Singapore's Daring Spirit In 4 Items: First Mount Everest Summit & ’70s Grand Prix | On The Red Dot

Key Concepts

• Aussie Daily Sprite: A classic sports car, under 1,000 CC, owned by David Chan.
• Old Singapore Grand Prix: A historic motor race held at the Thompson Road Circuit from 1961 to 1973.
• Thompson Road Circuit: The location of the Old Singapore Grand Prix and various local racing events.
• Benny Ong: A pioneering Singaporean fashion designer who achieved international success.
• St. Martin School of Art: A prestigious fashion school in London where Benny Ong studied.
• Princess Diana's Measurements: A significant artifact representing Benny Ong's work for the British royal family.
• Singapore Pools: A government-backed organization established to provide legal gambling options and combat illegal gambling.
• Toto: Singapore's first legal lottery game, launched in 1968.
• Othman Wok: Former Cultural and Social Affairs Minister who conceived the idea of Toto.
• Singapore Everest Expedition (1998): The first successful expedition by a Singaporean team to summit Mount Everest.
• Crampon: A traction device attached to footwear for walking on ice and snow.
• Ice Axe: A multi-purpose tool used in mountaineering for balance, self-arrest, and cutting steps.
• National Museum of Singapore Pop-up Museum: A temporary exhibition showcasing historical artifacts collected during the video's journey.

David Chan and the Legacy of Singaporean Motorsports

The video begins with the host expressing his lifelong love for cars, recalling his experience with a Lamborghini capable of 300 km/h. He then introduces David Chan, owner of a classic Aussie Daily Sprite, a sports car with an engine under 1,000 CC. This car was a gift from David's father for his 18th birthday in 1965. David competed in local events like the Gapill Climb at South Bonner Vista (end of 1971) and the Quarter Mile Thompson Road Sprint (1972), which were crucial for local drivers to road test their vehicles before the Old Singapore Grand Prix.

The host expresses surprise at the existence of a Singapore Grand Prix in the 1960s, which David confirms. The Old Singapore Grand Prix was a three-day event, with the 1966 meeting held over Easter weekend, where "all roads led to Upper Thompson Road." Racing in Singapore predates WWII, with post-war participants often using "home-built cars" from old Fiats. The race was initially called the "Orient Year Grand Prix," then the "Malaysia Grand Prix," and finally the "Singapore Grand Prix" after the nation's independence. David was forbidden from participating in the Grand Prix by his father because his cousin was tragically killed in the 1972 event, though David did start racing in 1971 against his father's advice.

The motorsport scene was vibrant, but most of the race cars from that era have since been scrapped or exported. David's Aussie Daily Sprite is one of the last few remaining cars that saw action on Singaporean tracks in the 1970s. He still possesses the original, heavy steering wheel used for competition and shares souvenir programs from the 1966 Grand Prix, noting the $1 walkabout tickets and the practice of spectators climbing trees for a better view. The Old Singapore Grand Prix concluded in 1973, but the host acknowledges its legacy in the modern F1 races at Marina Bay, stating, "The race must go on." David takes the host for a ride in his classic car on a section of the old Thompson Road Circuit, highlighting the historical significance of the route.

Benny Ong: Singapore's Fashion Pioneer to Royalty

The narrative shifts from motorsports to fashion, introducing Benny Ong, a pioneering Singaporean fashion designer. Benny went to London in the early 1970s to study fashion at the prestigious St. Martin School of Art. Initially, his parents only provided enough funds for seven months, but Benny managed to sell his design work to finance his entire education. He launched his business in early 1975 with his main label "Benyong" and a sub-label "OMG."

Benny's international breakthrough came when his designs were sold at Harrods in London, a premier British department store, after he cold-called a buyer. This exposure quickly established him in the London fashion scene. He was also a co-founder of the London Designer Collection, which organized twice-yearly fashion shows for young designers. Benny believes Singaporeans were aware of his international success, as few represented the nation abroad at that time. He showcases some of his works for magazines like Elle and Vogue from 1989, and the host tries on one of his exquisite dresses, praising its craftsmanship.

