Macao’s annual motorsport spectacular, the Suncity Group 63^rd Macau Grand Prix, will be held from November 17-20. The Macau Grand Prix Organizing Committee (MGPOC) held a press conference today (October 6^th) at Macau Fisherman's Wharf Convention and Exhibition Centre to announce information about the event, including the seven-race line-up and promotional events.

Mr. Pun Weng Kun, President of the Sports Bureau and Coordinator of the Macau Grand Prix Organizing Committee, Mr. Lo Keng Chio, Chairman of the Automobile General Association of Macao-China, Mr. Chong Coc Veng, Co-ordinator of the Sporting Sub Committee of Macau Grand Prix Organizing Committee, Mr. Frédéric Bertrand, FIA Director – Championships on Circuits of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile, Mr. Christian Schacht, President FIA GT Commission of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile and other guests attended the press conference and met the media.

The prestigious Suncity Group Formula 3 Macau Grand Prix has received recognition from the FIA which has elevated the race to the FIA F3 World Cup, the second FIA World Cup event Macao will host after the debut FIA GT World Cup last year. SJM will once again be race title sponsor for the Macau GT Cup – FIA GT World Cup.

Other exciting races include: The Suncity Group Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix – 50^th Edition and the Suncity Group Macau Guia Race 2.0T.

Besides the four main races, CTM will continue to support this year’s event by sponsoring the CTM Touring Car Cup. Other races include the Suncity Group Macau Road Sport Challenge and Suncity Group Chinese Racing Cup. A host of leading drivers will once again compete for victory in Macao.

Tickets may be purchased in Macao via Kong Seng / Macau Ticketing Service at www.macauticket.com, while a full list of outlets may be found on the official website at www.macau.grandprix.gov.mo. Tickets for the event range from MOP50 per day for all grandstands for the Thursday and Friday practice and qualifying sessions, to MOP900 per race day for a seat in the popular Lisboa Stand.

For the added convenience of spectators and residents, seven additional moveable barrier gates – which are opened as soon as racing activities are concluded each day – will be added, making a total of 140 gates. A new temporary pedestrian overpass will be constructed at Lisboa bend to ease entry of the area.

Promotional Events and Commemorative Stamp Issue

A series of events will be held to encourage widespread participation in the celebrations, including the promotional show at Tap Seac Square, where superb racing machinery from the Macau GT Cup and Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix will be on display. Entry is free, giving residents and visitors alike the chance to get an up-close look at some of the cars and motorcycles which will be out on the Guia Circuit.

A series of events will be held during Grand Prix week to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of the iconic Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix, and former winners Mick Grant (1977 and 1984), Steve Plater (2006 and 2007), and Phillip McCallen (1996) will return to Macao as part of the celebrations. An exhibition of classic motorcycles will join the Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix and Macau GT Cup show on November 12 and 13, as well as take part in a parade around the Guia Circuit on Saturday, November 19.

In addition, Macao Post will issue a set of commemorative stamps in honour of the 50^th Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix on November 18. The set of five stamps feature some of the most iconic winners in the history of the event. In addition, a range of commemorative souvenirs have been produced, including T-shirts, gloves, key chains and leather jackets. The merchandise will be on sale at various points around the circuit during the event to promote the Grand Prix.

Other activities include a “Suncity Group 63^rd Macau Grand Prix” photo competition for local photography enthusiasts, a poster design contest where the city’s countless artists and designers can apply their talents to the Grand Prix, while accredited media will be asked to vote for their favourite team of grid girls.

Suncity Group Formula 3 Grand Prix – FIA F3 World Cup

Topping the entry for the Suncity Group Formula 3 Macau Grand Prix – FIA F3 World Cup is two-time Macao champion Felix Rosenqvist, returning to the Guia Circuit to defend his title and attempt to win the Grand Prix for a record-breaking third time. Also amongst the stellar entry are the top talents from the FIA Formula 3 European Championship and Japanese Formula 3 Championship. Alongside Rosenqvist, leading contenders to take FIA F3 World Cup title are German Maximilian Günther, currently second in the European championship and making his Macao debut, and Briton George Russell, who lies third. Japanese F3 champion and Toyota protégé Kenta Yamashita joins Macao’s Andy Chang Wing Chung at the ThreeBond with T-Sport team.

SJM Macau GT Cup – FIA GT World Cup

Two-time and defending Macau GT Cup champion Maro Engel heads an all-star cast for the ninth running of what has become the highlight of the international GT3 calendar. He is joined on the Mercedes-AMG Driving Academy team by Renger van der Zande. Multiple Macao champion Edoardo Mortara is joined on the Audi Sport Team WRT by Laurens Vanthoor, while Porsche enters former Le Mans winner Earl Bamber and Frenchman Kévin Estre. Lamborghini has entered factory driver Mirko Bortolotti and local driver André Couto in a pair of Lamborghini Huracán GT3s.

Audi, Porsche, Mercedes and Lamborghini will fight it out for the FIA GT World Cup title, each fielding two official manufacturer entries. They will be joined on the grid by Ferraris, BMWs, and a Bentley and a Nissan, making up the 24-strong field.

Suncity Group Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix – 50^th Edition

The entry for the Golden Jubilee edition of one of the world’s most respected road races includes riders from eight nations, amongst them no fewer than five former winners, one for each of the five decades of its history: Peter Hickman, winner in 2015; all-time record holder Michael Rutter, who has taken eight Guia Circuit victories; four-time winner Stuart Easton; TT legend John McGuinness; and the inspirational Ian Hutchinson, who arrives in Macao after an extraordinary season of victories.

Suncity Group Macau Guia Race 2.0T

Marking its 45^th edition this year, Macau’s international touring car invitational features a fascinating entry of drivers from as far afield as Europe and as close to home as China. Entries include the world's leading drivers in series run to 2.0T specifications, amongst them last year's winner of Race 2, Stefano Comini of Switzerland, Russian Mikhail Grachev, third in 2015, and leading ‘tin top’ expert James Nash. Joining them are five entries from the China Touring Car Championship, plus selected leading drivers from Asia, Hong Kong and Macao.

Support Races

An important element of Grand Prix week is its support programme, which allows rising talents from around the region to showcase their skills on an international platform. The long-running CTM Macau Touring Car Cup features a 29-car grid which includes 2015 winner Paul Poon Tak Chun of Suncity Racing Team in a Peugeot RCZ. The Suncity Group Road Sports Challenge is another fan favourite due to the diversity of marques and models amongst the 36-strong field, while the Chinese Racing Cup features drivers from Macao, Mainland China, Hong Kong and Chinese Taipei all racing BAIC Motor Senova D70 cars.