2015 FORMULA 1 SINGAPORE AIRLINE SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX

ABBEY: Another F1 season came in Singapore from September 18-20. We bought Bay Grandstand tickets for the whole 3 days and we saw some actions on Turn 18. The qualifying rounds for the Formula 1 cars was exciting as Sebastian Vettel finished a lap with 1 minute and 44 seconds. Though he didn't matched that record on Sunday night's race, he still proved that he is the champion of Marina Bay circuit. He managed to maintain the lead until the end.

For the concert line up, it was great. Pharell on Friday, Maroon 5 got the crowd singing and dancing on Saturday and Bon Jovi capped the event on Sunday.

Room for improvements and I hope Singapore Airline F1 committee will look into it.

1. Please open the track as soon as the race ended for the people to go to Padang stage. Bon Jovi was already on the middle of his concert when we arrived there.

2. When opening the track, I mean open the track in Turn 18 so the people can pass thru the Esplanade (under the bridge) just like the earlier years. What happened is that the people are routed to Esplanade bridge itself. And they have to go thru the fences or camera slots just to go in the concert ground. This is very disappointing. Adding to that the marshal is telling that that is not allowed. When he was asked where should the people go, he became silent.

3. Have Fanzone bands like the one when Singtel is the promoter. This will ensure that the ticket holder can enjoy both the race and the concert in the fanzone. This year, the patrons will have to decide if they will watch the race on their seats or wait for 7 hours for the concert in Padang just to get a good position.

4. Have more promotion/contest for ticket upgrades. The contest that I saw was only to have 1 pair of ticket to be upgraded, unlike other years where the all the tickets that you bought will be upgraded.

Hoping to get some improvements in future races. More power Singapore GP.

WILL: Nothing's gonna stop the roaring and revving machines of Singapore Grand Prix 2015. Yeah even haze can't stop people in merrymaking. 

This is my third time to watch this yearly phenomenal event here in Singapore and it just getting bigger and better. So what are the things that they made it more exciting for 2015? First of all is the list of main stage performers at Padang Stage. For three consecutive nights we were treated with famous singers from Hollywood. Pharrell Williams touched the stomping feet of teenagers. Maroon 5 make the girls scream and Bon Jovi makes our hands swayed up in the air. All generations were touched by F1 2015. 

How about the race? Not so many action as expected to Mercedes Benz. You can observe that Anti-Red Team is bored while they are watching Vettel leads the parade of racing cars. I think Vettel can drive in Singapore's Night Track even his eyes were closed. Haha!

On my third time to attend this, I assessed that I am more on to watch the actual race itself than to attend the concerts. Haha! I am converted now. 

Long Live Singapore GP. Hope to have an access again to Fan Stand by next year! :)

2015 Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix - Pit Lane Experience

ABBEY: This is the second time I went to the Pit Lane Experience. I got a pair of tickets from Singapore GP by choosing an icon and voila, I won. At 7:30 we headed to Gate 1 where a long queue keeps on growing. A couple of minutes later and we found ourselves inside and enjoying the Hawaiian dance from The Dancing Fire. The roaming performance and music of Fiesta Tropicale will keep you on the beat. 

On the Village stage, the Boys of the Band rendered the version of songs of The Beatles and Motown. It was a trip on the memory lane. After the break, this Michael Jackson impersonator really set the stage on fire. With his copy cat moves and resemblance of the King of pop, Dajiow won the hearts of his fans. Then its time to assemble for the garage experience. Bloco Loco welcomed all the guests with their upbeat thumping of the drums. People took snaps and videos while the teams showed their skills on changing the tires of the car. 

We're not lucky to have a sighting of the drivers themselves, but something magical happened to me. I was interviewed by one of Fox Sports anchor and Food Detective herself, Nikki Muller. :) 'Twas a great night.

WILL: Singapore GP is one of the most awaited event here in Singapore.. an annual festival. But hey there is more! Before the actual festivity, Singapore GP is holding different kinds of activities for the people. 

Abbey won a pair of ticket for the second time. Yes! He won in two consecutive year and what makes us keep coming back? Well, except of the F1 cars, you can witness how really fast when they change tires, performers that you can only see at Zone 1 and you can do all what you want at the Pit Lane for a photo shoot. Some poses as if they are inside a racing car, some lay down, and some just kisses the floor. Haha! 

It is really a fun thing to do before the race day starts. 

Head over at their website and be updated! See you all there next year!

2013 FORMULA 1 SINGTEL SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX

ABBEY: We watched Singapore F1 Grand Prix at Bay Grandstand. We bought 3-day tickets with an "early bird" discount. There's a lot to compare from previous year's Fanstand upgrade but still we enjoyed the night race with my in-laws. 

We were seated near Turn 18 and believe me there were lots of actions that happened on that turn. It was a sharp curve so the driver must manage to prepare the car going left else he'll bump in the barrier. Most of the cars that collided were Porsche and GP2 but with F1 you can feel the excitement because they use that turn to overtake one another. They were amazing. We also saw the performances of Funky Squad. 

First night in Padang was graced by Big Bang. It's kind of weird though as their opening number is a music video. Who would do that? We haven't seen The Killers as we skipped the second night. But Rihanna closed the weekend with a bang as people flocked, sand and dance to her music. Few things I noticed, Rihanna seems like being exorcise as she contorts during her numbers. Also I thought she's tired of her Philippine tour; she only sings whenever she wants then the backup does the rest. Good thing she wrapped up with Diamonds else she'll lose her sparkle on this blog :) 

We didn't watched Justin Bieber; well, for obvious reasons.

WILL: 4 days of F1? Oh darling, people just can't get enough right? 

