Formula One™ first - Philips to light Singapore night race

Valerio Maioli selects Philips' lighting projectors to provide a safe driving environment and exciting experience for spectators

Philips today announced that its lighting projectors have been selected by Valerio Maioli S.p.A., the Italian consultant company appointed by Singapore GP Pte Ltd., to light up the first ever Formula One™ night race on 28 September 2008 in Singapore.

The go-ahead was given to Singapore to stage the first night race after the International Automobile Federation (FIA) agreed that Valerio Maioli’s design satisfied strict criteria concerning safety.

Philips contributed to this project by working with Valerio Maioli S.p.A. to develop a dedicated reflector for the system. The projectors were selected by Mr. Maioli because its lighting achieves near-daylight conditions at night, providing a safe environment for drivers on the race track, even at speeds of more than 300km per hour. The lighting system, developed by Valerio Maioli S.p.A.engineers, avoids glare by projecting the light beams at different angles rather than vertically. This is to prevent glare in wet weather conditions.

As well as providing safe driving conditions for drivers, Philips Lighting projectors are designed to provide an exciting experience for race attendees and television viewers at home by meeting High Definition Television (HDTV) broadcast standards.

Championing night racing, Formula One™ Chief Executive Officer, Bernie Ecclestone, commissioned Valerio Maioli to develop a lighting system for Formula One™ races in March 2007. After a series of tests throughout Europe, involving Formula One™ professionals such as Renault test driver Nelson Piquet Jr., Mr. Maioli submitted his project to the FIA Safety Commission.

Commenting on the project, Mr. Maioli said: “In order to get approval for the night races from the FIA, it was essential that the solution presented met very strict safety requirements, as well as delivering the best experience for drivers, spectators and broadcasters.  Philips’ heritage in the sporting arena made it a natural choice” 

Rudy Provoost, CEO of Philips Lighting, said: “Many dream of being a racing car driver and we are pleased to be involved in developing innovative lighting solutions that enhance people’s enjoyment of this thrilling sport. We are delighted to support Valerio Maioli in staging the first Formula One™ night race with our lighting solution, which not only raises the sport's visibility but also makes it safer and even more exciting.”

The Marina Bay Street Circuit in Singapore is fitted with nearly 1,500 lighting projectors, illuminating the 5.067km track with light that is four times brighter than a football stadium at night. Because the track is a street circuit, the lighting system is temporary.  The heights of the lights will vary to accommodate the trees lining the road. The lights are also set deliberately lower than the canopy, and will not interfere with underground public services such as water and gas pipes, and electricity cables.

About the Singapore lighting installation:

• One sided lighting installation (instead of both sides of the track) installed at 10m above ground level
• Almost 1500 lighting projectors, placed at 4m apart
• Pylons, set at 32m distance apart, support an aluminum truss along the track
• The truss supports the projectors, power and optic cables, PA loudspeakers, CCTV cameras and advertising
• The lighting provides 3000 lux of light (light intensity), compared to 800 lux for football stadium and 30 lux for street lighting
• At night the light is 4 times brighter than a typical stadium

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Background information

• Click here to read the backgrounder on Philips' sport lighting