As well as making history as the sport's first-ever night race, the Singapore Grand Prix on September 28 will also mark the introduction of electronic flag displays as well as the flags traditionally waved by race officials to communicate with drivers.
The flag signals, which have been an integral part of Grand Prix motor racing for over five decades, will be supplemented by electronic boards alongside the track. Using technology similar to units used to guide pilots at major airports, the 'Digiflags' will display the different flag colours more effectively because of the brightness of the display boards.
The system, developed by Singapore GP technical consultants Valerio Maioli Spa, is the result of more than a decade of development at the Barcelona, Imola and Monza racing circuits, in order to meet the stringent requirements of the FIA sporting code. The Singapore street circuit will mark the first-ever use of the Digiflag technology in a Formula One event.
Thirty five display panels will be situated around the track. Controlled by hand-held panels operated by officials at each marshals post, they will supplement the traditional flag signals. In addition the race director will have an overview of the warnings being displayed around the entire circuit, allowing more centralised, efficient communication of warnings to drivers.
The announcement of the new 'Digiflag' technology follows a successful week-long demonstration of the lighting units that will make history when Singapore hosts the world's first night F1 race. Sixteen lighting projectors were installed and tested recently on a 64-metre stretch of St Andrew's Road in front of the Padang, which in September will see the cars reaching up to 160 mph.
The system was operated for five hours each night through the week. In addition to allowing members of the public to view the lighting infrastructure, the tests gave valuable feedback on the operation of the systems in all weather conditions, and over a sustained period.
In September, the entire track will be fitted with nearly 1,500 lighting projectors which will be powered by 12 twin-power generators. An overall average of about 3000lux level is required to illuminate the circuit, which is enough to meet High Definition television broadcast standards. As a result, the track will be almost four times brighter than a typical stadium. The demonstration also revealed that the lighting projectors are designed in such a way as to avoid glare to spectators as well as to ensure the safety of drivers during the race.
Installation of the full lighting system will be carried out in stages, starting with the pit straight at the end of May with completion targeted for 31 August 2008, a month ahead of the race on 28 September.
The live demonstration of the lighting system is the latest milestone as Singapore prepares for race day. The Pit Building is 65 percent complete and well on schedule to be ready by the end of June. The modification works to existing roads, such as the removal of kerbs and traffic islands along the track, as well as the expansion of the Promenade in front the National Day Parade seating gallery, are in the advanced stages of completion.
The remainder of the road works, such as the construction of a new track section in front of the pit building and the construction of a service road and tunnel to the paddock, are expected to be completed by late May.
To see pictures from the recent lighting test, click here
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