WHO wants to be a Formula One marshal?

It appears that quite a few Singaporeans do, in order to get a trackside view of the action at next year's Singapore Grand Prix.

Over the last two weeks, the Singapore Motor Sports Association has fielded about 50 enquiries from members of the public.

The Straits Times also received over 30 e-mail from readers who were keen to offer their services.

SMSA president Tan Teng Lip said that a large number of its members and affiliated clubs have indicated their interest in becoming volunteer race marshals.

SMSA is helping race promoters Singapore GP recruit volunteers.

About 400 to 500 race marshals are needed for a variety of roles in an F1 race. These include flag marshals, safety marshals and pit-lane marshals.

Operations supervisor Mohamed Arif bin Ismail, 42 was one of the first to step forward.

'I want to sign up because I really have a passion for motor sports,' he said. 'I've heard about the danger, but I don't mind.'

A car crash at the 2001 Australian GP killed a track marshal. He was struck by a flying wheel. A similar accident resulted in the death of another marshal at the Italian GP the same year.

But volunteer hopefuls like 19-year-old polytechnic student Edmond Wee dismissed the risks involved.

He said: I've heard about the danger, but I can react quite fast to things. So I don't think there will be a problem.'

An F1 enthusiast, who wanted to be known only as Alex, was also undaunted.

'I've been to Sepang to watch an F1 race before, and I know roughly how dangerous it will be,' he said.

'But I want to learn more about the race, as well as the safety measures on a street circuit. I'm really intrigued by the whole thing.'

Organisers are taking no chances, and will insure all marshals at the Singapore race.

So what kind of training can the volunteers expect?

Tan was unable to give more details, saying that these 'are still being worked out with the race organisers'.

But a check with the British Motorsports Marshals Club showed that such organisations have their own training officers, who manage training programmes for members all year round.

Sessions include theory and practical lessons, covering topics such as firefighting and first aid.

Tan said that marshals at the Singapore GP will be certified by the FIA, the international governing body for motor sports.

They have to complete a training stint that could last up to six months.

This means that aspiring marshals will have to take time out from their work and social lives in order to make the grade - a sacrifice that not everyone is willing to make.

'I have to see the training schedule first and my work situation before I decide,' admitted Mohamed Arif.

Wee, a Ferrari fan, is willing to go the extra mile.

'I'm willing to reschedule my school modules if I have to,' he said.

'I'm doing this for the love of F1, and this is my best chance to experience a race up close. It should be fun.'