No Singapore F1 feedback?

[Lowner]

I'm very surprised that there has been no feedback about the Singapore F1 race. No images or comments at all.

I watched it on TV and noticed that the grandstands were caged in with the same kind of High Security I'd expect in a Prison and as used at Valencia.

I'd be interested in getting the views of those who went. Both from a photographers standpoint and as a general spectator.

[DC Fan]

From the standpoint of someone who only saw snippets of qualifying on TV between practice sessions while at another race track to take pictures several thousand miles away: heavy fencing is to be expected at a track with little runoff room and spectators in close proximity to speeding cars. What you encountered was probably required by insurance companies and the FIA, and anything different would mean a different track design. The road courses I've seen in recent years have plenty of open space, but they also have plenty of big, tall wheel fences.

[smcclelland]

Welcome to the new age of racing... circuits everywhere are erecting more and more catch fencing due to insurance and safety reasons. I was at the Montreal GP two years ago when Kubica's car shattered directly in front of us and nearly destroyed the Redbull car in the process. This year's Montreal GP they had lined the entire center of the hairpin with catch fencing and had double fenced more areas around the track.

[Lowner]

It used to be enough that event organisers printed "Motor Racing is dangerous, Spectators are warned.............." etc. on the tickets. Now telling us we could get killed is not enough?

I want to see a race, not be so safe that I am a) half a mile away, like Silverstone and/or b) behind safety fencing suitable for Colditz.

As a spectator I also want to see more than about 50 mts of track. If we must have more street circuits, and it seems we must because B.E. has spoken. I want them like Monaco, not Valencia. Please no more like Valencia, it was a nightmare from start to finish in every way.

[Tessa]

Well... that's why I prefer watching F1 on TV - you can see so much more. Yes, the real thing is nice, but not when your already narrow view is blocked by a forest of fences.

[smcclelland]

The big thing you lose watching racing on TV is the actual experience of being there. The smell of the fuel, the heat from the tires and track, roar of the engines and the crowds. I've learned to put my camera down when I go to big stuff like the Montreal GP and just enjoy the race, soak up the experience and not worry about cloning out fences or other spectators limbs :)

[Lowner]

I suspect that Singapore needs the same solution as Valencia.

That is, take away the heavy catch fencing, create vast gravel filled run off areas where the grandstands currently sit in their scaffold tube glory. Then build properly designed grandstands over them. The current set of overpaid idiots can then have their accidents underneath and we, the paying public can see without the race management worrying about court cases.

I'd imagine that, like Valencia, opportunities for photography at Singapore was limited?

[alvinpaul]

I'm very surprised that there has been no feedback about the Singapore F1 race. No images or comments at all.

I watched it on TV and noticed that the grandstands were caged in with the same kind of High Security I'd expect in a Prison and as used at Valencia.

I'd be interested in getting the views of those who went. Both from a photographers standpoint and as a general spectator.

Some F1 pictures for me to share :)

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=578231

[Cadwell]

Wait until you see what Stalag-Luft Donington turns out like... Oh sorry, there's me buying into the fantasy that there will actually be a British GP in 2010 :lol: At my age I should know better!

[Lowner]

Ah yes, Donnington.

Anyone know if theve got a) Planning permission yet OR b) Money to do it with since at least one of the main sources of that rare substance seems to have walked away.

Damon Hill seems to fancy having it ALL back (MotGP and F1). I'm sure Bernie will see it otherwise, even to the extent of paying for it himself as long as he could see a profit in it.