From a press release:

38TH MACAU MOTORCYCLE GRAND PRIX – HOTEL FORTUNA TWO-WHEEL KING OF MACAU SET FOR RETURN AS HOTEL FORTUNA TAKES TITLE SPONSORSHIP


Briton Michael Rutter, who notched up his fourth Macau title in six years in 2003, is set for a return to one of the most unique and demanding road races on earth – the 38th Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix – Hotel Fortuna. Testament to the increasing profile of this extraordinary race, it has this year attracted a title sponsor for the first time.

Rutter, fresh from a tremendous year in the British Superbike Championship, which saw him finish the season second on the leaderboard in the highly-competitive series, the 31-year-old will be aboard a 1000cc Honda Racing Team machine for this year’s Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix as he continues his charge to break motorcycle legend Ron Haslam’s unbeaten record of six Macau victories.

However, such is the quality of the entry this year, that Rutter will find it tough to repeat his dominance of the event last year.

On-track arch rival and off-track friend, John McGuinness, who won the event in 2001 and has been runner-up to Rutter for the last two years, will be aboard a 1000cc Monstermob Ducati and no doubt with the determination to break his adversary’s run of wins. The 32-year-old fellow Briton has had a brilliant season, winning the Formula 1 and Junior events at the Isle of Man TT and also competing in the British Superbike Championship winning the Brands Hatch round. In the TT, McGuinness set a new outright lap record.

Britons, with their superior experience on street circuits, have won the Macau event for the last six years, and included in the strong UK contingent is multi-Isle of Man TT winner Ian Lougher and racing journalist Gus Scott who describes the Guia Circuit as “the most challenging and exciting track I have ever ridden on”. Scott, who is making his 6th trip to the Far East Classic and has been competing in the British Superbike Cup this year finishing a creditable 7th, will ride the 1000cc Vodka Kick Slingshot Honda.

Macau regulars Iain Duffus and last year’s third place finisher Brian Morrison have hung up their leathers but the lure of Macau has inspired them to form their own team and bring Macau newcomers Les Shand and Dean Ellison. Other British newcomers include James McBride, Ian Armstrong and Roy Richardson who is mounted on the Fylde Superbikes 636cc Kawasaki.

Returning to Macau after a two-year absence is Scotsman Roger Bennett. Making his 14th visit, Bennett has always sworn to conquer the Guia Circuit, just missing out on a victory in 1996 when he finished second. Bennett won the Scottish Championship in 2002 and 2003 on a 1000cc Suzuki.

The truly international field also includes three of the best riders from the USA includingtwo from the top ten of the 2004 American Superbike Championship. Geoff May made his Macau debut last year, finishing 8th. Geoff is currently 5th in the US Championship ahead of numerous factory entries. Jeremy Toye also debuted in 2003 with 9th place. The newcomer taking on the daunting Macau circuit is Josh Hayes on the factory Kawasaki who currently lies 10th in the American standings.

From Germany comes 32-year-old Markus Barth, making his 7th trip to Macau where he has just missed out on a podium finish twice, but has won the Supersport class. For 2004 he has secured a seat on the second Fylde Superbikes entry, a 1000cc Kawasaki.

Thomas Hinterreiter from Austria, winner of the prestigious BMW Motorrad BoxerCup this year, joins newcomer and countryman Horst Saiger on a pair of 1000cc Yamaha Austria machines.

From Switzerland, making his 5th Macau appearance, comes Marcel Kellenberger on the Bolliger Kawasaki.

After impressive results in the 2004 TT, Jun Maeda will once again fly the flag for Japan on his 954cc Honda Dream Racing bike. The 36-year-old will be making his 4th visit to Macau.

Run alongside the Superbike class is the ultra competitive FIM 600cc class. Due to a change in their model line up, the Triumph factory team will make its swansong in 600cc racing at Macau. The Valmoto entered team are making a real effort to go out with a final victory by securing the services of TT winner Chris Palmer and Macau veteran Callum Ramsay.

Former British 600cc Champion, 21-year-old Stuart Easton returns to Macau for a 3rd time, this year on the 750cc Ducati Coventry machine. Easton has competed in the British Superbike and Supersport Championships this year, and will be looking to add a second Macau 600cc victory to his impressive portfolio

Another 600cc class entry includes German Benny Jerzenbeck on Peter Rubatto’s machine.

Representing Macau on home turf will be Leong Iok Choi, Sou Se Hong and Ip Weng Keong who will make this debut in the Motorcycle Grand Prix.

The 15-lap 38th Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix – Hotel Fortuna moves this year from its traditional early morning Saturday slot to 3:15pm in the afternoon. This will give even more two-wheel racing fans a chance to catch one of the most spectacular – and breathtaking – motorcycle races on the planet.