile in the Republic a fillip.

Former A1 Grand Prix driver Hafiz Koh agreed, adding: "Having an F1 race here will show Singapore's acceptance of motorsport as a sport.

"If a motorsport culture can be developed, it'll be even better. Singapore will definitely be the Monaco of the East."

And, with the fringe activities during the week-long event, there will be something even for those not interested in the F1.

As Singapore National Olympic Council secretary-general and former Porsche Club president Chris Chan put it: "There are the pre- and post-race parties, and a lot of related activities.

"You get to meet drivers and see the cars. There is a lot of hype surrounding it, not just the race itself."

Said Yoong: "The actual driving around will be very low on the drivers' list of things to do in Singapore."

F1 fan Ana Dhoraisingam, who works in the Raffles Place area, knows the inconvenience the race will create, after experiencing the road closures and high security at last year's IMF meetings.

But that is the least of her worries. Potential security measures worry her more.

"Knowing how cautious our authorities can sometimes be in these matters, I hope they don't go over the top and embarrass Singapore by imposing restrictions that F1 fans never see elsewhere in the world," said the bank employee.

She has been a motoring enthusiast since childhood and has travelled to Sepang twice to catch the Malaysian GP. Bank employee Emelie Tan, 28, does not follow the sport but is not averse to watching it here if she gets a free ticket. There are some who plan to avoid it like the plague.

"What's the point of having a race so near the one in Kuala Lumpur?" asked lawyer Maryam Menon, 25, referring to the Malaysian Grand Prix in Sepang.

"Besides, it will be inconvenient, noisy and meaningless. I don't want to be affected by it.

"I guess it's good for marketing, but I still don't see the point of holding it."