Since 1988, MST's motorsport timing systems and unrivalled service have supported
the internationally renowed Macau Grand Prix event.
Whilst the four day event comprises a schedule including races for the many local
competitors to showcase their talents, the three main highlights of the Macau Grand
Prix are the following :-
The FIA Formula 3 Intercontinental
Cup - The "Macau Grand Prix"
15th-18th November 2006 will see the 54th Macau Grand Prix event
take place. Since 1954, drivers have raced around the streets of Macau, for
the title of the winner of the Macau Grand Prix, with many notable names taking
honours. The regulations restricting the cars to Formula 3 specification began
in 1983, and continue through to today.
Always a challenging event, the Macau Grand Prix has seen a new, different winner
every year since 1981. 2006 saw a Macau Grand Prix win for British driver
Mike Conway, beating American Richard Antinucci and German Adrian Sutil to the top
step of the podium.
The Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix
The Guia circuit is widely regarded as one of the biggest
challenges on the international motorcycling scene and as with the Formula 3 event
has seen a number of great names in motorcycling sport come to the event and take
the spoils of victory.
2006 saw a big anniversary - the 40th running of the Macau
Motorcycle Grand Prix
- and the possibility for the most dominant rider of
recent times around Macau,
Michael Rutter, to break the record of six wins around the streets, held jointly
with racing legend Ron Haslam. Having been unbeaten since 2002 and after taking
pole position by over two second with a lap averaging just over 92.5mph, this seemed
inevitable, but on the day a superb ride from Steve Plater saw him take the spoils
on the AIM Racing Yamaha, beating Rutter by just under a second to win his first
Macau Motorcycle GP, despite Rutter putting in a race fastest lap even quicker than
his pole position time!
The
Guia Touring Car Race
First run in 1972, the Guia Touring Car race, now also the final
two rounds of the FIA World Touring Car Championship season, sees world-leading
touring car drivers thread their cars through the streets of Macau. Throughout
the years, many manufacturers have been represented in Macau, but by far the most
successful has been BMW, taking 16 wins from the 33 events between 1972 and 2004.
In 2005, BMW again tasted success in Macau, with Andy Priaulx (pictured left) taking the FIA World
Touring Car Championship title in the final race of the year.
Image courtesy of www.fiawtcc.com
2006 saw Priaulx repeat this feat, taking fifth place in the final race of the season,
good enough to win the championship by a single point from fellow BMW driver Jorg
Muller.
Further information on the Macau Grand Prix event can be found at their official
website, at
www.macau.grandprix.gov.mo.