S'pore Grand Prix 2019 attracted 268,000 people, hailed as a logistical success for 12 straight years

The process has become efficient.

Belmont Lay | September 23, 2019, 06:40 PM

Race promoters Singapore GP announced on Sunday, Sep. 23 that the 12th edition of the Formula 1 night race drew in 268,000 spectators to the Marina Bay Street Circuit over the three-day weekend.

Record number

This has set the record for the second highest attendance in the race’s history.

And this was despite the haze hitting unhealthy levels on Sunday.

The highest attendance of 300,000 was recorded in the race’s inaugural year in 2008.

Attendees have been coming for the event to either watch the race or go to the concerts.

Hailed for being efficient

The annual event's magnitude was not lost on one foreign commentator.

Jake Michaels, an associate editor of ESPN, wrote about how blown away he was with F1 in Singapore as it presented what was essentially an annual logistical nightmare-turned-showpiece, and he detailed briefly the process that takes place.

Rival to Monaco Grand Prix

When Formula One first ventured to Singapore in 2008, the event was the sport's inaugural night race.

The Singapore Grand Prix was touted to rival the famed Monaco Grand Prix as the crown jewel in F1's ever-expanding calendar.

The magnitude of the annual event is mind-boggling.

Four months before the actual race weekend, starting in June, a team of around 30,000 people start to prep for what could be the country's busiest week of the year in September.

The first task is to erect concrete barriers and fencing around the 5.073-kilometer circuit.

A polymer binder adhesive must be added to the tarmac to allow for increased grip.

Footbridges serving as walkways over the track are constructed.

Thousands of grandstand seats, portable toilets and ticketing booths are brought in as well.

There's over 100km of cable snaking its way around the circuit to help power 1,600 industrial-strength floodlights.

This is in compliance with FIA (Federation Internationale de l'Automobile) regulations.

The lighting at the track must be four times brighter than what you'd see at a regular sporting stadium, or 3,000-lux levels.

It is almost as bright as day during race nights.

With everything in place and ready without a hitch on race day, road closures begin only on Wednesday, two days before the first practice session on Friday.

F1 attracts foreigners

Since 2008, Singapore has welcomed more than 490,000 foreign visitors for the Formula One race.

Jean Ng, Singapore Tourism Board's executive director, told ESPN: "About 40 percent of total racegoers are foreigners."

"From that, the race has generated more than US$1.4 billion in incremental tourism receipts for Singapore."

Singapore has a high room occupancy all year, at around 80 percent citywide..

And when the Formula One rolls around, it spikes to fully booked.

The Singapore Grand Prix is locked in until 2021.