Introduction

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. 1999 runner up Jenson Button jumped from the Macau podium straight to Formula 1, and three-time Macau Grand Prix competitor Alex Yoong also made his F1 debut. More recently, Takuma Sato also made the jump from Formula 3 to Formula 1 directly.

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 2000 regulations, and the 2005 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 37th 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: 2:12.801 (Lewis Hamilton, 2004/Dallara Mercedes-HWA)

Motorcycle Lap Record: 2:28.233 (Michael Rutter, 2003 /998cc Ducati)

Guia Race Lap Record: 2:29.253 (Steve Soper, 1997/BMW 320i)

Today

The Macau Grand Prix currently consists of the Motorcycle Grand Prix, the World Touring Car Championship and last but not least, the Macau Formula 3 Grand Prix. A worldwide Touring Car championship organized by the FIA. Originally started in 1987 as a step forward from the long running ETCC (European Touring Car Championship) in a Group A format, with races held in Bathurst and Mount Fuji. ...

The winner of the Macau Formula 3 Grand Prix is awarded the FIA Inter-continental Formula 3 Cup. A number of drivers have moved on from Macau Formula 3 Grand Prix winner to Formula 1, including Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumahcer, David Coulthard, Takuma Sato...etc.

The Guia Race in Macau is an international touring car race. In 2005 the race has been upgraded to be the final round of the FIA World Touring Car Championship.

In addition, there are the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia race, the Formula Renault 2000 race, the Macau Cup race and the Scooter race.