The return of motor racing to Singapore is one of the highlights of the decade with a Formula One Grand Prix being run in the dark, under floodlights, for the first time. The 8pm local start time is designed to boost the TV audience in Europe on a Sunday afternoon. With the recent races in Spa and Monza affected by rain will it play a part in Singapore? Matthew Marsh said: "There's always the chance of rain in Singapore and generally in the afternoon. So our race time of 17h30 pm on Sunday means there is a high chance we will be racing in wet conditions. This will make life very interesting."
Matthew Marsh, from Hong Kong, hardly has a spare minute as he is in Singapore ahead of the big race fulfilling sponsor commitments. His team backer, SC Global Developments Limited, is also the title sponsor of the race which supports the Singapore Grand Prix. Once he is strapped into his Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car however, Marsh knows that there is only one thing left for him to do, that is race. All the hoopla is forgotten as he takes care of business.
“I won’t feel under any more pressure on the track because once you close the door and start racing, you forget about everything else. The sheer adrenaline generated by an uncompromising need to win completely takes control,” the 2004 Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Champion said. “But racing for SC Global Racing at our home event in Singapore in front of all our supporters gives me greater confidence as they all want to see us succeed.”
Marsh said the unprecedented enthusiasm for the event was “infectious” and he has been thinking about the Singapore event ever since it was announced. Like everyone else, Marsh is curious to know what will happen once the lights go out on the start line gantry.
Marsh has jogged along the Marina Bay street circuit, which will be new to all drivers including the Formula One pilots, and he knows this will be a race with a special atmosphere. “It’s going to be really quite special. They’ve managed to create a flow to the circuit and have formed a contrast so that you can see different parts of the city. It’s a bit like taking a journey, one at incredible speed.” With a week to go Matthew reports: "I went for a run around the circuit tonight and there are many areas where it's not really possible to get an accurate idea of how the track will feel. This is because 80-percent of the track is public roads - and roads which are busy most of the time."
Marsh has previously competed on street circuits having raced four times in the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia at the Macau Grand Prix and as a guest driver in Monaco as part of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup. “It means that there are fewer unknowns for me, but a lot of the others have street circuit experience too. It’s going to be a challenge, but one I will relish.”
Provisional SC Global Developments Porsche Carrera Cup Asia timetable - Round 9:
Friday 26 September, 2008: 15:00 Drivers’ Meeting; 16h:40-17h:25 Practice
Saturday 27 September, 2008: 17h:45-18h:15 Qualifying
Sunday 28 September, 2008: 17h:30-18h:05 Race 12 laps
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