The Hong Kong Automobile Association has clinched a berth at next month's Macau Grand Prix for the inaugural race of a new grassroots series.
The first HKAA Roadsports event will be staged on October 8 and 9 - the opening weekend of 50th anniversary events at the Guia circuit - creating a lower-level entry point for Hong Kong enthusiasts.
'It's a series designed for road-going sports and GT cars and it's designed to keep costs down and make the sport affordable,' said HKAA chief executive Andrew Windebank. 'They have to run with all the interiors, including carpets - it's not for stripped-out racers.'
The race will count as the first event of the 2004 Roadsports Series. The HKAA has already had enough inquiries to fill the 36-car grid in Macau.
The AA hopes that by reducing the start-up costs they can start to develop a string of young talent that might one day represent Hong Kong on a bigger stage. They also suggest the race could prove the start of a competition that helps reduce the number of boy racers terrorising road users. 'This is part of our ongoing initiative to assist the police and the authorities to stamp out road racing in Hong Kong,' Windebank said. 'We want people to race in a safe environment where they can learn about car control and not endanger citizens by racing on the road.'