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Miroslav Sanytrák | 19.7.08 | FIA

PIT BUILDING TO HOUSE KEY FORMULA ONE RACE FACILITIES COMPLETED

Singapore, 11 July 2008 – The completion of the Pit Building at 1 Republic Boulevard was marked with a simple ceremony today, witnessed by Guest-of-Honour, Mr S. Iswaran, Senior Minister of State for Trade & Industry, and key officials from race promoter Singapore GP Pte Ltd, the Singapore Tourism Board, and other invited guests. The three-storey building located along the Marina Promenade is a key piece of race infrastructure that will house important race facilities, such as the garages for the Formula One™ race teams, race control facilities, media centre, the winners’ podium, as well as the Paddock Club. Spanning some 350 metres, the building’s glass facade will provide for a panoramic view of the exciting race action along the Pit Straight and Pit Lane.

“Much preparation has been made to make Singapore’s first Formula One™ race a reality. This has been made possible with the close working relationship developed over these months between the race promoter Singapore GP Pte Ltd, key stakeholders as well as the various government agencies,” said Senior Minister of State for Trade & Industry Iswaran. “Besides public–private sector collaborations, I believe there are also opportunities for businesses around the circuit to take proactive steps to work together to market themselves and reap synergistic benefits together by heightening the leisure experiences offered to both locals and visitors,”
With the Pit Building set to house various groups of people from mechanics to motor-sports media and some of the most distinguished guests of the race, Mr Lim Neo Chian, Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive, Singapore Tourism Board, who chairs the Formula One™ Working Committee said, “The Pit Building is set to provide some of the most exclusive experiences available to race-goers. The race experience will be made complete with the many lifestyle offerings that we have lined up with the Singapore GP Season including fine dining, great shopping and various entertainment options. We hope to give visiting Formula One™ fans more reasons to return to Uniquely Singapore for fulfilling race experiences year after year.”

Enhanced Pit Building Design
In March 2008, enhancements were made to the Pit Building design, which include increasing the gross floor area from 18,000 square metres to 23,000 square metres. Construction costs for the Pit Building stand at S$40 million. With the high demand for corporate hospitality tickets, this will allow for a more spacious Paddock Club, providing a more exclusive Formula One™ race experience for an estimated 4,000 guests.
“Even before the launch of the Paddock Club packages, we have had huge interest from the who’s who of the Formula One™ community. From the various teams and their sponsors to multi-national corporations eager to impress their top clients, the demand for places exceeded all expectations. It is great to have a purpose-built facility to deliver a world-class corporate hospitality that will enable guests to experience the excitement of the 2008 FORMULA 1™ SingTel Singapore Grand Prix up-close and in-style,” said Mr Colin Syn, Deputy Chairman of Singapore GP Pte. Ltd.
Designer Architects 61 Pte Ltd and developer Singapore GP Pte Ltd have been in consultation with the STB to work with the main contractor, local firm JURONG Primewide Pte Ltd, to ensure that the construction meets the stringent requirements of Formula One Management (FOM) and the Fédération Internationale de l"Automobile (FIA). Following its completion, the Pit Building is now ready for handover to Singapore GP Pte Ltd, who will begin outfitting the interior in preparation for the 2008 FORMULA 1™ SingTel Singapore Grand Prix.

Preparations for the Race On Track
The completion of the Pit Building is the latest milestone in the preparations for the race. In the last 14 months, race organisers have worked tirelessly to prepare for the race. Two key milestones were crossed in September and October 2007, when Singapore was granted approval to stage the world’s first night race in Formula One™ history, and in-principle approval for Asia’s first Formula One™ street circuit respectively. Race preparation works have also ramped up in 2008, with the necessary road works completed in June and the ongoing installation of the lighting system progressing steadily on track.