Macau Grand Prix still excites 60 years on
The 60th Star River Windsor Arch Macau Grand Prix shifts into gear on Saturday as the event marks the historic occasion by spreading its action across two weekends.
"One of the many exciting elements about this year is the opportunity to see features of the grand prix's history, alongside some of today's top drivers and riders, and the motorsport stars of tomorrow," said Macau Grand Prix co-ordinator Joao Manuel Costa Antunes.
This weekend will see six events contested, including the final round of the Audi R8 LMS Cup and a special Porsche Carrera Cup Asia race.
Throughout the sessions it's important not to make any mistakes
Saturday's practice and qualifying will for many drivers be their first taste of the tricky Guia Circuit, including nine-time World Rally Championship winner Sebastien Loeb, who is racing in the Porsche event .
They could do a lot worse than keeping an eye on what Edoardo Mortara gets up to during qualifying for the Audi race.
The Italian carved his own piece of history out of Macau when taking consecutive wins in the event's blue riband F3 race in 2009 and 2010 - the only time the feat has been achieved - and Mortara knows the track inside out.
"Obviously because the R8 is heavier [than the F3], it's more powerful so you go faster on the straights," explained Mortara.
He will be back in action next weekend driving in the City of Dreams Macau GT Cup.
"Both present some nice challenges, both can be fun to drive and challenging. Normally you have a build-up phase, where you try to push more and more through the runs and throughout the sessions and it's important not to make any mistakes and then to reach the maximum you can get from the car in the race."
The weekend's Formula Masters China Series Masters Challenge gives some of the region's top young talent a unique opportunity to test their skills against one of motorsport's famed street circuits in single-seater Formula cars.
The event has special meaning for 16-year-old Andy Chang Wing-chung, who was born and raised in Macau.
"I feel happy to be here," said Chang. "Watching the race last year, I hoped to have an opportunity to race this year and try the track. I think this is an important race and I think all the top drivers should race at least once in Macau. This is really good for gaining experience. You can't make any mistakes. If you make a mistake, then you're finished for the day. I think it's good for concentration," said Chang.
Mortara would agree and the 26-year-old had some special advice for those hitting Macau for the first time.
"For a professional, I think it's very important to take time to learn the track, to learn a little bit about the tricks around here as it can take quite some time," he said. "And when you feel confident, start pushing," Chang said.
This weekend's racing will set the stage for the main events to be held over November 14-17, including the Star River Windsor Arch Formula 3 Macau Grand Prix.
