Singapore's Formula 1 (F1) Night Race may have been the world's first F1 night race, and the first in Asia to be held on a street circuit, when it began in 2008. But it was not Singapore's earliest grand prix.

The first grand prix actually took place in the 1960s, even before Singapore's independence.

Like the present F1 Night Race, the Singapore Grand Prix in 1961 was internationally renowned, and helped to attract tourists to the island.

The event had races for both cars and motorcycles, and was also known for its dangerous circuit.

In conjunction with tourism campaign

1961 was the year that saw the government launch the "Visit Singapore - The Orient Year" tourism campaign to showcase the country to the world.

According to then-Minister for Culture S. Rajaratnam, there was a desire to “share with other people the pleasure they would have in visiting Singapore and observing the country and its way of life”.

The grand prix, among other sporting events, was held to support of this tourism campaign.

First Grand Prix in 1961

Today, F1 tickets can go up to thousands of dollars, but back then grandstand seats were only priced at $9 each. Times were different though, and $9 was considered a small fortune in 1961.

The grand prix ran from morning to evening, with over 200 racers from Malaya, Japan, Indonesia and Thailand participating.

One special feature of the Singapore Grand Prix was that spectators were free to walk along and watch the race from any part of the perimeter of the circuit. This was unlike most international motor racing events of the time.

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Known for its dangerous circuit

The grand prix was held on a temporary street circuit created from public roads that could be closed off without causing major traffic disruptions, much like the modern F1 Night Race.

A three-mile circuit (4.8km) along the old and new Upper Thomson Roads was used.

The circuit had sandbag obstacles, four bends called "snakes", as well as a rounded V-bend called the "Devil's Bend".

Before the race, some drivers found this circuit too dangerous because of the cracked and bumpy road surfaces, but the government assured that these would be fixed.

Deaths and tragedy

Despite the road surfacing works, however, the treacherous circuit route claimed seven lives in 11 years.

Singapore racing ace Lionel Chan, dubbed “Speed King”, was among them. He died after suffering severe head and body injuries in a crash.

In 1973, the Singapore Sports Council announced their decision to discontinue the annual Singapore Grand Prix, citing safety concerns as the official reason.

The motor racing tradition in Singapore was only revived in 2008 with the F1 night race, marking new beginnings for motor racing (and tourism).

Top photo from Newspaper SG and NAS.

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