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Title : F1 racing simulators more popular ahead of September Grand Prix
By :
Date : 06 April 2008 1757 hrs (SST)
URL : http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/339698/1/.html

SINGAPORE: From kids to students to adults, many in Singapore are taking to the F1 racing simulator for an adrenaline rush of speed before the city-state hosts its inaugural Grand Prix in September.

Entertainment establishments which have brought in the race simulators, such as Thumper, are drawing big crowds to their businesses.

Speaking of the race simulator, a member of the public said: "(You can) get an experience of speed, it's an approximation, but you still get a little bit of that."

David Chin, a partner at Thumper, said: "We are looking to enhance their (the customers') entertainment... by providing these events which are very exciting because they compete amongst themselves."

"They get a chance to win... prizes like tickets to the F1 and all that. So it's been very well received," he added.

From entertainment establishments to private clubs, more are looking at acquiring such machines.

Ken Knapp, a distributor of D-Box motion simulator, said: "(Sales of simulators have) picked up quite a bit, currently in town there are about 12 or 14 of these (machines). You are going to see them at different places. You will see a lot more of them as we move forward, getting closer to the F1 event itself."

"Singapore is also looking at new Go-Kart tracks and raceway. There would be a permanent structure here within Singapore. I think throughout the region, there is great interest in racing and that's for simulation as well," he added.

Even educational institutions are riding the wave.

Nanyang Polytechnic has designed a simulator modelled after the Singapore F1 track, and there are plans to let the public try it at upcoming road shows. - CNA/ac



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