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SINGAPORE : Although Singapore has received the green light for the F1 race, it is still a long road ahead before the chequered flag.
Experts Channel NewsAsia spoke to listed some technical challenges to overcome, like testing the circuit and getting personnel to man the race.
Now that the paper work is done, the legwork begins to get the race off the ground.
The next 16 months will be spent solving a host of technical challenges.
These include resurfacing of roads, setting up pit areas and barricades, and other logistical requirements.
But one area of importance is the safety of drivers and fans, as the event is likely to be held at night.
Steve Slater, F1 TV Commentator, said, "There have been concerns...about power supply, about what happens if it rains...those are all things that drivers (are concerned with) and safety obviously is paramount; the drivers will work out, they will do tests at another track sometime through the later stages of this year..."
Manpower is another area Singapore will have to boost, especially marshals and safety officers.
Tan Teng Lip, President, Singapore Motor Sports Association, said, "We are doing it for the first time, an event like this, we would need marshals and officials and all of them have to be trained and also licensed."
The Association will also engage the help of other race organisers to train the local manpower.
Medical staff will also have to trained, to deal with motor sports-related injuries, like burns and trauma.
All these may make for a bumpy road ahead, but everyone is gearing up for the ride of their lives come 2008. - CNA/ms
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