Is it this week end?

Is it this week end? -AsiaOne.com

More than half of S'poreans polled say they don't know F1 weekend starts today.

Sun, Sep 28, 2008
The New Paper

THE world's first F1 night race hits town today.

With all the hype and publicity surrounding it, you would think most Singaporeans would know that.

But no, many don't.

The New Paper polled 100 people, ranging from one-roomers to those who live in landed property, and more than half (52 per cent) did not know the event starts today. It ends with the actual race on Sunday.

Some of them gave different dates, going into next month.

But can people be blamed for not knowing when the race takes place if they are not interested in the first place?

After all, only 29 per cent said they were excited about the event.

The most common reasons they gave were that they were not interested in motorsports and that tickets were too costly.

Three-day passes for seated viewing of the race range from $248 to $2,588 for the seated section.

Student Pearlynn Ang, 17, said: 'Tickets are too expensive. F1 is for foreigners and people who like fast cars.'

Undergraduate Jinesh Lalwani, 23, agreed.

'F1 is by rich people for rich people. Besides, it's causing cab fares to go up around the race area.'

SMRT and ComfortDelgro taxis will charge a $5 location surcharge for trips from certain areas in the vicinity on the nights of the race.

But, while F1 racing may seem to be a rich man's sport, it does not seem to strike a chord even with higher-income Singaporeans.

Out of the 20 respondents who live in condominiums and landed property, more than half (65 per cent) said they had no interest in F1 racing.

Still, despite the lack of interest, 63 per cent said they may catch the race live on television.

Retiree Foong Lai Meng, 70, said: 'I will watch it on TV because my children will be watching it.'

Some said they will watch the race on TV because it is free.

Mr Ravishangar Kumarchandran, 39, a nursing home worker, said: 'I prefer to watch it on TV because it gives a much better view.'

A few are still hoping to catch a bit of the action at the site, though.

A 28-year-old bank officer, who gave her name only as Ms Chia, is thinking of calling up hotels around the race area to ask if they have last-minute offers.

'If it's $600 to $800 for the night, I might consider it. It will be the first time I'm watching an F1 race,' she said.

Mr Muhammad Suffyan, 26, a wealth management consultant, is watching the race with four of his family members.

They bought three-day walkabout passes, paying $168 a ticket.

'I'm excited because I get to finally watch it live. My whole family can't wait. When you watch things live, you get to be around like-minded people, so you get caught up in the euphoria,' he said.

This article was first published in The New Paper on September 26, 2008.

I think I know why Singaporeans don't know/care that its the F1 this week end.
1) They don't want to get reminded about the speeding fine they got last week.
2) They are still in hospital from food(milk) poisoning. Class C wards don't have TV leh.
3) They already paid for the football channel so better watch or else "loo gee".
4) Coz Gahmen scared Dr Chee go there and protest so never tell people got GP.
5) No money to buy newspaper coz price increase so how to know got GP?
6) Busy trying to hunt down where the sexy blogger's pictures and videos are. Also can see "Cars"(legs) mah.
7) Working night shift, know also cannot watch.
8) Got fireworks anot?
9) Parking in town so expensive. Taxi also got surcharge.
10) Teacher always ask us to sit down and shut up so I don't dare to ask if it's the GP this week.