IT WAS an evening to remember for Formula One's first night race.
At London's Grosvenor House Hotel on Sunday, the Singapore Grand Prix captured the Pioneering and Innovation Award at the Autosport Awards.
The awards, handed out by motor sport magazine Autosport since 1982, are widely regarded as being second only to the annual International Automobile Federation (FIA) Gala awards in terms of prestige.
Colin Syn, deputy chairman of Singapore GP, collected the award from McLaren driver Heikki Kovalainen.
He described the effect of the grand prix on Singapore and its people as "overwhelming".
"Our two recent awards have strengthened the entire team's resolve to deliver an even better race in 2009," he said.
Only last month, the Marina Bay street circuit had been named the Motor Sport Facility of the Year at the Professional Motor Sport World annual awards in Cologne, Germany.
Also in attendance at Sunday's gala event was F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton, who was named International Racing Driver of the Year. Another winner was Sebastian Vettel, who was voted Rookie of the Year for his feats in a Toro Rosso.
There had been many question marks about the Republic's ability to stage F1's first night race, with visibility the chief concern. But these doubts were quickly dispelled once practice began.
Said Autosport: "The spectacle and atmosphere were outstanding, with the twinkling lights of the city of Singapore making an evocative backdrop for the world championship battle.
"Comparisons with Monaco were fully justified, as the track blended beautifully into the cityscape and made excellent use of landmarks such as the historic Anderson Bridge."
The night race attracted over 100,000 spectators and also cleverly tapped into the lunch-time European television audience. More than 30 million viewers in Europe, the sport's traditional heartland, followed the live coverage of the race.
When F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone called Singapore "the jewel in the sport's crown", many echoed his sentiments.
Explained McLaren team principal Ron Dennis: "It is not just a new experience, it is a real big step in the history of grand prix racing because it has done so well."
Singapore GP, however, is not resting on its laurels as it seeks to improve the race for next year. Said Syn: "As we continue to gather extensive feedback from fans, drivers, teams, partners and officials, we will be looking at incorporating many of their positive suggestions into the 2009 circuit."
He added: "The entire team are now at work.
"We have a whole cycle of things that we have to improve for next year, but we are working very hard on it."
While the novelty of night racing may be lessened with other grands prix expected to follow suit - Japan, Australia and Abu Dhabi have been mentioned - Singapore's place in the history books as the pioneer of a floodlit Formula One grand prix is assured.
Next up: The FIA Gala awards on Friday in Monaco, with Singapore in the running for the Promoter of the Year award.
And it could just be another night of glitz and glory for the Republic.
