The 'Macau
Grand Prix' is a motor-racing event held annually in November in the streets of
Macau. It is known for being the only
street circuit racing event in which both car and motorcycle races are held; more than three hundred racing drivers and riders gather for the annual event.
One of the highlights of the weekend is the 'Macau
Formula 3 Grand Prix', which features many current national Formula 3 champions or drivers around the world. Due to the challenging nature of the circuit, which consists of fast straights (a
Formula 3 car can reach a top speed of 260km/h at the end of this stretch
[1]), tight corners and uncompromising crash barriers, the Macau Grand Prix is famously known as one of the most demanding circuit in the world. Many current or former
Formula One drivers participated in the event and some have won here early in their careers: among them
Ayrton Senna,
Michael Schumacher,
David Coulthard,
Ralf Schumacher and
Damon Hill.
Since 2005, the double-header '
Guia Race', which traditionally features touring cars from world-renowned car manufacturers, has officially become the final two races of the FIA
World Touring Car Championship (WTCC).
History
The Macau Grand Prix was originally conceived in 1954 as a treasure hunt around the streets of the city, but shortly after it was suggested that the hunt's track could host an amateur racing event for local motor enthusiasts. The race continued as an amateur race until 1966, when Belgian driver Mauro Bianchi entered the race with a car by Renault Sport, mostly to promote Renault's image in Hong Kong; this led to more and more professional teams entering the Grand Prix.
The motorcycle race was introduced in 1967, and in that year the first fatal tragedy struck the race: double champion Dodjie Laurel was killed when he lost control of his car and crashed, resulting in safety improvements for the race.
The first Guia race for touring cars was held in 1972. Macau's Guia Race for touring cars is a particular race for this category, as very few races with these cars are held on street circuits. Since 2005 the race has officially become the final two rounds of FIA
World Touring Car Championship.
In 1983, it was decided by the organisers that since
Formula Atlantic was becoming obsolete, the race would be held as a
Formula 3 event. Initially, they wanted to run a
F2 race, but as they were unwilling to make any large circuit modifications, which included cutting down trees, the organisers settled for F3. This was considered the right decision, given the fact that now the best young drivers from Europe and Japan are entering the race. The first F3 race was won by a young
Ayrton Senna. The 1990 race was a memorable one, as
Michael Schumacher took out
Mika Häkkinen in a controversial race after the two collided on the final lap when Häkkinen attempted a risky over take; both would become Formula One world champions. Other notable winners are Formula One drivers
David Coulthard,
Ralf Schumacher and
Takuma Sato.
Macau is a special event for motorcycle riders too. The Motorcycle Grand Prix has featured many famous Grand Prix riders such as
Kevin Schwantz,
Carl Fogarty,
Ron Haslam and
Michael Rutter. In 2005, french rider
Bruno Bonhuil suffered a fatal crash.
Teddy Yip was one of the main forces behind the Macau Grand Prix, leading the Grand Prix to be one of the most known motor racing events in the world outside Formula 1. The Macau Grand Prix parties he hosted for many years at his home also became a central part of the social aspect of the Grand Prix. One of the bends on Macau's famous Guia Circuit is named after him "
Teddy Yip Bend".
Today
The 'Macau Grand Prix' race weekend normally starts on a Thursday and ends on a Sunday on the second or third week of November. The first two days (Thursday and Friday) are generally scheduled for practising and qualifying. All races are held on Saturday and Sunday, with the final rounds of the heavyweights Macau Formula 3 Grand Prix and the Guia Race (scheduled to be the final 2 rounds of the
FIA World Touring Car Championship since 2005) held on the last day. Both the Macau Formula 3 Grand Prix and the Guia Race are sanctioned by the FIA and the winner of the Macau Formula 3 Grand Prix is awarded the FIA Intercontinental Formula 3 Cup. Apart from the two major races held at the race weekend, the Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix is also one of the highlights of the weekend since it features former or current racers of the
World Superbike Championships. Other races include the
Porsche Carrera Cup Asia race, the
Formula Renault 2000 race, the Macau Cup, touring car races for the local and Hong Kong racers, and the Scooter race.
The Guia Circuit
Characteristics: A street circuit with a challenging combination of fast straights and tight corners. It is recognised as one of the most demanding circuits in the world.
★ Length: 3.8 miles (6.2 km)
★ Minimum width: 22.8 feet (7 m)
★ Formula 3 Lap Record: 2:12.527 (
Roberto Streit, 2006/
Dallara-
Mercedes-
HWA)
★ Motorcycle Lap Record: 2:28.233 (
Michael Rutter, 2003/
Ducati 998cc )
★ Guia Race Lap Record: 2:29.253 (
Steve Soper, 1997/
BMW 320i)
Winners
Other significant competitors
★
John MacDonald Only person who won all internacional races of Macau; Macau Grand Prix (1965, 1972, 1973 and 1975),
Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix (1969) and
Guia Race (1972).
★
Masahiro Hasemi 1982 runner up Formula Atlantic & 1990 winner Guia Touring car
★
Gerhard Berger 1983 Third F3
★
Martin Brundle 1983
★
Damon Hill 1988 runner up F3
★
Mika Häkkinen 1990 winner 1st leg F3
★
Eddie Irvine 1990 runner up
★
Mika Salo 1990 runner up F3
★
Eddie Irvine 1990 3rd F3
★
Rubens Barrichello 1991
★
Jacques Villeneuve 1992 runner up F3
★
Jörg Müller 1993 winner F3 & winner Guia Touring car in 2004 and 2006
★
Jarno Trulli 1995 runner up & 3rd 1996 F3
★
Alexander Wurz 1995
★
Mark Webber 4th 1997
★
Nick Heidfeld 1996
★
Jenson Button 1999 runner up F3
★
Manabu Orido 2001 runner up Guia Touring car
★
Robert Kubica 2004 runner up F3
★
Lewis Hamilton 2004
★
Nico Rosberg 2004
Trivia
★ The Guia course was the setting for the motorcycle race for the 1989 Hong Kong movie
All About Ah Long.
★ 19 out of 22
Formula One drivers from 2007 had participated in Macau F-3 GP.
References
★
Guia Race
★
World Touring Car Championship
External links
★
Official site
العربية
中国
Français
Deutsch
Ελληνική
हिन्दी
Italiano
日本語
Português
Русский
Español
