SINGAPORE: The Formula One race coming to Singapore in September is all the rage. But many, especially the younger generation, might not know Singapore had a rich racing history in the 1960s, spanning two decades.

All this will be captured in a book by Eli Solomon who plans to call it “Snakes and Devils — A History of the Singapore Grand Prix".

The book which will be launched in June will contain footage and hundreds or rare photographs, collected over five years.

The book was originally meant to cover the Asian scene but with F1 coming to Singapore, the 43—year—old stockbroker, decided to focus on the Lion City’s racing history.

In fact, Singapore is the only city among the new F1 races on the calendar this decade, with such a racing history.

Solomon said: "You had spectator counts of about 100,000 over a weekend, which is quite enormous for a street circuit, and logistically it would have been a nightmare.

"The Johor Grand Prix required 12 miles of fencing, and that is an enormous amount of material, and so it would be with the Singapore Grand Prix as well."

Solomon was a regular spectator at the old Singapore GP which lasted 13 years.

The author, who owns two single—seater racing cars, currently races overseas in places like Australia and New Zealand.

He hopes to revive the racing scene once the permanent track in Changi is built.

In fact a few of the cars that raced in the original Singapore GP are currently still involved in the sport overseas. —CNA/vm

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