The Electric New Paper :
IT'S time to rev the engines and floor the pedal. Come 25 Nov, up to 100 race-car drivers may demonstrate their power in Punggol.
By Faith Teo
08 October 2007
IT'S time to rev the engines and floor the pedal.
Come 25 Nov, up to 100 race-car drivers may demonstrate their power in Punggol.
The cars are likely be involved in racing demonstrations, showing off what they can do in segments like drifting and straight-line sprints.
Sources revealed that souped-up road cars and unmodified sports cars would be taking part.
The New Paper on Sunday reported lastmonth that Punggol might be the first location for series of professional go-kart racing events.
The heartland races will serve as curtain-raisers for next September's Formula One event.
Sources familiar with the event say that the location and date have been confirmed.
And as a bonus to the main attraction of go-kart racing, there are plans for the day-long event to have race demonstrations featuring some 100 cars.
Punggol residents need not worry though.
The site is believed to be some distance away from heavily-populated areas.
NOT WORRIED
A resident and car lover who wanted to be known only as James said the event would inject some life into the estate.
'It's so quiet here. A racing carnival with some noise and activity would be welcome. Maybe it will earn Punggol a reputation for being 'happening',' hesaid.
Mrs Endora Alexander, 32, felt that as long as residents are not too inconvenienced, the races would be a welcome activity 'as long as it's not disruptive of everyday life, is not too noisy and doesn't pollute the area'.
She said: 'Residents should still be able to get in and out of their living areas.
'If the organisers find an area close to the heartlands, but far enough not to disrupt traffic, then I think it's a good idea because it gives people something to do and see.'
The New Paper on Sunday learnt that among those who are taking part in the event is Mr Winson Ow, who is well-known in the racing fraternity.
He has more than 200medals to his name after 15 years ofracing and is still involved in the sport despite having bowed out of the circuit three years ago. He runs car workshop CS Racing and also trains racedrivers.
He is believed to be entering several drivers trained under him for the demos, but would not confirm it.
He did, however, show us a car that might be used for such events.
The black Subaru WRX, one of the fastest in the region, was custom-modified at his workshop and boasts 800bhp (brake horsepower, a unit measuring the power of a car's engine). It can go from zero to 100kmh in about fourseconds. (See report below.)
The fastest version of WRX sold by Motor Image here is the STI, which has just under 280 bhp.
Mr Ow, 40, said: 'We can change the engine's performance by using the computer unit to play with ignition and fuel settings, for example.'
Also in his workshop were twogo-karts.
One, with a single engine, has a top speed of 25kmh, but the twin-engine version can run at about 100kmh. A lighter version of the twin-engine is used for racing.
Both versions are expected to make an appearance at the racing events.
One race driver, who declined to be named, said: 'I'm glad that F1 has paved the way for more support for local race-related activities.
'It's good to know that racing is finally being seen as a serious sport now. The reckless wannabes on the road have given racing a bad name here, but hopefully, awareness and education will change that lopsided opinion in time.
'There is a professional side to this sport that should be highlighted.'
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Want to race it? You'll have to strip it
Reinforcement bars. They keep cabin from crumpling on impact
No licence plate as car not allowed on public roads
No radio or air-con
Plastic windows (they're lighter)
Lever activates parachute at back of car if extra braking power needed
Room for only one: The driver
detail from here: http://tnp.sg/printfriendly/0,4139,144170,00.html
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