Macau's karting coup

Macau's reputation as the birthplace of future Formula One stars will be further enhanced next month with the staging of the CIK-FIA World Karting Championship.

More than 100 of the world's leading young karters will come to the home of the world-famous Macau Grand Prix to compete for the championship crown at the Kartodromo de Macau on Coloane (October 9-11).

It is an historic step forward for Macau organisers and a major coup for the Macanese government because the world championship has never been held in Asia.

Macau hosts the annual Macau Grand Prix, featuring the FIA Formula 3 Intercontinental Cup, two rounds of the FIA World Touring Car Championship, and the Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix. It has also staged numerous other international sporting events, such as the 2005 East Asian Games and the 2007 Asian Indoor Games.

The world championship represents another feather in Macau's cap with the CIK-FIA Karting Asia-Pacific KF3 Championship to be held concurrently, as well as a number of support races. Chong Coc Veng, president of Automobile General Association Macau-China, said the city had earned a glowing reputation for hosting major motorsports.

'The CIK-FIA recognises the importance of Asia-Pacific as an emerging force in motorsport, and we are honoured they regard Macau as a regional hub for international sporting events,' said Chong.

'It is a fantastic coup to be selected and to have Macau's expertise and experience recognised.'