Singapore for the Grand Prix
Discussion
williamp said:
Hi all,
Were going to Singapore for the Grand Prix this September. Cant wait! Watching from the Bay grandstand.
Just wondering if anyone has any tips for the City or the track. Is there a good car culture in Singapore?
There are a number of threads on Singapore & the GP so maybe have a look through:Were going to Singapore for the Grand Prix this September. Cant wait! Watching from the Bay grandstand.
Just wondering if anyone has any tips for the City or the track. Is there a good car culture in Singapore?
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=17...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=18...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=18...
I'm not sure what you mean by car culture but there are a lot of rich people in Singapore who have some very expensive cars. Hang around the right hotels & you might see a few. In general Singapore is a very small island with very crowded roads so the government discourages car ownership by making it very expensive. Have a look through these prices:
https://www.oneshift.com/new_cars/car-price-singap...
An Octavia VRS is about £81,000 & a Honda Civic (basic) around £53,000. Road tax could be £200/6 months. On top of that the equvalent of the MoT makes it expensive to keep old cars on the road so they get scrapped/exported after 10 years or so. Car ownership is an expensive hobby in Singapore.
I have friends who live there so have gone for the last 4 years. The Event itself is much more than the race, which is usually pretty dull (rain crash excepted).
As for the city, things I'd recommend are the Botanic Gardens, Gardens By The Bay, Marina Bay Sands bars (you can't get into the pool unless your a guest), the Changi Museum, a wander round China Town and Little India, Hawker Centres for food, the harbour boat tour. go and see the "Black and Whites" in the Nassim road (lots of exotic cars around here).
As for the city, things I'd recommend are the Botanic Gardens, Gardens By The Bay, Marina Bay Sands bars (you can't get into the pool unless your a guest), the Changi Museum, a wander round China Town and Little India, Hawker Centres for food, the harbour boat tour. go and see the "Black and Whites" in the Nassim road (lots of exotic cars around here).
It's the single most expensive place to own a car in the world, has a 5 year waiting list to own one, and the rules on modifying a car are extremely strict. The locals hop over to Malaysia to get stuff done and most seem to register 4 door saloons for some reason they must be cheaper in some way. There's virtually zero congestion and the roads are extremely well looked after. Given that 17% of the population are millionaires you can expect the usual fare of Porsche's, supercars and the high end luxury stuff. I did also see an odd selection of classic stuff (classic mini, E24, 190e, etc) but a strange lack of classic JDM stuff. Mitsubishi EVOs are extremely common there, literally the Fiesta ST of Singapore. Compared to UK the car culture is depressingly non-existent.
I was in Singapore last week and the car culture does exist but isnt large and isnt visible. The GP is not so popular with the locals who just dont understand motorsport as they have no input nor local heroes to follow. Singapore is all about work and shopping.
Walking around you will see very few interesting cars. there are a few but with a certificate of entitlement costing upwards of £25,000 for a five year 'driving licence' and import duties in many cases over 150% a small hatchback is around £80,000.
No cars allowed over ten years old and parking isnt easy. The public transportation system is so good and cabs so cheap that only the very wealthy lease or own cars.
Hot somewhat humid yet lovely. There are better races to attend but as a city it is magical at night. Clean, everything works, people are so polite and helpful but the GP track isnt Monaco and isnt downtown.
Walking around you will see very few interesting cars. there are a few but with a certificate of entitlement costing upwards of £25,000 for a five year 'driving licence' and import duties in many cases over 150% a small hatchback is around £80,000.
No cars allowed over ten years old and parking isnt easy. The public transportation system is so good and cabs so cheap that only the very wealthy lease or own cars.
Hot somewhat humid yet lovely. There are better races to attend but as a city it is magical at night. Clean, everything works, people are so polite and helpful but the GP track isnt Monaco and isnt downtown.
belleair302 said:
I was in Singapore last week and the car culture does exist but isnt large and isnt visible. The GP is not so popular with the locals who just dont understand motorsport as they have no input nor local heroes to follow. Singapore is all about work and shopping.
Walking around you will see very few interesting cars. there are a few but with a certificate of entitlement costing upwards of £25,000 for a five year 'driving licence' and import duties in many cases over 150% a small hatchback is around £80,000.
No cars allowed over ten years old and parking isnt easy. The public transportation system is so good and cabs so cheap that only the very wealthy lease or own cars.
Hot somewhat humid yet lovely. There are better races to attend but as a city it is magical at night. Clean, everything works, people are so polite and helpful but the GP track isnt Monaco and isnt downtown.
Matches my experience in Singapore ^^Walking around you will see very few interesting cars. there are a few but with a certificate of entitlement costing upwards of £25,000 for a five year 'driving licence' and import duties in many cases over 150% a small hatchback is around £80,000.
No cars allowed over ten years old and parking isnt easy. The public transportation system is so good and cabs so cheap that only the very wealthy lease or own cars.
Hot somewhat humid yet lovely. There are better races to attend but as a city it is magical at night. Clean, everything works, people are so polite and helpful but the GP track isnt Monaco and isnt downtown.
It's certainly a lovely place to spend time. Unlikely to come back with any life changing memories, but it all just works very well and they do luxury extremely well. Essentially a good place to relax, explore and well worth throwing a bit of cash at.
The nightlife in particular is refreshingly cultured, civil and great fun. Providing you don't mind listening to 80's pop classics routinely ruined by the local bands and karaoke singers
Exploring the down town restaurant scene is a must too. Good research will steer you away from the obviously tourist targets and towards better value and quality.
Not so sure I'd return specifically for the GP, but next time I need a few nights stop over to break up a torturous flight, I'll gladly opt for Singapore.
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