2013 Macau GP: witness a historical 60th race over two weekends

Started in 1954, the Grande Premio De Macau will be running the 60th installment of the only Grand Prix circuit to hold both cars and motorbike races on the very same weekend.

 

Held in the tiny gambling mecca of the China Special Administrative Region, the 2013 Macau GP kicks off this weekend at the Guia Circuit. Showcasing the superbikes, WTCC, F3 cars, and the local CTM cup, and GT cup races. The 6.2 kilometer track is known for its tight and twisty layout, and having a minimum track width of only seven meters. To put this into perspective, this is barely the standard width of a two lane street. Thus racing in Macau not only requires skill, and fast reflexes but also a huge amount of luck, the kind needed that when you make a mistake and hit the barriers, you can still walk away from it all.

 

The first ever fatality at the famed circuit was our very own double champion (1962, 1963), Arsenio “Dodjie” Laurel, who lost control of his car and crashed into the barrier; prompting circuit officials to push for more safety improvements for the race. Despite of the specter of death hanging over them, drivers, racers still troop to Macau to take part in the annual competition. Notable names enshrined in the Macau GP hall of fame are those of Hakkinen, Coulthard, Schumacher, and Senna. To this day the Macau GP is still recognized to be the best stepping stone for any driver to land a seat in the upper formulas; win in Macau and your name will be forever etched in history.

 

Traditionally, the Macau GP takes place one weekend in Novmeber, but to celebrate the 60 years since its inception, this year the event will be spread out into two weekends. November 9 and 10 will feature the Porsche Carrera Cup, the Audi R8 Le Mans series, the local Macau Hong Kong Interport Race, the Lamborghini Super Trofeo and the CTM Macau Touring Car cup.

 

On November 14-17 it will be the turn of the big boys, the FIA WTCC Guia race of Macau, the Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix and Formula 3 Macau GP.

 

While the race schedules may be unusual to some, it would make perfect sense to the organizers, to the Macau Tourism Board and other government agencies to spread out the event. With this the event can accommodate more people, and generate additional revenue for the vendors, hotels and local businesses.

 

If you are a fan of any motorsport, the 60th Grande Premio De Macau is an event not to be missed. And, if you listen hard enough, it might just be calling out to you.