AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF SINGAPORE
September 2018
Community newspaper since 1958
www.aasingapore.com
MCI (P) 197/03/2017
Living in Singapore.................. 1, 9-11 American Association.................... 2-5 Member Discounts............................ 3 CRCE & Business.............................. 6 Community News.......................... 7-8 That's Entertainment................. 12-19 Travel....................................... 14-15 Food & Dining........................... 20-21 Health & Wellness..................... 22-24 Education....................................... 25 President's Message....................... 26 What’s Happening......................... 27
Photo courtesy of AhLamb / iStock
THE NEED FOR SPEED LAH!ughs a-plenty at Singapore's premier comedy night venue. p12
By Bonnie Taylor “When I originally suggested the notion of Grand Prix racing under lights, people thought I had gone mad.” Bernie Eccleston, Formula One CEO
T Rimba Resort – A book is born in paradise. p14
Singapore's movie scene: from the glamorous to the downright bizarre. p18
he year: 2006. The question: could Singapore host the Formula One (F1) Grand Prix once again? With a spectator count of 60,000, the first Singapore Grand Prix was held in 1961. Crowds craned their necks from the stands on Upper Thomson Road to watch what would now be considered alarmingly unsafe cars career past, but the race was discontinued in 1974 as the circuit was deemed too treacherous. Would the government dare take a different view this time around?
filled with high-octane fumes. The F1 team envisioned a high-end event of motoring and sporting prowess, concerts and entertainment in both the city and on the circuit and, audaciously, at night.
down the pit lane with the refueling rig still attached, the team could only watch with open mouths. As a result, Massa incurred a double punishment of a drive-through penalty and dropping to last.
The initiative was, in fact, applauded by Prime Minister Lee Kwan Yew himself. Mr. Lee’s relentless work to ensure Singapore was a country of safety, security, efficiency and, moreover, a place to do business meant, with F1’s global following, the scent of opportunity to show a different side to the island hung in the air.
Preparation had to be seamless. Everyone was on board; from the Singapore Tourism Board to the Police and Civil Defence Forces, the Land Transport Authority to the National Parks Board, not to mention the numerous government agencies. Nothing was left to chance; the only unpredictable element was the race itself. Gauntlet laid down, contracts signed, acts booked, roads sealed off, Singapore poised; at 8pm on September 28, 2008, the world of F1 changed forever and the Lion City roared.
This, however, was not to be the most remarkable highlight of the race. Starting from the middle of the pack, Renault F1 driver Fernando Alonso was very vocal about his disappointment being seventh on the grid, stating, “I’m going to need a miracle”. It duly arrived, or so we thought. On the 14th lap, Nelson Piquet Jr. crashed at turn 17 meaning that the safety car would be brought out to bunch up the pack. Alonso’s usual strategy in mid-field was to start with a full tank and pit late, but on this occasion, he had done the opposite. As he resumed the race in fifth place and had no refueling stops to make, he comfortably secured first place by three seconds.
And so it happened. Not on a purposebuilt track, but in the heart of the city. With the magnificent skyline of Marina Bay as the backdrop, the streets of, what is now, one of Asia’s most prestigious of Grand Prix circuits were, again, to be
The excitement was palpable as the cars surged forwards. Marina Bay might be dubbed ‘The Monaco of the East’ but it was going to be considerably faster. Although Brazilian Ferrari driver Felipe Massa took pole position, it was team Ferrari that was first to crack under the pressure of the pace. Leading in the early stages, Massa was released too early from his first stop and as the car sped
Centennial Partners
Buses, boats and a big wheel – Singapore's quirky dining venues. p20
American Association of Singapore – Since 1917
The incident invoked fierce debate, dividing opinions of fans and sports pundits alike into the camps of ‘miracle’ and ‘mistake’. Continues on page 9