SINGAPORE : Singapore has tested a small section of the lights that will be used for the country's first ever Formula One race in September.

On Saturday evening, a part of St Andrew's Road was lit up to simulate daylight.

It took about 8 to 10 minutes for the lights - which measure about 3000 Lux - to charge up.

Once fully fired-up, it was as bright as daylight, or four times the brightness of the National Stadium.

Two trusses measuring 32 metres each were used to hang 16 lights or lighting projectors.

The lights were installed four metres apart at a height of 10 metres.

S Iswaran, Minister of State, Trade and Industry, said: "This lighting part is the crucial part of the process as you can imagine. We want to make sure that the lighting system is done in a manner that is safe for the drivers and the spectators and at the same time, one that enhances the experience for everyone."

The man behind the whole set-up is lighting expert Valerio Maiolli.

He gave the assurance that driving at high speeds under these lights is safe, even if it were to rain heavily.

Mr Maiolli said: "If you are on the track like the driver, you don't see the rain, if you are on the grandstand you see the rain."

A total of 1,500 lighting projectors will be used for the five kilometre Singapore circuit.

The lights will be powered by 12 twin-power generators.

Another first was also revealed - in the place of regular flags, electronic flags flashed onto an LED panel, will make its debut for the world's first F1 night race.

Installation of the lights will be carried out in phases starting end-May, and is expected to be completed by the first week of September.

The public can view the test lights from Sunday till 6th of April.

These will be on from 7pm till midnight. - CNA/ch