Formula One organisers: We did consider Earth Hour

Today Online 5 Apr 08;

Letter from Muhamad Rostam bin Umar
Director, Communications, Singapore Tourism Board
Jonathan Hallett
Media and Communications Director, Singapore GP

We refer to "Why were Formula One lights tested during Earth Hour?" (April 1) and thank Patrick Wong Fook Seng for his views.

With less than six months to the race date, Singapore is committed to ensuring that all systems are in place for the successful staging of the world's first F1 night race.

The lighting system is an integral part of the race infrastructure, not least because it will be used for the first time ever in an F1 race during the Singapore event from Sept 26 to 28.

It is especially important to continually assess the system on location since the safety of drivers, marshals and spectators depends on proven reliability.

In organising the lighting system demonstration, we had taken Earth Hour into consideration and thus planned for the lights to be turned on at 7.30pm. We had the lights switched off as soon as it was possible, at 8.15pm.

We could not have started the demonstration earlier as it would not have been dark enough for the consultants to fully evaluate the lighting system.

Alternative dates and times for the lighting demonstration were also considered, but due to various considerations including the availability of the venue for the lighting demonstration and the tight schedule of the lighting consultant, this was the best available time.

The outcome of the lighting set-up was better than we had anticipated. We have been able to collect important data over the last few days.

As a result, the lighting engineers advised that the lights will need to be switched on only from 7.30pm to 10pm from Thursday to Sunday this week.

These measures are taken to ensure that come race day, Singapore will present a safe and unique F1 race that all of Singapore can all be proud of.

Lights were switched off as soon as possible
Straits Times 5 Apr 08;

WE REFER to Tuesday's letter, 'F1 light-up makes mockery of Earth Hour' and thank Mr Kelvin Tan Kheng Liang for his views.

With less than six months to the race date, Singapore is committed to ensuring that all systems are in place for the successful staging of the world's first Formula One night race. The lighting system is an integral part of the race infrastructure, not least because it will be used for the first time ever in a Formula One race during the Singapore event from Sept 26 to 28.

It is especially important to assess the system on location continually since the safety of drivers, marshals and spectators depends on proven reliability.

In organising the lighting system demonstration, we had taken Earth Hour into consideration and planned for the lights to be turned on at 7.30pm. The lights were switched off as soon as it was possible, at 8.15pm. We could not have started the demonstration earlier as it would not have been dark enough for the consultants to fully evaluate the lighting system.

Alternative dates and times for the lighting demonstration were also considered, but this was the best available time, due to considerations including the availability of the venue and the lighting consultant's tight schedule.

The lights are set up for a week not only for public display as Mr Tan pointed out, but more importantly for the consultants to fine tune the system before installation around the circuit begins next month.

The outcome of the lighting set-up has been better than we first anticipated. We have been able to collect important data over the past few days. As a result, the lighting engineers have advised that the lights will only need to be switched on from 7.30pm to 10pm from Thursday until tomorrow. These measures are taken to ensure that come race day, Singapore will present a safe and unique Formula One race that all Singaporeans can be proud of.

Muhamad Rostam Umar
Director, Communications
Singapore Tourism Board

Jonathan Hallett
Media and Communications Director
Singapore GP