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1961 to 1973:
High-speed races, including the first Singapore Grand Prix, took place at the Thompson Road circuit. But the Government felt they promote reckless driving, coupled with the fatalities during 1972 and 1973 races as well as the hassle to close off the roads for the events led the Government to stop all races.
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1990:
The Singapore Tourist Promotion Board (STPB) made a bid to host a leg of the F1 Grand Prix. In July, Bernie Ecclestone, then vice-president of motor racing's international governing body Fisa, said that negotiations are underway for a GP to be staged in 1992. A 5km track is earmarked to be built near the Bedok army camp for $20 million.
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1991:
Hotel and property tycoon Ong Beng Seng managed to secure a deal to host an F1 race here. However, the 126-hectare race-track site was used to build the Laguna National Golf and Country Club instead.
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April 2005:
Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew admitted that it was "a stupid decision" not to build an F1 track here in Singapore.
He said, "I learnt a lesson and Im telling my younger chaps, look, pay attention to all this, this is what will make Singapore buzz.
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March 2006:
F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone said he would consider giving Singapore the chance to host one of the races during the 2008 season. He suggested a street course – like the one in Monaco, would be most suitable for the Republic.
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April 2006:
Minister for Trade and Industry Lim Hng Kiang said the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is "actively looking" at a proposal to bring an F1 race here.
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January 2007:
Two groups – one led by Ong Beng Seng and another by the SUTL Group's managing director Arthur Tay - were named as possible candidates to organise the race. Leading circuit designer Herman Tilke sketched a 5km preliminary street-circuit route.
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5th March 2007:
Minister of State for Trade and Industry S. Iswaran mentioned that the Government is taking a "serious look" at the Republic hosting an F1 race.
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12th March 2007:
Ecclestone stopped in Singapore, en route to the Melbourne Grand Prix, to discuss the possibility of the Republic hosting a race.
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31st March 2007:
Mark Webber, driver for Red Bull Racing team, checked out the proposed circuit.
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7th April 2007:
Ecclestone, in Sepang for the Malaysian GP, told The New Straits Times, "The Malaysian GP would probably remain at the beginning of the season, while the Singapore race will probably be at the end." Malaysian GP organizers were reportedly concerned about the possibility of a Singaporean GP and have expressed their interest and capability in hosting a night race as well.
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24th April 2007:
The STB hired former army general Lawrence Leong to explore the possibility of staging an F1 race.
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3rd May 2007:
Singapore GP Pte Ltd is registered with an issued capital of $20 million. The shareholding companies are Komoco, Ong's car- distribution unit, and Reef Enterprises, one of his holding companies. Its officers include Komoco boss Teo Hock Seng, Colin Syn, president of Hard Rock Cafe, which is run by Ong's Hotel Properties, and Michael Roche, a director at Lushington, an Ong company that brings in international artistes.
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11th May 2007:
Official announcement of Singapore Grand Prix 08. Press conference was held with the Minister of State for Trade and Finance announcing the staging of Singapore Grand Prix starting in 2008. Mr Ong Beng Seng and Singapore Tourism Board' chief executive and deputy chairman Lim Neo Chian were both present.
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31st August 2007:
Work began for S$33 million pit building, and the target date of completion is 31st May 2008. The gross floor area is estimated to be 18,000 square metres, with a open roof terrace for additional viewing space |
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28th September 2007:
Singapore obtained an in-principal approval of circuit by the FIA, with the exact confirmation of the circuit to be done only weeks before the race itself.
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