Oh what a night!
When it was announced that the City-state was to not only host a Formula 1 Grand Prix motor race - that it would be at night - and on a street circuit -there were many who said it couldn't be done.
Well, not only was it done over the last weekend but the praise now coming Singapore's way for such a well-organised event is almost endless.
As one who was swept along with the F1 excitement gripping the city the nearest I got to the cars was on Friday night, watching a Practice Session.
Coming out of the CityLink tunnel opposite Suntec City there was a spot just perfect for watching motoring thoroughbreds charge by. First you hear the noise as the cars approach, then they appear at speeds almost unimaginable...then they are gone.
Talk about ‘take your breath away'...they certainly did.
I actually went to the Renault F1 party at Raffles Hotel Courtyard on Saturday afternoon at which Renault drivers Nelson Piquet and Fernando Alonso appeared...wow.
Both of them had bad runs (and luck) in qualifying that night and you wondered how they would fare in the actual race. Twenty cars battling for glory along narrow roads and bridges offering few overtaking chances would certainly make the event difficult.
The television broadcast was fantastic and missed none of the spectacular crashes, mistakes and overall drama.
The city looked magnificent with the lights and harbour providing an amazing backdrop to a captivating race, which brought 40,000 visitors to town.
As it happened Alonso won from 15th position at the start ---
following a crash by his colleague Piquet that allowed him to leapfroghis rivals.
It was quite breathtaking ...and will seemingly be bettered next year...which will take some doing!