Benny then reveals his "best-kept secret": he designed for Princess Diana in the 1980s. He shows the host the iconic document containing Princess Diana's measurements, describing her as young, pretty, tall, elegant, and initially quite shy. Dressing her, he felt, helped build her confidence. He explains that the Vogue chief editor selected five designers, including him, to dress the Princess. Due to etiquette, he was not allowed to discuss this privilege for many years. Between the 1980s and 1990s, Benny designed 10 to 12 outfits for Princess Diana, including a notable peach and cream two-layered ensemble worn for the Royal Ascot, a prestigious British horse racing event. He donated Princess Diana's measurements to the National Museum of Singapore, describing it as "like giving away your own baby" but believing it should be shared with all of Singapore. Besides Princess Diana, Benny also dressed other royalty, such as the Duchess of Kent and Queen Noor of Jordan.

Dan and the Genesis of Singapore Pools' Toto Lottery

The video transitions to a different aspect of Singaporean history: fortune and the Toto lottery. The host meets Dan, who presents a challenge to identify a historical artifact. Dan reveals a Toto coupon as the item that tells a significant story. He explains that Singapore Pools was established in the 1960s to combat illegal gambling and provide a legal betting avenue. The funds raised were also used to finance the construction of Singapore's first national stadium, which opened in 1973.

Toto, Singapore's first legal lottery game, was launched in 1968. Dan shows a rare coupon from the first Toto draw, which was launched for National Day in 1968. Players would choose six numbers from 1 to 49, with guaranteed payouts unlike illegal gambling, and was run by Singapore Pools under government oversight to ensure fairness. The first prize was approximately $500,000 for a 50-cent ticket, with a second chance to win $1,000. The idea for Toto originated with Mr. Othman Wok, the former Cultural and Social Affairs Minister, during a trip to Bulgaria. Bulgarian Toto experts were brought to Singapore to advise on the project's launch. The lottery was incredibly well-received, with coupons selling out within hours. From 1968 to 1976, Toto generated a substantial $14.5 million, a significant sum at the time.

The 1998 Singapore Everest Expedition

The final historical segment focuses on an achievement that took Singapore's flag to "new heights": the 1998 Singapore Everest Expedition. A representative from the expedition team showcases the specialized gear used, including an outer layer suit for altitudes below 7,000m and a red overall suit for above 7,000m, described as a "walking sleeping bag." He details the extreme conditions, with temperatures as low as -55 degrees Celsius at 7,000m, where stopping means everything freezes. Essential tools like the ice axe and crampons (fixed to climbing boots to prevent slipping) are also displayed.

These items are part of the equipment used by the first Singapore Everest team to successfully reach the summit. The motivation behind the expedition stemmed from the desire to establish a mountaineering federation in Singapore, despite the lack of mountains. During the 1997 Asian economic crisis, the project aimed to demonstrate that the "little red dot" (Singapore) could achieve great things together. The project, led by Mr. David Lim, took four years of preparation and selection. The final team comprised eight climbers and three support staff, totaling 11 individuals. The climber describes reaching the summit on May 25, 1998, as a "euphoric feeling," leading to automatic tears of joy. Upon their return to Singapore, the team received a heartwarming reception at the airport, akin to Olympians, with large crowds of family and supporters.

Conclusion: A Pop-up Museum of Singapore's Hidden Histories

The video concludes with the host reflecting on the diverse stories and artifacts collected, which collectively represent a rich tapestry of Singapore's history. To share these unique items and their narratives with the public, the National Museum of Singapore will host a "Pop-up Museum of You and Me." This exhibition will be located directly in front of the National Museum from October to December, allowing anyone to stop by and experience these historical treasures firsthand. The host jokingly expresses his desire to keep the Mercedes van used for the project, ending the journey on a lighthearted note.