SingTel unveils simulator that replicates Singapore's F1 race
By Patwant Singh, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 22 April 2008 1937 hrs

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SINGAPORE: Title sponsor SingTel has announced a host of activities for the upcoming Singapore F1 race, among them a chance for everyone to experience the adrenaline rush of being in the driver's seat of a Formula One car.

To do that, SingTel has unveiled a simulator that the public can try for free. The SingTel Ultimate Race replicates the night race in great detail, and drivers get the added thrill of whizzing past iconic Singapore landmarks such as the Esplanade and City Hall.

As the cars are mounted on motion-enabled platforms, drivers experience every thrilling hairpin turn, skid, brake and crash while zooming down the actual Singapore street circuit at breakneck speeds.

The first simulator will be located at the telco's headquarters at Comcentre, while the second car will make its rounds around the island.

For those who prefer to experience the simulator in the comfort of their homes, the SingTel Ultimate Race has also been transformed into a PC game and can be downloaded from the www.singtelrace.com website.

The SingTel Ultimate Race Online is available for download from 23 April.

The manufacturers claim that the simulator is a first of its kind in the world and it does not come cheap, costing more than S$300,000.

In fact, the simulator is not a toy. F1 drivers use it to test various circuits.

Other activities planned include a contest to predict the winners of F1 races around the world, starting with the Turkish GP in early May and ending with the Singapore race.

There is also a game developed for mobile phone users and which can be played by more than one person.

In addition, there are the SingTel Grid Girls. Forty-eight of them will be selected by the public in a reality show on Channel 5. - CNA/vm/ir