Macau Grand Prix Support Races

Windsor Arch 56th Macau Grand Prix Support Race Programme

Superb Line-Up of Support Races Guarantees Non-Stop Action

The five races on the Windsor Arch 56th Macau Grand Prix support programme showcase the best of Asian and international motorsport talent, as well as look to the future with some of the region's most promising young drivers. After last year's intense on-track battles, expect more of the exciting non-stop Guia Circuit action in 2009.

Macau GT Cup

Building upon successful debut in 2008, the 2009 invitational Macau GT Cup boasts an impressive field of 36 sportscar drivers who compete across the region and further afield in a superb collection of Grand Touring cars. Famous marques represented include Ferrari, Porsche, Corvette, Lamborghini, Ginetta and BMW.

Inaugural winner and two-time Porsche Carrera Cup Asia champion Darryl O'Young of Hong Kong returns to defend his title in an LKM Racing Porsche 997 GT3 Cup car, as does runner-up last year, Briton Danny Watts, who is competing with Team Road and Track. Japan's Keita Sawa, who took the final podium place in 2008, is back in an SPS Racing Team Lamborghini Gallardo GT3.

However, the trio will face a strong challenge from a number of newcomers to the race, not least of which comes in the form of former Formula 1 driver Alex Yoong, who competes in a Bufori BMS R1 with Axle Motorsport. The Malaysian previously competed three times in the Macau Grand Prix Formula 3 race, as well as in the Guia Race, and has since competed at the highest levels of motorsport - Formula 1, the 24 Hours of Le Mans and A1GP to name just a few.

Drivers of no fewer than 13 different nationalities will line up on the grid for the 10-lap race, to be held on Sunday, November 22.

Macau Road Sport Challenge

With the majority of the competitors from Macau, Hong Kong and Mainland China, the Road Sport Challenge is an exciting opportunity to give some of the region's best novice talent a chance to race road cars on the 6.2 km Guia Circuit.

Last year's Class A and Class B winners, Macau's Sun Tit Fan and Lei Chong Seng, both return to defend their Road Sport Challenge titles, but with 34 other drivers vying for a shot at the podium, exciting on-track battles await.

A wide variety of marques are represented in the race, including BMW, Toyota, Mitsubishi, Subaru, Honda, Nissan, Mazda, and Lotus.

Hotel Fortuna Macau and Hong Kong Interport Race

Sponsored by Macau's Hotel Fortuna, the spectacular showdown between the neighbouring SARs of Macau and Hong Kong is sure to bring about its fair share of on-track action. With Macau having claimed all three podium positions in 2008, the competition will be fierce.

The competitive race sees all entrants qualify for the race through participation in either the Macau Touring Car Championship or the Hong Kong Touring Car Championship, with each of the series' top finishers awarded the coveted positions on the grid in Macau.

CTM Macau Touring Car Race

Long-time race title sponsor, Macau telecommunications operator, CTM, once again continues its support of the Macau Grand Prix, as the popular race will see up to 35 drivers compete from across the region.

First run in 1991, the race attracts drivers from Macau, Hong Kong and Asia, making it a truly regional race.

In 2008, Macau's Chan Man Fong took victory ahead of fellow SAR driver Mak Ka Lok. Mak and third-place winner, Lo Hung Pui of Hong Kong, both return in 2009, each an attempt to win the 2009 edition of the CTM Macau Touring Car Race.

Formula BMW Pacific

Formula BMW is the world's leading single-seater entry level series. Since 2003, Formula BMW Pacific has provided young racing talent with an ideal platform on which to develop their racing skills, and after a successful debut at the 2008 Macau Grand Prix, the series returns again for its season finale on the Guia Circuit.

Formula BMW in Europe has produced four current Formula One drivers and each, Sebastian Vettel, Nico Rosberg, Sebastien Buemi and Adrian Sutil, raced in the Macau Formula 3 Grand Prix on their way to motorsport stardom. Formula BMW alumnus Nico Hulkenberg, who raced in Macau in 2007, is a Formula 1 test driver, while Formula BMW Pacific graduate Daniel Ricciardo will make his Formula 3 Macau Grand Prix debut this year.

Currently leading the Driver Classification is 16-year-old Indonesian Rio Haryanto, with Gary Thompson, 17, hot on his heels, while Formula BMW Pacific Junior scholarship recipient Axcil Jefferies, at just 15, is third on the leaderboard. Several guest drivers from Formula BMW sister series in Europe and the USA ensure a truly international line up for the 10-lap season finale.

by the Macau Grand Prix Committee - October 13, 2009