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MANILA, Philippines—Like Hoffspace, David Hasselhoff’s bizarre social networking site, every attempt at a “Knight Rider” revival has crashed and burned in a polka-dotted wall of ’80s nostalgia.

But if KITT were to have any final request before being buried along with the A-Team van and DeLorean DMC-12, it would probably wink its left headlight and give its turbojet engine a final roar for the 2008 Formula 1 SingTel Singapore Grand Prix.

As the first night race in Formula 1 history, it is arguably the Lion City’s biggest sporting event, which will be held on Sept. 27 and 28 at a 5.067 km street circuit of public roads along the Marina Bay area.

In this back-breaking sport where moody aggression meets massive horsepower, over 100,000 spectators (spread out over 13 grandstands) will be spellbound by seductively contoured machines as they scream past the garden city’s heritage landmarks in speeds in excess of 300 kph.

Monaco of the East

The night race also boasts of a bespoke state-of-the-art lighting system and the revolutionary introduction of electronic DigiFlags, making the Singapore event one of the most technologically advanced F1 circuits in the world.

In order to replicate daylight, a whopping 1,500 lighting projectors have been mounted to illuminate the entire track, creating an optimum level of brightness that is four times brighter than the average sports stadium.

Billed as the “Monaco of the East,” the Lion City will roar to life in late September and early October, as it gears up for a host of world-class events and activities during the GP Season.

These include art shows like the Singapore Biennale 2008 (Sept. 11 to 16) and The Artistic Drive (Sept. 25 to Oct.6), which will exhibit monumental sculptures by Fernando Botero, Jean Dubuffet, and Niki de Saint Phalle throughout the city. There will also be music and cultural events such as the Singapore River Festival (Sept. 19 to 28) and Diana Krall concert (Sept. 26).

Gourmands are also in for a treat as Michelin-starred chef Laurent Peugeot serves up fine cuisine at the Hilton from Sept. 22 to 28, while the Singapore Beer Festival (Oct. 2 to 5) brings together rare brews from as far away as the Isle of Wright and Coney Island.

Car enthusiasts and F1 fanatics can check out the Singapore Motorshow (Sept. 26 to Oct. 5) and ING Renault Team Pavilion (Aug. 29 to Sept. 28).

But the ultra-exclusive Amber Lounge party (Sept. 27 and 28), a fixture in F1 races around the world, will probably be the most sought-after ticket. Race drivers, team principals, sponsors, and international models will all congregate at the Conrad, where guests will get to rub shoulders with these jet-setting VIPs until the wee hours.

Chasing chequered flags

For those interested in catching the racing action live, three-day corporate hospitality suites and packages (which went on sale in December 2007) are still on sale. A total of 84,500 three-day walkabout and grandstand passes have also been released, along with 13,000 corporate hospitality and Paddock Club seats.

A further 3,000 single-day walkabout passes per day have also been made available. Ticket prices range from S$ 38 (single-day ticket) to S$ 1,388 (three-day Pit Grandstand pass), which are sold on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Motor sports has always been the ultimate test of nerve and skill; it’s visceral excitement unmatched. These daredevil drivers man powerful machines as they blaze their way through a torrent of portentous tracks and wanton weather conditions, all in the pursuit of that elusive chequered flag.

It’s a cacophonous world of perilous straights, screeching rubber and rumbling engines. And for one glorious night in September, racing fans from the four corners of the globe will get to be part of Formula 1 history.

KITT would be more than glad to take you there, of course. But unlike its gull-winged and time-traveling contemporary, this crime-fighting supercomputer-on-wheels can’t actually fly.

For more information on the 2008 Formula 1 SingTel Singapore Grand Prix, visit www.singaporegp.sg or call their Ticketing Hotline at +65 6738 6738.