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December 2006 |
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Conway scores victory in Macau Grand Prix |
British Formula 3 champion Mike Conway won the Polytec Macau Formula Three Grand Prix, and was clearly delighted with the victory. "I am very happy with this result," he said, but he admitted to "a heart-stopping moment" when his car touched a wall surrounding the track.
The 53rd Macau Grand Prix brought an awesome collection of men and machines once again to the Guia Circuit November 16-19 for some of the best in single-seater, touring car and two-wheel motorcycle road racing to be found anywhere on earth.
The Macau Grand Prix is an exciting event for racing champions as well as fans. "Macau rates right up there with the best races and tracks in the world," according to motorcycle racer John Mc Guinness. Six-time champion Michael Rutter confessed, "Macau will always have a very special place in my heart."
In this year's FIA World Touring Car Championship race, BMW team's Andy Priaulx took his second successive world crown. Priaulx claimed it was the "hardest and best" race of his career.
"It is almost too much to take in," said Priaulx." The pressure was unbearable. I could not have gone another lap. It means a lot more to me now having won the first race."
Plater bests favorite
Steve Plater emerged triumphant from a record-breaking Rio Hotel Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix to take victory. Plater, on the AIM Racing Yamaha 1000, passed Michael Rutter, the pre-race favorite, on lap four and stayed out ahead of his rival until the checkered flag.
Rutter's teammate Ian Hutchinson finished third, twenty seven seconds down on the race winner, and Scot Stuart Easton, a third member of the Stobart Motorsport Honda squad, was fourth home, five seconds behind Hutchinson but only a tenth of a second ahead of another British racer, Guy Martin on the second AIM Racing Yamaha.
Macau driver takes Fortuna trophy
Macau's Chan Man Fong started on pole position and was still in front at the finish to win the Hotel Fortuna Trophy. Chan, driving a Honda Integra DC5, completed his 10 laps in 29:03.541.
"I've been waiting 12 months for this and it's great to win," he said. "My time is slower than the one I did last year because the circuit is a bit bumpy, but I'm just glad to get the win."
Two other Macau Honda Integra DC5 drivers, Chong Kin Wa and Helder de Assunção filled second and third place respectively.
A first win for Chan
Starting third on the grid did not stop Hong Kong's Chan Wing Shiu winning the Macau 2007 – 2nd Indoor Games Cup. The Hong Kong driver raced to victory in his Honda Integra DC5. "Even though there were two cars in front of me on the grid, I just told myself to go on," Chan said.
Memorable victory for Poon
A tremendous battle between race leaders Kenneth Look and Paul Poon ended with Poon clinching a memorable victory in the CTM Silver Jubilee Cup, with Eurico de Jesus of Macau finishing third.
The race was stopped with a lap to go after a five-car pile-up, giving victory to Poon: "It's my first time to win the trophy. My start wasn't so good but I tried to get close to the leader and wait for a chance," Poon said. "It was a tough race and Kenneth defended well but when he gave me a chance I took it."
Macau residents make a showing
In the 4th MGPC Scooters Cup for Macau residents, Lai Kit Chau raced to victory in a Yamaha JOR ZR CV 50ZR. He finished 2.141 seconds ahead of his compatriot Ip Weng Keong riding a Piaggio ZIP 50SP 2T A/T, while in third was Lio Kin Chong aboard a Yamaha JOR ZR CV 50ZR.
Classics and collectables on display
In what will be a fitting celebration of 40 years of thrilling motorcycle action on the Guia Circuit, the Macau Grand Prix Committee has teamed up with the "Classic Auto-cycle Museum" Club of Hong Kong (CAM) to assemble a collection of 60 Classic and collectable motorcycles.
Forty of these fascinating motorcycles took part in a Lap of Honour, scheduled for 2:30pm on Saturday, November 18, just prior to the start of the race, and a 3-lap Parade at 2:15pm on Sunday. The motorcycles were ridden by former Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix winners: Kevin Schwantz (former World Champion and winner in Macau in 1988); "Rocket" Ron Haslam (six-time Macau winner); Didier de Radigues (Macau champion in 1991); TT hero Mick Grant who took two Macau victories in the 1970's and 80's; and Peter Rubatto (multiple Macau runner-up).
Representing the present-day heroes were Michael Rutter, John McGuinness and Australian rider Cameron Donald. They joined motorcycles ridden by members of the CAM to make up forty bikes and riders representing each year of the event.
Other examples of these motorcycles from a bygone era were on display during Grand Prix week in Macau at Senado Square and Fisherman's Wharf, including some pre-Macau GP vintage machines such as the 1924 Sunbeam Model 5, which is the oldest known motorcycle in Southeast Asia. |
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Note: All information is correct at the time of printing.
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