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THE MACAU GRAND PRIX
Originally conceived in 1954 as an amateur event for local motoring
enthusiasts, the Macau Grand Prix is today a race meeting to which
the world's leading riders and drivers vie for entries. Each November,
Macau wakes up with a jolt as more than 300 racing drivers and riders,
as well as thousands of motor sports fans, descend on the territory
for the world's only street circuit race meeting which features both
car and motorcycle races.
One of the highlights of the weekend is the Macau Formula 3 Grand
Prix, which sees a field of 30 national championship drivers competing
to take the chequered flag. For these young super stars of tomorrow,
a win at Macau can guarantee the driver a place in a top Formula 3000
team or, in the case of exceptional talent, an immediate invitation
to move in to the pinnacle of motor racing, Formula 1. |
The late Ayrton Senna's win here in 1983, the first year Formula 3
ran at Macau, put the Grand Prix firmly on the world-wide motor racing
calendar. F1 World Champion Michael Schumacher quickly established
himself as the hottest property in F1 after his win in 1990, while
David Coulthard's victory the following year brought him to the attention
of the F1 fraternity. More recently, 1999 runner up Jenson Button
jumped from the Macau podium straight to Formula 1, and three-time
Macau Grand Prix competitor Alex Yoong just made his F1 debut.
That Macau's Guia Race for touring cars is unique there is no doubt.
Very few races for this category take place on street circuits, and
none other can boast an entry from so many different national series
for a one-off festival of international touring car racing. This years
event will run to Super Production regulations, and the 2001 race
will see many of the world's front-running cars and drivers line up
on the grid. |
For two-wheel fans the Macao Motorcycle Grand Prix, now in its 35th
year, is always a memorable event. Like its F3 counterpart, the Motorcycle
Grand Prix regularly features a host of Grand Prix and Street Specialist
superstars such as Kevin Schwantz, Carl Fogarty, Didier de Radigues
and Ron Haslam.
In spite of its growth as a motor sports event of international standing,
Macau has not forgotten its roots and there is a full compliment of
support races to cater for the strong interest in motor sport from
local enthusiasts. |
THE GUIA CIRCUIT
Length: 3.8 miles (6.2 km)
Minimum width: 22.8 feet (7 m)
Characteristics: A street circuit with an exhilarating combination
of long, fast straights
and sharply twisting corners. It is recognised as one of the most
demanding circuits in the world.
Formula 3 Lap Record: 2:13.253
(Narain Karthikeyan, 2000/Dallara F300 Mugen Honda)
Motorcycle Lap Record: 2:30.295 (David Jefferies, 2000/1000cc Yamaha)
Guia Race Lap Record: 2:29.253 (Steve Soper, 1997/BMW 320i)
2000 TRACK TRIVIA
Number of races: 10 (2 motorcycle/8 car)
Number of competitors: 312 (Male: 294, Female: 18)
Number of spectators: 21,000 over the two days
Number of observation posts around the circuit: 26
Number of staff 641
Number of security: 60
Number of police: 312
Number of media: 1001 from 237 organisations (24 countries and regions)
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