Read the following news item... Courtesy www.formula1.com
Let there be light - illuminating the Singapore Grand Prix
This September’s inaugural Singapore Grand Prix will represent a major milestone in the history of Formula One racing. Not only will it be the first race to be held in the Asian city, it will also be the sport’s first-ever night-time event.
Drivers and viewers are set to make a journey of discovery together around the Singaporean streets during what will be a unique experience for all concerned. Behind-the-scenes, the realisation of the race, which will begin at 2000 hours local time, will also mark the culmination of months of preparation.
When the idea of a night race was first tabled, one of the biggest issues the organisers faced was that of lighting the 5.067-kilometre circuit. With over 40 years’ experience under their belt, specialists Valerio Maioli S.p.a. were handpicked by Formula One racing’s governing body, the FIA, to take on the challenge.
In next to no time, the Italian firm set to work designing a bespoke, state-of-the-art system to deliver optimal visibility for night-race conditions. The system they came up with fits the brief perfectly, minimizing glare and reflections from wet surfaces or spray from cars, by using lighting projectors strategically positioned around the track.
In terms of numbers, the logistical set up is understandably vast. During the event, 108,423 metres of power cables, 240 steel pylons and around 1,600 light projectors with a total power requirement of 3,180,000 watts will be used. With an illumination measurement of around 3000 lux, the lighting will be four times brighter than the lights at sports stadiums.
For the last couple of years we have seen oil prices hitting the deck in the US. All natural resources are getting exhausted at a rapid pace.... We are talking about green fuels, bio fuels and so on.. but practical implementation??? As of now nothing. We read statements that in the so called earth summits etc etc and all other so called international conferences that sustainable development is the order of the day... But then we can't help it if we exhaust all the resources can we?? Considering certain things everything has it own drawbacks.... In a sport where technology is the only thing that matters.. what if there is no fuel for the cars to run? Well it may be an extreme case but it is bound to happen soon ain't it? Every team have a limit of 30000km testing limit per season. Look at the amount of fuel spent on that. Even if we ignore all those as it is necessary for the sport is having a so called night race necessary? The reason "European television timings". More than 3 million watts of power to be wasted. What is wrong if a race is held in the day time.. Flood lights to cover the entire track and that too a temporary arrangement. If there is a race there will normally be a tourist influx no need for it to be a night race to attract crowds.. 12 twin power generators generating so much power. Many face power shortage and here we are spending millions of watts of power for a couple of days. And then what will they do with all those special bulbs etc after the race??? Put them in cold storage? And other countries are eagerly welcoming night races.. Atleast Australia opted out of it.. Also Bernie's efforts to bring F1 to many developing markets... Yes, it sounds fine but then what about those places with alread established tracks?? Won't they go waste? Spain already has Barcelona and Jerez tracks yet they are building a new street track at Valencia.. What a waste of money when there are so many people who are unable to even have square meals!!!
Drivers and viewers are set to make a journey of discovery together around the Singaporean streets during what will be a unique experience for all concerned. Behind-the-scenes, the realisation of the race, which will begin at 2000 hours local time, will also mark the culmination of months of preparation.
When the idea of a night race was first tabled, one of the biggest issues the organisers faced was that of lighting the 5.067-kilometre circuit. With over 40 years’ experience under their belt, specialists Valerio Maioli S.p.a. were handpicked by Formula One racing’s governing body, the FIA, to take on the challenge.
In next to no time, the Italian firm set to work designing a bespoke, state-of-the-art system to deliver optimal visibility for night-race conditions. The system they came up with fits the brief perfectly, minimizing glare and reflections from wet surfaces or spray from cars, by using lighting projectors strategically positioned around the track.
In terms of numbers, the logistical set up is understandably vast. During the event, 108,423 metres of power cables, 240 steel pylons and around 1,600 light projectors with a total power requirement of 3,180,000 watts will be used. With an illumination measurement of around 3000 lux, the lighting will be four times brighter than the lights at sports stadiums.
For the last couple of years we have seen oil prices hitting the deck in the US. All natural resources are getting exhausted at a rapid pace.... We are talking about green fuels, bio fuels and so on.. but practical implementation??? As of now nothing. We read statements that in the so called earth summits etc etc and all other so called international conferences that sustainable development is the order of the day... But then we can't help it if we exhaust all the resources can we?? Considering certain things everything has it own drawbacks.... In a sport where technology is the only thing that matters.. what if there is no fuel for the cars to run? Well it may be an extreme case but it is bound to happen soon ain't it? Every team have a limit of 30000km testing limit per season. Look at the amount of fuel spent on that. Even if we ignore all those as it is necessary for the sport is having a so called night race necessary? The reason "European television timings". More than 3 million watts of power to be wasted. What is wrong if a race is held in the day time.. Flood lights to cover the entire track and that too a temporary arrangement. If there is a race there will normally be a tourist influx no need for it to be a night race to attract crowds.. 12 twin power generators generating so much power. Many face power shortage and here we are spending millions of watts of power for a couple of days. And then what will they do with all those special bulbs etc after the race??? Put them in cold storage? And other countries are eagerly welcoming night races.. Atleast Australia opted out of it.. Also Bernie's efforts to bring F1 to many developing markets... Yes, it sounds fine but then what about those places with alread established tracks?? Won't they go waste? Spain already has Barcelona and Jerez tracks yet they are building a new street track at Valencia.. What a waste of money when there are so many people who are unable to even have square meals!!!
