Almost 1,000 volunteer race officials go through paces before F1 race

SINGAPORE: Exactly a week before the world’s first Formula 1 night race kicks off in Singapore, almost 1,000 volunteer race officials went through some of their final paces on Sunday.

The practice session was an all—important one to give the volunteer officials and marshals a taste of the action, especially since racing is fairly new in Singapore.

Deputy chief communications, Ernest Kong Meng Wai, said, "We went to Australia twice to get a feel of race management and from there we transfer the experience to 1,000 race marshals because we can’t send 1,000 race marshals to Australia."

Unlike a number of other sporting events, F1 races tap on a large pool of volunteers.

This was the first time the volunteers, who had been going through their paces in individual groups, got together. The next time the volunteers will be together is on the race track just a few days before Race Day.

Almost 3,000 people from all walks of life and from seven countries applied online for the chance to be near their F1 heroes. Only about 950 made the final cut.

On Race Weekend, they will do anything from registration, to clearing the track, to giving signals.

Flag marshal Simon Nichols said, "A night grand prix could have a lot of action, especially if it rains because the cars will be spinning everywhere... (including to the) front—row seats."

And it is the chance of getting front—row seats that got experienced firemen and doctors all fired up.

Deputy chief fire marshal, Mohd Salleh Bin Mohd Shariff, said, "Whether it’s night, whether it’s day, (or) what kind of weather there is, if there is a fire, we have to douse it. If there is a person trapped, we have to rescue him. Basically in terms of rescue, it’s the same. (The) only thing is, only the vehicles (race cars) are moving fast."

But it will not just be the race cars that move fast.

On the medical front, there will be two teams — one for spectators and the other for drivers — with special fast—moving rescue vehicles in the event of a crash.

Assistant chief medical officer, Dr Quek Lit Sin, said, "Firstly, fast intervention vehicles with trauma specialists will be brought to the scene as fast as possible and following that, if there is any extrication that needs to be done, an extrication team, which is a specialised team that can pull a driver out safely, (will be available). Following that, ambulances will arrive and transport (the injured) to (the) medical centre."

One thing is for sure — it looks like the months of training and time taken are finally going to reap dividends as the F1 race here enters the final phase.

— CNA/yt

Source: ChannelNewsAsia via Yahoo!News

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Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved.

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