LESS than two months after pictures of Singapore's brilliantly lit Formula One Marina Bay street circuit were carried in major international newspapers, the country's race track is again in the spotlight. It has been named the Motor Sport Facility of the Year at the Professional Motor Sport World annual awards in Cologne, Germany.

The 5.067km Singapore Grand Prix venue was commended for the revolutionary lighting that replicated near day-time conditions and the spectacular way it wove through the heart of the city centre.

Among the landmarks drivers like world champion Lewis Hamilton whizzed past were modern ones like the Singapore Flyer and Esplanade, along with historic buildings like the Supreme Court and old City Hall.

Singapore GP media and communications director Jonathan Hallett praised the entire team involved in the effort.

Months of preparation were needed to transform public streets into a circuit worthy of hosting the top tier of motor sports.

Added Hallett: 'We have received many compliments from around the world since the race, but this is an award given by our peers, the professionals who work in motor sports.'

Singapore's track earned the nod from a panel of 15 judges that included Roland Schedel, the editor-in-chief of Auto Technology, and Gary Anderson, Setanta Ireland's F1 expert analyst.

It beat the European Grand Prix F1 venue at Valencia, Spain; the Toyota Racing Development chassis engineering building in Cologne, and a new motor racing facility at Sturup in Sweden.

Other awards given out included Safety Innovation of the Year (awarded to the FIA Foundation for its work in improving safety in the World Rally Championship) and Team Principal of the Year (awarded to Franz Tost of F1's Toro Rosso).