Macau to Host the First FIA GT World Cup amongst Dazzling Line-Up
The Macau Grand Prix Committee (MGPC) today unveiled the most impressive line-up in event’s six-decade history. The race programme for the November 19 to 22 Suncity Group 62nd Macau Grand Prix features no fewer than four prestigious, international headline races: the Suncity Group Formula 3 Macau Grand Prix – FIA F3 Intercontinental Cup; the SJM Macau GT Cup – FIA GT World Cup; the Suncity Group Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix – 49th Edition; and the Suncity Group Macau Guia Race 2.0T, in addition to three support races.
The celebrated Formula 3 Macau Grand Prix – FIA F3 Intercontinental Cup, first won by Ayrton Senna in 1983, and ever since firmly established as the finest talent showcase for future F1 stars, returns for its 33rdedition. Thirty of the world’s best young open-wheel drivers will be invited to take on the mighty Guia Circuit, regarded as the ultimate test of driver skill, courage and intelligence.
Mr. Frederic Bertrand, Director Circuit Championships Department/FIA General Secretary for Sport commented that Formula 3 has always been very successful in Macau, and that today the category is also healthy in both Japan and Europe. Bertrand stated that he believes this year’s FIA F3 Intercontinental Cup will once again attract a strong entry and be a great show.
A spectacular success on its debut in 2008, the Macau GT Cup instantly attracted the attention of the world’s foremost GT car manufacturers as well as the leading names in international sportscar competition. This year, Macau’s remarkable achievements receive recognition of the highest order, with the city awarded the first FIA GT World Cup. That the newest world cup created by the sport’s global governing body is for GTs reflects the enormous popularity of this category of racing, and Macau’s selection as host for the inaugural event illustrates the city’s role in promoting its reputation.
As in previous years, the SJM Macau GT Cup – FIA GT World Cup is for GT3-homologated sportscars, and driver eligibility and format details will be announced at a later date by Macau and the FIA. However, what is already assured is an historic moment this November when the greatest automobile names in GT competition, along with its most successful teams and accomplished drivers, assemble in Macau to contest the world’s first FIA cup for the burgeoning racing category.
Mr. Christian Schacht, President of the GT Commission, who is visiting Macau for meetings with the MGPC, commented that Macau was the ideal venue for the new FIA cup and together, the FIA and MGPC aim to create a unique event, as successful as the well-established Formula 3 Macau Grand Prix.
As it approaches its half Century as one of the most celebrated – and respected – road races on earth, the Suncity Group Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix – 49th Edition is guaranteed to provide plenty of white-knuckle competition as the world’s leading road and endurance specialists brush the famous Macau Armco barriers at speeds of up to 280kph. Regarded as one of the greatest motorcycle street races, the event is attracting an increasingly international field each year.
Since its creation in 1972 as a race for modified production cars, Macau’s famous Guia Race has become celebrated as an unrivalled end-of-season showstopper for international touring cars. Evolving through the decades along with the development of the automobile, the Guia Race has long been one of the Grand Prix’s most popular fixtures due to the fascinating diversity of its cars and drivers.
This year, the Suncity Group Macau Guia Race 2.0T will once again be run as two races of 10 laps each, with two-litre turbocharged touring cars – such as those used in the new TCR International Series – eligible to enter. Entry will be at the invitation of the MGPC, looking at the popularity of the new series and the affordability of the cars.
While the leading touring car drivers from around the world will be looking for a place on the Guia Race grid, Asia’s finest will do battle in the ever-popular CTM Macau Touring Car Cup. The Macau Road Sport Challenge, which last year featured cars by ten different manufacturers, is back for the eighth year, while the new, 10-lap Suncity Lotus Celebrity Cup Race will add an extra dash of star power to the four-day motorsport carnival.
Preparations for the Suncity Group 62nd Macau Grand Prix are already well underway, with emphasis once again placed on both safety and the training of event personnel. With the Grand Prix’s success and reputation wholly dependent upon the support of local residents, the professionalism and competence of Macau’s marshals and race officials enjoys the official recognition of the FIA.
Six Marshal training courses, will be organized by the Automobile General Association Macao-China (AAMC) between April and June, with a total of 720 participants. An FIA seminar will be held in June, with an FIM seminar following in August. In October, FIA doctors will visit Macau to conduct Rescue training.
With a race programme of unprecedented stature, the assurance of the finest international and regional drivers from the worlds of open-wheel, sports and touring car competition, and the bravest, most skilled road and endurance motorcycle riders on earth, the Suncity Group 62nd Macau Grand Prix is guaranteed to be nothing short of sensational.