Singapore’s maiden F1 race hits town next September. Before the bright lights, fancy cars and hot drivers rev up the scene, the TOS staff warmed up the tracks with five of our own racers.



It’s been the talk of town, and the countdown is on. Singapore could be one of the three F1 circuits worldwide that run anticlockwise and possibly the first night race ever, subject to approval by the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile. A $33 million Pit Building has even been specially constructed. The Time Out Singapore team couldn’t wait for the real thing to start, so we had a little Grand Prix of our own – with a twist. The line-up: a taxi, a trishaw, a Vespa, a road bike and a man in walking shoes. We had the motley crew assemble along Connaught Drive at 3.30am for one lap of the 5km street circuit (or the closest approximation to the track – some of it has yet to be built). Who crosses the finish line first? Read on and find out. 



Racer William Han, 58 
Day job Full-time cab driver for 28 years
Vehicle Silver Cab 
Pre-race prep? ‘No. I’m usually in bed by 4am, but instead I’m here, doing this race.’
Self-determined odds of winning (on a scale of one to ten) ‘Eight.’ 
Advice for potential F1 drivers ‘Nothing, because I have no experience!’ 
Favourite F1 driver ‘Not sure – I don’t really follow F1 races.’ 
Number of traffic lights stopped at Four 
Final timing Eight minutes, 38 seconds 
Last thoughts on the route ‘Clean; this area is very good for this type of race. The roads here are too crowded during the day, though.’ 



Racer Alvin Teh, 21 
Day job Trishaw driver for seven years Vehicle Trusty three year- old trishaw
with built-in sound system Pre-race prep? ‘No.’
Self-determined odds of winning ‘Four. It’s tough to compete with a scooter and a taxi. The scooter, especially – a blink of an eye and it’s gone.’
Advice for potential F1 drivers ‘Drive safely.’ Favourite F1 driver ‘Not sure. I watch F1 races from time to time, but don’t remember any names.’
Number of traffic lights stopped at None Final timing 26 minutes, 44 seconds
Last thoughts on the route ‘Chickenfeed. Singapore is too small for this. It might be more exciting if we included expressways in the route, have the starting point at Mandai and finishing point near SAFTI in Jurong.’



Racer Stan Wong, 28 - WINNER
Day job ‘Photographer with road rage.’ 
Vehicle Vespa PX 150 
Pre-race prep? ‘Do I look like I came prepared?’ 
Self-determined odds of winning ‘Eight. But the cab might win because cars can go faster. I travel at 80km/h.’ 
Advice for potential F1 drivers ‘Don’t shop for electronics on Orchard Road, especially Lucky Plaza.’ Favourite F1 driver ‘It used to be [Michael] Schumacher. Right now it’s [Felipe] Massa from the Ferrari team. I think he’s the underdog. He’s got potential in the way he drives, but people don’t really give him enough credit.’ 
Number of traffic lights stopped at Six  Final timing Seven minutes, one second 
Last thoughts on the route ‘Not many overtaking chances. The roads are too straight and unexciting; corners are sharp, while lanes are small and only fit two cars.’ 



Racer Julian Peterson, 35 
Day job TOS marketing director
Vehicle Road bike, Triandrun.com 
Pre-race prep? ‘Cocktails at The Screening Room.’ 
Self-prescribed odds of winning ‘Nine, because I’m not going to stop at any red lights.’
Advice for potential F1 drivers ‘Left foot breaking into a corner – floor the accelerator with your right foot, floor the brake with your left. Front wheels lock into a skid and rear end spins to the side. As you slide into the corner, ease the pressure on both and you will catapult out of the corner. Unless you have front-wheel drive, in which case you will crash.’ 
Favourite F1 driver ‘Lewis Hamilton.’ 
Number of traffic lights stopped at Two and a half 
Final timing 12 minutes, 30 seconds 
Last thoughts on the route ‘There will not be any overtaking. The turn into the new National Day gallery cannot be used as it is now – far too thin.’ 



Racer Melvin Ho, 35 
Day job TOS designer
Vehicle Feet, ODX tennis shoes 
Pre-race prep? ‘Yes, I looked at the map and familiarised myself with the route before the race.’ 
Self-determined odds of winning ‘One. I know the vehicles will definitely win, but it doesn’t really matter. I just take it as a fun experience.’ 
Advice for potential F1 drivers ‘Get to know the route, test drive for familiarity.’ 
Favourite F1 driver ‘Michael Schumacher – he’s the only one I know of.’ 
Number of traffic lights stopped at Five 
Final timing 86 minutes (4,924 steps) 
Last thoughts on the route ‘It’s rather simple and short.’

Keep up to date with news and event details on the first Singapore Grand Prix.