Monday, September 29, 2008

2008 Formula 1 SingTel Singapore Grand Prix

I was initially not at all excited about the whole Formula 1 fever that has hit Singapore. It's just Formula 1. Sure, i have been enthusiastic about Japan GT Championships, mostly cause it's cars that are seen around town : 350z, 911s, Celicas, DC5s. But Formula 1 are a different breed of cars. Oh, before i forget, some of the drivers are pretty cute.

Kien offered to bring me to the Saturday's Qualifying Races. That one trip changed my opinion. The Singapore Skyline looked so pretty on screen. I have never seen Singapore looking that good. My fave part was the Padang stretch that the F1 cars zoom past, the Parliament House looks good... so did the Esplanade from the helicopter view. We had the pit grandstand tickets... right in view of Nico Rosburg's pit. We met up with Barry & Zen, who were also watching the Qualifying races, just a couple of blocks down from where we were. We had a couple of beers together. And we bumped into a few friends here and there. I must say that, the experience was nice. I never expected to have so much fun. Sure, the beer was expensive, so was the food. But hearing the high pitch sound of those engines zooming by you is an awesome feeling. And the way the cars zip by you. It's something different, and it's a street circuit compared to the closed circuits like Sepang and Shanghai. And what's more, this race is at night. The sound, the atmosphere, that spirit... all seemed to roll together very well.

Sorry guys, that i did not turn up to watch F1 together, as promised. But Kien was nice enough to extend his kind offer to bring me along on Sunday for the main race itself. It was a lil awkward at first, since it was with his family and a family friend. But we manage to hit it off pretty well. And that experience of being at the first F1 night race... unbelievable. Would i go again? It's leaning more towards a Yes.

That marks the end of my very exciting birthday month and the celebrations. It's been one heck of an incredible September month.

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