62nd Macau Grand Prix Gears Up for Spectacular 4 Days
Gentlemen, start your engines: The 62nd Macau Grand Prix fires up this month
The 'Suncity Group 62nd Macau Grand Prix' will be held from 19th to 22nd November, with 228 competitors - including 49 Macau drivers - from 31 countries and regions taking up the multiple challenges of the 4-day racefest on the narrow Guia Circuit. This year, headline races will include the 33rd edition of the FIA F3 Intercontinental Cup, Macau Guia Race 2.0T, FIA GT World Cup, and 49th edition of the Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix, in addition to two support races and celebrity race through the twisting downtown streets and mountain section. Some MOP200 million will have been expended this year on marketing this world famous international series of road races.
The Formula 3 Macau Grand Prix - starting in 1983, and the only FIA Formula 3 Intercontinental Cup in the world - this year pits 28 F3 drivers from 17 countries and regions against each other, including household names like defending champion Felix Rosenqvist of Sweden, bidding to match Edoardo Mortara's record two F3 Macau Grand Prix wins.
Over the past 30 years, eight Formula One World Champions have competed in the famous F3 race here including the legendary Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher and David Coulthard, as well as current F1 superstars Lewis Hamilton, Nico Rosberg, Sebastian Vettel, Valtteri Bottas and Daniel Ricciardo, among others.
Meanwhile, the 49th Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix will field 31 riders from 11 countries and regions with no fewer than four previous winners, all of whom - Stuart Easton, Ian Hutchinson, eight times MGP winner Michael Rutter, and multiple International Isle of Man Tourist Trophy (TT) winner John McGuinness - are some of the biggest names in international road racing.
The Macau Guia Race 2.0T, dating back to 1972, requires the use of a 2-litre Turbo engine and parts that fulfil strict requirements for a level playing field. This year, 'King of Macau' Rob Huff from the UK, a three-time winner at Macau, and Alain Menu will compete for the championship.
While the Macau Grand Prix GT Cup started in 2008, this year will be the first time Macau and the FIA have held the FIA GT World Cup. The first FIA GT World Cup will pit five mighty manufacturers against each other; notably Aston Martin, Audi, McLaren, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche, piloted by 24 drivers from 14 countries and regions.
The remaining four support races comprise the Macau Touring Car Cup, Macau Road Sport Challenge, Chinese Racing Cup and Lotus Celebrity Cup Race.
Founded in 1954, the annual Macau Grand Prix attracts over 200 drivers and many thousands of visitors. For more details of the 62nd Macau Grand Prix, please visit:
www.macau.grandprix.gov.mo/cgpm/home/index.php?lang=en
Festive Events turn Grand Prix into a Party
Residents and visitors out and about in Macau during the four days of the event won't want to miss a minute of the action either, with giant screens positioned around the city broadcasting all the drama live from the race track. The screens will be located at: Rua do Cunha in Taipa, Border Gate Square, Iao Hon Market Park, Senado Square, Rotunda de Carlos da Maia (Three Lamps), Tap Seac Square and Friendship Square. Cable TV Channel 1 and the giant screen at Rua de Pedro Nolasco da Silva will also broadcast Macau Grand Prix action live.
Ensuring a truly inclusive, citywide celebration of the Grand Prix, the Macau Grand Prix Committee (MGPC) is co-operating with Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) via community associations to stage a number of activities such as racing fun days and carnival events. MGTO has scheduled fireworks for the 14th and 22nd November, lighting up the sky with a kaleidoscope of colour and increasing the festive atmosphere throughout Grand Prix month; meanwhile, MGTO and LEGO® have organised the 'Macau x LEGO® Exhibition' at the Macau Science Centre featuring many local scenes including the start line of the Macau Grand Prix Guia Circuit, as well as the Speed Champions Series. In addition, the Rui Cunha Foundation will hold a photographic exhibition during the Grand Prix, while the Association of Macau Restaurant Merchants presents the 15th Macau Food Festival.
Ensuring up-to-the-minute news and images are online all the time, MGPC is fully utilising a wide range of communication channels, including its official website, Facebook, Weibo, MGP apps and a new WeChat account at 'macaugp' providing race schedules, promotion activities, news and events.
For further information, Macau Grand Prix fans can also visit the official Macau Grand Prix website at: www.macau.grandprix.gov.mo/cgpm/home/index.php?lang=en