Fast times guaranteed on and off the Guia Circuit at the Macau Grand Prix
Macau Grand Prix's 60th anniversary means thrills both on and off the track, writes Mathew Scott
wonder what Eduardo de Carvalho would make of it if the Portuguese driver could hop in his old Triumph sports car and drive around Macau as it is today.
Sixty years ago, De Carvalho was the toast of the town, the first winner of the grand prix that celebrates its diamond anniversary this weekend and next, with activities on and off the famed Guia Circuit.
De Carvalho's moment of glory came after local motoring enthusiasts thought they'd plan a treasure hunt. They ended up with the Macau Grand Prix.
It's amazing how far the race - and the city - has come in the six decades since. The Grand Prix has established itself as a testing ground for future champions, with the likes of Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher having tackled and won the event before going on to be crowned world Formula One champions.
The city has evolved from a quaint and relatively quiet Portuguese-administered enclave into one of the fastest growing tourism, entertainment and, of course, gaming destinations in the world.
Development continues at an astonishing rate, fuelled by casinos that add about 95 billion patacas (HK$90.5 billion) to the coffers and attract about 28 million tourists annually.
The Macau Grand Prix is still a drawcard, attracting about 65,000 spectators each year and injecting US$5 million into the economy. For lovers of high-octane fun, there are few events like it.