Macau Grand Prix
The Macau Grand Prix is an event held 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; every year the event gathers more than 300 among racing drivers and riders.
Since 2005, the double header Guia Race for touring cars is also the final race of the FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC).
One of the highlights of the weekend is the Macau Formula 3 Grand Prix, in which 30 national F3 champions take part. Due to the challenging nature of the circuit, which ranges from fast straights to tight hairpins, this Grand Prix is known as one where the most talented drivers emerge. Many Formula One drivers won here earlier in their careers; among them, Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher, David Coulthard and Takuma Sato.
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 amateurish 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 to enter 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. In 2005 the race was upgraded by holding the last race 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. Like its F3 counterpart, 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 currently consists of the Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix, the World Touring Car Championship Guia Race and the Macau F3 Grand Prix. The winner of the Macau Formula 3 Grand Prix is awarded the FIA Intercontinental Formula 3 Cup. In addition, there are the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia race, the Formula Renault 2000 race, the Macau Cup and the Scooter race.
The Guia Circuit
Characteristics: A street circuit with a challenging combination of fast straights and sharp 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
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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 runnrup
- Mika Salo 1990 runnerup
- 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
- Alex 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.