Singapore Grand Prix Sunday

The skyline is not quite right, but it's a good overall impression.

Practice runs have already begun on the Marina Bay circuit ahead of this week's Formula One race in Singapore.  The contest is a true grand-prix style race on the downtown streets of the city,  called the Marina Bay circuit: around the new casino, under the giant Singapore Flyer ferris wheel, along the Padang parade grounds and its government buildings, and beside the high rise office towers of the Central Business District.  The twist?  The race begins at night, 8:00 PM local time, which puts it in the traditional  Sunday afternoon motorsport timeslot in Europe: 1:00 PM in Britain, 2:00 PM on most of the Continent.  The BBC has a slideshow of the preparations here.  

The Singapore race is happening amid a big-time title chase featuring some of Formula One's most recognizable drivers. Unfortunately, we have had afternoon rain showers every day this week, including now as I write.  Though the evenings have been dry, the tropical humidity lets all that moisture linger and is creating tough conditions on the racetrack.

The Passengers plan to watch the event tomorrow from a friend's downtown apartment that happens to overlook part of the racing circuit.  At the very least it will be loud.