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By Andre C. Neville
The highly anticipated Formula One night race over the weekend has left avid enthusiasts who attended the three-day event frustrated - and it is not because it did not live up to the hype.
Many spectators who attended the qualifying sessions held last Saturday said they were left stranded in a sea of people, which created a bottleneck at some of the Circuit Park's exit points.
Netizens expressed their discontent at race organiser Singapore GP for its lack of crowd control, following highly anticipated music performances held at the venue.
These included gigs by American pop-rock band Maroon 5 last Saturday and Taiwanese singer Jay Chou last Friday. Both concerts were held at the Padang.
Stomp contributor Michikawa, who attended the Maroon 5 concert, posted on citizen-journalism website Stomp yesterday: "There are only two direct exits from the area via Gates 4 and 5. Gate 5 requires people to pass through a narrow underpass beneath the Fullerton Road bridge - the cause of this severe bottleneck."
Many race fanatics and concert-goers found themselves hunting for alternative exit routes, with some spotted climbing up slopes and over railings onto the bridge's walkway.
A Singapore GP spokesman told my paper: "Singapore GP works closely with the authorities to identify and prevent possible congestion points within the Circuit Park.
"However, having the race on public roads, rather than at a purpose-built circuit, does unfortunately pose certain restrictions as we have to work within the boundaries of the existing 'street furniture', as well as properties."
Over the three days, 252, 951 spectators attended the event, an increase from last year's total of 250,000.
Circuit Park has 10 exit points, the same number as it did last year.
The spokesman added: "We have, however, measures in place to minimise the congestion and are continually monitoring the situation to improve crowd management."
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F1 crowd ploughs through plants and climbs railings to exit venue
Click on thumbnail to view. (Photos: Stomp) |
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Singapore prepares for F1's toughest race this year
Click on thumbnail to view. (Photos: ST, Singapore GP, Pirelli Tyres Singapore) |
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