Thomson Road Grand Prix

The Thomson Road Grand Prix circuit was a former street circuit on Old Upper Thomson Road in Singapore. It hosted races from 1961 to 1973 under Formula Libre and Australian Formula 2 rules; races until 1965 are now considered part of the lineage of the Malaysian Grand Prix, and races after Singapore's independence in 1965 are considered part of the lineage of the Singapore Grand Prix. During the initial years, the main Motorcycle and Car Grand Prix lasted 60 laps, although this was eventually refined into two separate races - a preliminary 20 lap event followed by a 40 lap event. The first Singapore Grand Prix of 1961 was won by Ian Barnwell in an Aston Martin DB3S while the first Singapore Grand Prix of post-independence Singapore in 1966 (also run to Formula Libre rules) saw Lee Han Seng win in a Lotus 22 Lotus-Ford. The final victory went to Vern Schuppan in a March-Ford in 1973.

History

In 1960, a Grand Prix was devised as part of the "Visit Singapore – The Orient Year" campaign to attract tourists to the region. At that time, Singapore lacked a formal racing circuit, and as a result, a new circuit had to be found. The initial suggestion for a street circuit that ran through Thomson, Whitley, Dunearn and Adam Roads was found to be unfeasible due to the massive traffic disruption it would cause to residents. After consideration of other existing circuits, it was decided that a new circuit would be created along the old and new Upper Thomson Road.^[2]

In 1962 the race was renamed the Malaysian Grand Prix as Singapore had yet to gain independence, with Yong Nam Kee - who apparently was known as 'Fatso' - taking victory in an E-Type Jaguar. Hong Kong driver Albert Poon - a Macau Grand Prix winner - triumphed in 1963 and 1965, although the 1964 running of the race was abandoned because of torrential rain. That year's race was also marred by a marshal being killed when a Jaguar flew off the track and hit him.

On August 9 1965, Singapore gained its independence, and on April 11 the following year it hosted its first national grand prix. Home driver Lee Han Seng won in a Lotus 22, followed by compatriot Rodney Seow in a Merlyn in 1967. Elfin founder Garrie Cooper won in 1968, but it was New Zealander Graeme Lawrence who became the most successful driver in the history of the event with three successive wins from 1969-1971, the second of those triumphs coming behind the wheel of a Ferrari 246T. Another Australian, Max Stewart, won in 1972, with Vern Schuppan taking a March Formula 2 car to victory in the final Singapore Grand Prix of that era in 1973.^[3]