Before, I begged Abbey to buy the 3 day tickets to see Maroon 5 and Katy Perry, now we bought the BayStand tix to grant the special request of my brother, now our main reason is to see the final competing season of Vettel.

Unlike the past year that clouds blocked the sunlight that gave few drops of rain, this event is really scorching hot. So hot that we only went there for Friday to see the opening and Sunday to checkout the who will be the winners.

F1 was so noisy in facebook, many giveaways were released and we are the lucky few to see the "The Rush" movie premiere (by the way, the tickets were given to my brother and sister-in-law). They also given a chance to for the people to walk on the race track before a night before the race, (but walking at the race track is nicer. You can check the wheel's rubber and skid marks). And they also handed a few ticket upgrades. 

I am happy that my brother really enjoyed this experience and he is really thankful for that one of his unforgettable event in his life. He likes Rihanna but after he saw the performance, we totally agreed not see her perform live, we will just listen to her recorded music. Haha!

I hope next year, it will be a bigger one, bigger artist.. Big as Beyonce! 


Thanks Singapore GP for bringing a wonderful feeling for my older brother. Til next year!

2012 Formula 1 Singtel Singapore Grand Prix (Fanzone Winner)

ABBEY: So much had happened before the first of the race; bought early bird ticket at 178 per person, the tickets were upgraded from Zone 4 walkabout to Fan Stand at Pit Straight, and got a Fanzone wristband for Katy Perry concert. 

This is my first time to watch the Grand Prix since I set my feet on Singapore. Excitement rushed on me as the Gate 1 opened on the first day. I went on Fanvision kiosk to get our complimentary Fan Friday gadget. This is an electronic device that lets you view the live feed from the circuit park and it also shows the statistics on the race as well as what the audience says on Twitter. Then I took a snap of 3D artist Leon Keer. His drawing is awesome. You're like into the picture itself. I also scout our designated seat which is close to start/finish line. We were located on Turn 23 of the circuit.

Security on the 3-day race is tight but it doesn't give any inconvenience on my experience. Food and beverage kiosks were strategically place on each zone like Hard Rock Cafe, Ottoman Kebab and Grill, Pitstopper, Quiznoz and Shiraz. We've also seen roving performances from the Vegas girls and magician at Zone 1. All attendees were in high spirits as the engines revved and thr race started. It only rained once on the race duration but the show must go on. The bleachers became more and more occupied until the final race. But before that the drivers had a parade riding on vintage cars. Sebastian Vettel won the Singapore leg but Fernando Alonso is still the leading driver. We invaded the track after the final race to get in Katy Perry's concert in time. We didn't let the opportunity pass to take some pics on the checkered lane. The experience we had is great and we're hoping to be part again next year.

WILL: I am still breathing after 3 days adrenaline pumping F1 race. This month is full of blessings, blessings that we cannot contain, blessings that is very unexpected and one of those is when Abbey won a ticket upgrade, from Gate 4 walkabout ticket worth $173 to All-Access gates and Pit Grandstand ID priced $1288. Gosh, when Abbey saw that congratulatory email, he can't help it but to check every other hour on Singapore GP Facebook page. 

      To tell you honestly, I only asked Abbey to bought those tix because of the concert, Maroon 5 and Katy Perry and the fact that this is the last year of 5-year contract of Singapore GP to hold that event. Do not get me wrong, I love cars, I love racing, I love the sweet revving of its engines but what matter most for me is to see the performers. So when Abbey won the contest, I immediately checked all the things that must learn before the fast cars race in front of me. 

      As the 1st day came, it rained but the SGP never stopped the excited people to see the Porsche skids their wheels on slippery Singapore circuit. It was almost dinner time when I go there so Abbey and I hit the food stalls and chose to ate falafel. After the preliminary, GP cars and after our ears was baptized by an alarming sound of the race cars, I asked Abbey if we can go to the Singapore Flyer to have a aerial shot of the blazing track. As we have a blue ID, this is free. But before crossing, Abbey told me that we must return first the fanVision. When I heard that, I am so sad, that was a great piece, I can hear the commentaries and see the updated statistics of the race. We have that free for a day only, its $90 when you will rent it for 3 days. We went to Flyer and as our cabin starts to accelerate on top, I immediately sat to the best place I can have the best shot. So, so, good. This is a chance for a lifetime for us. Singapore GP, we are really grateful for this. I ask Abbey that we need to head home since I have office for Saturday. 

      Day two! Abbey is very early to queue and to get a fanzone ticket for Maroon 5. As early as 11am but then the gate 4 was opened 230pm. Long wait was rewarded. Haha. We go out from Gate 4 then we go to Gate 1 for us to see the race and have some complimentary tattoo. :) after  8pm, we went to Hawker Village for dinner. We bought subs at Quiznos and sat down to the grass inside the Fanzone in front of the big screen. There we wait for Bananarama and Maroon 5 to perform. 

      Final day, third day! 4pm we arrived the place and really concentrated to see all the racing cars burning all their wheels onto the pavement. I am really delighted to see all of them at my front changing tires and waiting for the go signal to run up their engines to the fullest. This is really an event that I cannot forget in my life. I internalize all the humming sounds of the engine, the skids of the burning wheels and the popping of champagnes. Congrats to Vettel for winning again here ing Singapore. He is really an awesome driver. He is one with his machine. After the champagne was blasted, we conquered the race track, took some photos  and tan our way to see Katy Perry at the Padang Stage. 

      Again, Singapore GP thank you so much! We will never forget this and we will tell this tale to everyone. :) We are so blessed. Buy your ticket for 2013 Singapore GP now, Avril Lavigne for Day 1 concert? hehe.. I hope so...