50th Macau Grand Prix To Make History With Formula 1 Demo On The Guia Circuit

History will be made this November at the 50th running of the Macau Grand Prix when a modern Formula 1 car takes to the legendary Guia street circuit for the first time ever.

It has been confirmed that the Jordan Ford EJ13, piloted by 1996 Macau Grand Prix winner Ralph Firman, will take to the 6.2km track in front of thousands of spectators on November 15 and 16.

The demonstration will form part of a major celebration of the 50th Macau Grand Prix, and also be a fitting tribute to Teddy Yip, who passed away in July this year aged 90. The legendary Ayrton Senna took victory in Macau's first Formula 3 race in 1983 with Yip's fabled Theodore Racing Team, and his contribution to the event over the years is incalculable.

"I have great memories of Macau, particularly as part of Theodore Racing when we ran Ayrton Senna, and I'm very proud to take part in this unique event and further strengthen Jordan's links with China", said Eddie Jordan, Chief Executive of Jordan Grand Prix.

The Macau Grand Prix has long been recognised as a testing ground for future Formula 1 stars, and the roll of honour includes Michael and Ralf Schumacher, David Coulthard, and Jordan Ford driver Firman.

Jordan Grand Prix is known as the colourful, high profile team in Formula 1, and now in its thirteenth year of competing at the top level of motorsport.

The team began life as Eddie Jordan Racing in 1980, and in 1987 took victory in the British F3 Championship with Johnny Herbert. The team's F3000 campaign brought a Championship win in 1989 with Jean Alesi, and a 3rd place finish in 1990, the year Jordan Grand Prix was founded, with Eddie Irvine who competed at Macau several times.

The team's first F1 season the following year resulted in a tremendous 5th place finish in the Championship, with a sterling driver line up of Andrea De Cesaris, Bertrand Gachot, Michael Schumacher, Roberto Moreno, and Allesandro Zanardi. Since then, Jordan Grand Prix has notched up an impressive record and is a household name across the world. This year it is fielding Firman who competed at Macau in 1995, 1996 (the year he won the event), and 1997, and Giancarlo Fisichella, who competed here in 1994.

To mark half a Century of world-class motorsport, the Macau Grand Prix will be held over two weekends in November. The first, November 8 and 9, will highlight the historical aspect of the event. The second, from November 13 to 16, will see the FIA Intercontinental Cup of Formula 3 once again showcase the talents of the world's leading F3 drivers, the famous Guia Race for touring cars with top drivers from across Europe and Asia, and the Macau Motor Cycle Grand Prix for the world's leading road racing specialists. Both weekends include a host of four and two-wheel support races, making up a packed race programme.

To commemorate the Macau Grand Prix Jubilee, Macau has organised a month-long celebration including major sporting, cultural and gastronomic events which is expected to lure visitors from across the globe, and will be the largest and most diverse event the Special Administrative Region of China has staged.

Further information about the 50th Macau Grand Prix, including ticketing and hotel details, can be found at www.macau.grandprix.gov.mo. The Jordan Grand Prix official website is at www.f1jordan.com


Note: This release is issued in Macau and Italy at the same time.

2003-10-16 16:07:34