Singapore, 2 September 2012 – Title sponsor of the FORMULA 1™ Singtel Singapore Grand Prix for the fifth year, Singapore Telecommunications (Singtel) continues to bring the F1™ race experience closer to Singaporeans with their ‘F1™ for Everyone’ initiative. This year, Singtel teamed up with race promoter, Singapore GP to organise a series of exciting race-themed roadshows across Singapore, culminating in the grand finale roadshow, which took place on 1 and 2 September. The event was officiated by Mr S Iswaran, Minister in Prime Minister’s Office and Second Minister for Home Affairs & Trade and Industry.
“I welcome the growing number of F1™-related lifestyle events that are being held in our heartlands as well as in our entertainment precincts. This year, the private and people sectors have made a concerted effort to bring the F1™ buzz even closer to the community. I hope that more organisations will come forward to collaborate, like Singtel and Singapore GP together with F1™ in Schools, the Singapore Sports Council and People’s Association, to share the excitement of F1™ with even more Singaporeans,” said Mr S Iswaran.
The grand finale roadshow witnessed an exciting line-up of champions for this race season, including the top three 2012 Singtel Grid Girls as voted by Singaporeans and Singapore’s fastest electric go-kart race car driver, who wins a pair of passes to meet the F1™ drivers in person at an autograph session. The top 10 fastest Singtel F1™ simulator drivers also walked away with prizes. The unveiling of the all-new FORMULA 1™ Singtel Singapore Grand Prix trophy also took place. In addition, roadshow goers witnessed the high-octane race among students for the ‘F1™ in Schools’ Fastest Car Challenge as well as an exciting showdown to be the fastest electric go-kart racer.
To bring F1™ fun to everyone, roadshow goers were treated to entertaining carnival activities such as race-themed balloon sculptures, stick-on tattoos, caricature-drawings, a dynamic performance by Bloco Singapura drum crew, colourful stilt-walkers and a live screening of the Belgian Grand Prix in true high-definition and 3D.
Singtel reaches the community with an F1™ experience for everyone
Bringing the exhilaration of F1™ to everyone across the island is at the heart of Singtel’s mission. “It has been heartening to see Singaporeans experience the speed and the glamour of F1™ at our various roadshows. To reach out to everyone, including families, youths and people with special needs, we invited students from APSN Tanglin School to experience the electric go-karts at the first roadshow. Following the success of our first two roadshows, we wanted to continue bringing amazing experiences with even more adrenaline pumping race-themed activities at our final roadshow,” said Mr Allen Lew, Country Chief Officer and CEO, Group Digital Life of Singtel.
Youth and schools at the centre of attention with F1™ in Schools
Displaying finesse on the circuit, students from the ‘F1™ in Schools’ programme tried their hand at Singapore’s first ever electric go-kart experience in a bid to clock the fastest race time. ‘F1™ in Schools’ is an international competition where school children aged nine to 19 design, manufacture and race their miniature cars.
In another thrilling speed race but on a much smaller track, students put their self-made gas-powered miniature F1™ cars to the test in an exciting time-based competition. In addition, the public enjoyed their version of the “mini” race, setting off gas-powered miniature F1™ cars in a bid to achieve the fastest possible reaction timings within 0.18 of a second to win attractive prizes.
A Public Choice: Top Three 2012 Singtel Grid Girls
This is the first time that the top three Singtel Grid Girls have been selected based purely on public SMS and online voting. The top three girls, who were crowned at the event, will enjoy the honour and once-in-a-lifetime chance to hold the Singapore, Formula One™ and Singapore GP flags at the Singapore Grand Prix.
The Top Grid Girl this year is 21-year old Ashvin Sandhu, an avid F1™ fan who has watched almost every race over the past few years. In second place is 21-year old Emily Chia, a lover of fast cars, and in third place is 23-year old Esther Leong who thrives on the adrenaline of the race and extreme sports.
Unveiling the new FORMULA 1™ Singtel Singapore Grand Prix trophy design
Singtel unveiled a new FORMULA 1™ Singtel Singapore Grand Prix trophy, and roadshow goers were the first to view it. Crafted by local designer Nathan Yong, the trophy resembles the interlocking branches and leaves of the laurel wreath, traditionally worn as a symbol of victory at sporting events in ancient Greece. The circular shape of the trophy also represents Speed, Connection and Unity, symbolising the coming together of top international drivers in the Formula 1™ races around the world.
Embracing the F1™ race through Technology
To encourage more people to embrace the F1™ experience both on and off the track, Singtel and Singapore GP have launched two new applications, for iPhone and Android users, to be available on the App Store and Google Play. The Singtel application is a social app that acts as a guide to inform F1™ fans of the exciting activities taking place this race season. In addition, app users can share their favorite F1™ moments, activities and photos with their friends. The Singapore GP app meant for serious F1™ fans, has the latest news on the 2012 FORMULA 1 SINGTEL SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX and will keep users up to speed with the current driver and team standings, allowing them to take part in Singapore GP contests as well as purchase tickets to the night race.
