THE drivers lined the "starting grid" and waited patiently for the flag-off.

The supercar engines were revved hard, causing sexily-dressed race queens to cover their ears at the sidelines.

However, when the starter's flag finally dropped, so did the revs.

Instead of gunning away from the start, the 65 drivers in their fancy cars drove away quietly, under the speed limit.

What was going on?

Well, the drivers behind the wheels of the Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Maseratis and Porsches were taking part in a charity ride, not a race. And the "grid" was a carpark outside Bedok Stadium, not a race circuit.

The various supercar clubs "joined forces" to set a record and promote the Bedok Motor Sports Family Carnival yesterday. It was the largest gathering of supercars Singapore has seen, organisers said.

Deputy Prime Minister S Jayakumar, the guest of honour, waved the drivers off with a green flag.

The aim of the event was to bring motor racing to the heartlands, to promote Singapore as a regional sports hub.

And it's not every day that you spot luxury sports cars parked near an HDB carpark.

These cars, normally parked in private homes, were the attraction of the day as many residents came to take a closer look at them.

Said Mr Mark Tan, 32, a 3,600cc Ferrari Modena owner: "Some of us are fortunate to own one (sports car), but there are many others who have not seen such cars up close.

"Easily, there is about $50 million worth of sports cars parked here (in Bedok). You could actually buy a luxury yacht with that amount of money."

SPIN

While most residents took photographs of the cars, a few found out what it feels like to sit in such fast and powerful cars.

Each driver took one Bedok resident for a spin around the neighbourhood.

Mohd Asri, 9, who was not lucky enough to be chosen, was heard screaming "Felari, Felari" (referring to the Ferrari cars) to his mother every time one screamed away.

Away from the expensive big boys' toys, smaller boys were just happy to see their favourite cars in a drift duel.

Chew Zhi Chong, 10, and his brother Zhi Rong, 8, could not contain their excitement as remote-controlled cars sped past their "grandstand".

Said Zhi Chong: "We used to share a big RC (remote-controlled) car, but it's spoilt already."

And he added, watching the racers: "We like that white one because the driver is smooth and fast."

The cars were controlled by youths sitting on tables, who would occasionally tell Zhi Chong and Zhi Rong not to touch the moving cars.

Half the tents outside Bedok Stadium were dedicated to racing, with fun karts, computer race car games, car styling and remote-controlled car demonstrations.

There were also "non-motorsport" activities meant for families.

Said Mr Tan Teng Lip, president of the Singapore Motor Sports Association: "As a co-organiser of the event, we have found out that this is a good way of exposing the heartlands to motorsports.

"Most people watch the races on TV, but at these events, they get to feel and experience the excitement of motorsport in a safe environment."

Mr Tan revealed that there are 10 such events planned in the heartlands, with the one in Bedok being the fifth.

The last event will coincide with the Formula 1 race in Singapore in September.

This article was first published in The New Paper on Apr 6, 2008.