More high octane action is headed Singapore's way, once organisers of the V8 Supercars close their deal.
Its management team is on a fact-finding mission in Singapore, which it considers the most important market in Asia. If successful, they would like to stage a race as early as November 2012.
Tony Cochrane, Chairman of V8 Supercars, said: "Singapore is really the perfect hub for us in this part of Asia. There is obviously a lot of expats who live in Singapore. It has great accessibility from Australia, well over 120 flights a week from Australia.
"So we know that our event here will bring a huge Australian crowd up, so it will be a really great tourism driver for the government."
If all goes to plan, Singapore will be the third overseas stop, after Abu Dhabi and New Zealand, in the current 14-round series. The other 12 races are currently staged in different Australian cities - on street circuits and dedicated tracks.
The track around the F1 Pit Building, extending towards the Republic Boulevard and Republic Avenue, is a possible location. Unlike F1, a shorter 2.2 kilometres is required for the V8, meaning fewer road closures and disruptions.
Other possible sites include the area around Changi Exhibition Centre and a heartlands venue at a yet-to-be decided site. The V8 team said once the Changi Motorsports Hub is ready, they would then shift the race to that venue.
Cost-wise, the event is also more manageable, with an estimated budget of S$15 million for the entire race. Organisers are confident to pack in about 50,000 spectators a day, over three days. Fans can also better identify with the cars, as these are modified stock models.
Teh Leong, the Singapore representative for V8 Supercars, said: "They are looking at a whole spectrum of events plus activities. That will include like training schools, promoting activities among the Singaporean motor enthusiasts, and also using Singapore as a platform for Asian market."
The team has already met the Singapore Motorsports Association and over the next few days, will meet representatives from the Singapore Sports Council, the Singapore Tourism Board, and potential sponsors. They are hoping to wrap up all the negotiations within the next three months so that it will leave them enough time to make preparations for next year's race.
Its management team is on a fact-finding mission in Singapore, which it considers the most important market in Asia. If successful, they would like to stage a race as early as November 2012.
Tony Cochrane, Chairman of V8 Supercars, said: "Singapore is really the perfect hub for us in this part of Asia. There is obviously a lot of expats who live in Singapore. It has great accessibility from Australia, well over 120 flights a week from Australia.
"So we know that our event here will bring a huge Australian crowd up, so it will be a really great tourism driver for the government."
If all goes to plan, Singapore will be the third overseas stop, after Abu Dhabi and New Zealand, in the current 14-round series. The other 12 races are currently staged in different Australian cities - on street circuits and dedicated tracks.
The track around the F1 Pit Building, extending towards the Republic Boulevard and Republic Avenue, is a possible location. Unlike F1, a shorter 2.2 kilometres is required for the V8, meaning fewer road closures and disruptions.
Other possible sites include the area around Changi Exhibition Centre and a heartlands venue at a yet-to-be decided site. The V8 team said once the Changi Motorsports Hub is ready, they would then shift the race to that venue.
Cost-wise, the event is also more manageable, with an estimated budget of S$15 million for the entire race. Organisers are confident to pack in about 50,000 spectators a day, over three days. Fans can also better identify with the cars, as these are modified stock models.
Teh Leong, the Singapore representative for V8 Supercars, said: "They are looking at a whole spectrum of events plus activities. That will include like training schools, promoting activities among the Singaporean motor enthusiasts, and also using Singapore as a platform for Asian market."
The team has already met the Singapore Motorsports Association and over the next few days, will meet representatives from the Singapore Sports Council, the Singapore Tourism Board, and potential sponsors. They are hoping to wrap up all the negotiations within the next three months so that it will leave them enough time to make preparations for next year's race.
