Fast, furious and famished

THE 49TH MACAU Grand Prix next weekend will draw crowds to the Guia circuit, but there are plenty of tasty attractions off the track as well.

Let's start with some fine food. Pinocchio's (tel: [853] 827128) is an old favourite on Taipa Island, but locals say it's worth reserving a table at A Lorcha on Rua do Almirante Sergio (tel: [853] 313193) because it could be full during the Grand Prix. Restaurante Litoral (tel: [853] 967878) serves fine food and it is also close to the well-presented Maritime Museum. If you want something more colonial, try the Clube Militar de Macau (tel: [853] 714000), which is walking distance from Hotel Lisboa on Avenida de Praia Grande. Although Hong Kong Foreign Correspondents' Club members get a discount, anyone can enter this fine, old-style Portuguese building which sports several restaurants and bars.

If you want something a bit more sophisticated - and pricey - pop along to the Pousada de Sao Tiago (tel: [853] 378111) for a pre-dinner drink. This 23-room boutique hotel is built in an old fort and retains much of the splendour of a bygone age. The hotel also has a quality restaurant, but don't expect Macau prices. For those, go to the famous Fernando's restaurant (tel: [853] 328264) on Hac Sa beach on Coloane. If Fernando himself is in residence, forget looking over the menu and just ask for his recommendations. He is rarely wrong.

If the Grand Prix gets you in the mood for racing of your own, head to the Macau Kart Track. Built by the Macau government and managed by the Macao Motorsports Club, the track is located on the reclaimed land opposite Seac Pai Van Park on Coloane. It has floodlights, a choice of seven circuits and paddocks for more than 200 karts. On Fridays it is open from 11am to 11.30pm, from 10am to 11.30pm on Saturdays and 10am to 9.30pm on Sundays. A free shuttle bus service is provided from the ferry terminal to the track and drives cost $100 for 10 minutes and $180 for 20 minutes. Also on Coloane is the Westin Resort Macau (tel: [853] 871 111) where there is a taxing 18-hole, par-71 golf course. This course is not for the wayward golfer because the fairways are narrow and the sea breeze wreaks havoc. Then there is always the scenic Ocean Driving Range.

At night, bar-hopping becomes the preferred form of entertainment and in your travels you might bump into one of the drivers or riders.

The Mandarin Oriental hotel (tel: [853] 567888) should attract a few competitors to its First German Beer Festival next weekend, where, the word is, 15,000 litres of Jever beer await thirsty petrol-heads. And with the Macau Fringe 2002 in full throttle, there's plenty to do across the estuary. Alternatively, you can still tune into RTHK's Radio 3, which will broadcast live updates from Macau every hour. Star TV will also show highlights of the main race next Sunday at 5.30pm.