I WENT to the Singapore Grand Prix last Sunday and totally lapped up the turbocharged entertainment value.
I am not really an F1 fanatic so I had at best a passing interest in the action on the tracks as the cars whizzed by in their high-pitch glory.
Actually, my attention was mostly riveted by other stuff happening round me.
A big draw was the timing - at night - which made for a pleasant sporting excursion. The lucky organisers also had a free backdrop of lit skyscrapers and twinkling stars in the sky.
A nice gentle breeze swirled in from Marina Bay whose waters were dotted with luxury yachts.
There was magic in the air and everything coalesced in a stirring mix of sight, sound and lights.
Which makes me think — given our heat and humidity — more outdoor sporting events in Singapore should really be held at night.
That's also when most people are free to come and watch, and the cooler air does not sap the sportsmen too much, guaranteeing better performances.
A few months ago, I caught a couple of football matches at the Asian Youth Games in the afternoon. The heat was stifling even though I was at the covered grandstands in Jalan Besar Stadium.
Next year, the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) will roll round, and the winning sports entertainment formula from the F1 race should be replicated.
Can outdoor events — especially those on weekends — be held at night for athletics, football and so on?
Our stadia already come with floodlights so the infrastructure is there. And our transport system runs late into the night to fetch the crowds home.
The cost of lighting will be higher but so would ticket receipts. And it's always good to get a bigger cheering crowd than have pockets of people scattered in the stands.
The cooler night air also brings lifestyle opportunities.
The grounds outside the stadia can host concerts, parties or food fests — certainly on weekends — after the sports is done for the day or night.
The F1 event came with exclusive parties and gigs. I am sure we can get sports celebs and former sports greats to grace the YOG too.
Singaporeans love the big names. When basketball star Kobe Bryant came recently, a full house thronged the Indoor Stadium to watch him shoot hoops.
People must be made to feel excited about more than what’s at play in the sports arena.
The competition to engage their patronage is fierce — given the plethora of options — but as the F1 formula shows, a lot can be done to rev up interest.
Folks overseas also need more reasons to come here and give the economy a fillip.
Which means the YOG cannot be mostly a standalone sports event.
Make it a grander celebration, make it a feast for the senses and Singapore will surely score a gold in sports entertainment.
Do you think more sporting events should be held at night? Leave your comments below.