The Macau GP Circuit

[OSFlanker]

BRIEF INTRODUCTION In 1999 when the Sepang F1 track was first opened, I had the opportunity to go round the 5.5km track using less than 1 horsepower and Asics “tyres”. The Larian F1 lasted a couple of years only and only recently did they re-introduce non-motorised sports back onto the F1 track via a bicycle race. So during my recent business trip to Macau, I jumped at the opportunity to run on another Grand Prix circuit, the famous Guia Circuit of Macau. The same sub-1 horsepower engine, New Balance tyres replaced the Asics tyres and a few more kg heavier than in 1999. This is a historic street circuit, the first race being held there in 1954. Until today the track is held in high regards by racing drivers due to the challenging nature of the tight & twisty circuit and the roll call of past winners shows the caliber of drivers who have competed in Macau. FORMULA 3 1983 saw the introduction of Formula 3 racing to the Macau GP and the first winner was none other than the late great Ayrton Senna, with Gerhad Berger finishing 3rd. Notable subsequent winners of the F3 race include Mauricio Gugelmin (1985), David Brabham (1989), Michael Schumacher (1990), David Coulthard (1991), Ralf Schumacher (1995) and Takuma Sato (2001). Interestingly, everyone on the podium of 1990 went on to drive for the Ferrari F1 team : Michael Schumacher (1st), Mika Salo (2nd) and Eddie Irvine (3rd). SALOON/TOURING CAR RACING Although saloon car racing has always been a part of the Macau GP, the 80’s also was a bloom in the quality of the entrants in the touring car race, now named the Guia Race. Past winners of the Guia Race include Hans Stuck (my hero!), Manfred Winkelhock, Roberto Ravaglia (the 1st World Touring Car champion), Emanuelle Pirro (multiple Le Mans winner), Frank Biela, Joachim Winkelhock and Hong Kong’s very own racing legend, Charles Kwan. Indeed the tight & twisty track favours the rear wheel drive BMW and BMW has won the Guia Race 5 times in the 1980’s, 6 times in the 1990’s and 8 times out of the 10 races held from 2000 to 2007 (since 2005 there are 2 races on each race day). The E30 M3 and the E46 320i were particularly dominant, with the E30 M3 sweeping the podium in 1987, 1992 and 1993 and the E46 320i sweeping the podium 2003.

 

[OSFlanker]

As Macau is a street circuit, I can run it anytime of the year. This is the layout of the 6.2km circuit which contains tight and twisty roads at the San Francisco Hill and the Guia Hill sections. The Melco Hairpin at the end of the hill sections is a very tight 1st gear corner, with the cars seeming to be almost stationery when viewed on TV.

The sea front sections are fast with the Mandarin corner taken flat out in top gear. Being a street circuit there aren’t many corners suitable for overtaken, with most of the overtaking being done at the Lisboa corner.

Having obtained the track layout from the Macau GP website (www.macau.grandprix.gov.mo), the only thing to do is to map out my running route. Thankfully, the Macau Tourist Office has ample stock of free maps though it wasn’t easy to trace the track layout onto a tourist map. I guess I just have to follow my instincts when I get onto the tarmac.

 

[OSFlanker]

Having done my race prep, I woke up bright and early the next morning at 6am. To my surprise, the sun was already well up as I am used to seeing darkness at 6:30am in KL.

Since my hotel is situated 15 feet from the Guia Corner, my run will start there instead of the Start/Finish line. The Guia Corner is almost the top of the hill, with Guia Fortress being at the highest point off to the left of the photo.

The start is a gentle downhiller, which is fine with me! With the granite wall on the left and a sharp drop on the right, this is not where a racer would want to lose control of the car.

Further down the hill the scenery is very pleasant, with the reservoir and the sea in view.

The street was much lighter than this but I tot a shot of the sunrise would be nice.

 

[OSFlanker]

There are residences dotted along the circuit, and the yellow/black Armco resembles a snake which is what this circuit is. Make a mistake and you are done for the day.

The rubber laid down by the race cars can be clearly seen in several corners. This also helped me whenever I am in doubt if I am on track.

This is probably the tightest part of the circuit, just enough space for 2 cars.

 

[OSFlanker]

This is the approach to the Melco Hairpin. Even the taxi is struggling to make the very tight turn.

You can’t afford to run too wide as you will leave room for a car to pass you on the inside.

 

[OSFlanker]

The Fishermens’ Bend. I guess in the old days there were really fishermen and fishing boat nearby, as this corner is in the outer harbour area.

This is the reservoir round which the circuit runs. In the background is the Macau Ferry Terminal where boat loads of gamblers come from Hong Kong.

Right after the medium speed Fishermens’ Bend is a medium length straight. After the tight & twisty Guia Hill section and Melco hairpin, the drivers will enjoy the full throttle here.

 

[OSFlanker]

The R-Bend is the last corner of the circuit before the short Start/Finish Straight. A tight right hander, the straight leading up to this corner is not really long enough to enable much overtaking to be done here.

The short Start/Finish Straight with the Grand Prix Building dominating the scene.

This is where the pole sitter….sits, I guess

 

[OSFlanker]

Turn 1 is only 200-300 metres from the start line, and it’s not too tight so not much first corner incidence at Macau.

This is the straight leading to the Mandarin Corner, which is right after the overhead bridge.

The Mandarin Corner is taken flat out at top gear. The cars will come very close to the barriers on the left and those who dares will carry more speed onto the Lisboa Corner.

Instead of using the photo taken during my run, I thought this will be a much better picture of the Lisboa Corner. Braking from top speed, overtaking can be done here.

 

[OSFlanker]

After Lisboa, it’s a long uphill stretch onto San Francisco Hill.

The high torque turbo diesel will make mince meat of this stretch, but not before the hill made mince meat of my thigh muscles!

The road after which this part of the circuit is named. I do agree that corner names are much better than turn numbers. Mandarin, Parabolica, Luffied all sound better than turn 5, turn 9 and turn 10.

This photo will give a better sense of the gradient.

 

[OSFlanker]

My hotel is near which means my lap of the circuit will come to an end soon.

More racing lines on the road. This little S-bend leads to the Guia Corner, which is right at the end of the stonewall on the left.

1 hour and 3 minutes to cover the 6.2km, with numerous photo stops on the way. Lap record is 2 minutes 11.744 seconds in a F3 car, and 2 minutes 29.536 seconds for a touring car (Steve Soper in a BMW back in 1997). Next time I will run the circuit and set my own benchmark.

2 GP circuits completed on foot, and I am now on the look out for more GP circuits to run. Maybe Philips Island? Or Pau in France and of course, Monte Carlo. This little run has provided motivation for me to return to Macau in November. Okow, you will be hearing from me soon! Thanks for viewing.

 

[ALBundy]

Whoa...excellent set of photos and very detailed description of the whole circuit!!

Cheers

 

[Juan Powerblow]

No girls wan!

 

[OSFlanker]

No girls wan!

Girls.....just go to the Yellow Pages and they are available 24 hours in Macau but you won't see them on the Guia Hill at 6:30am......

 

[OSFlanker]

The BMW E30 M3 in the Grand Prix Museum :

Pirro now drives for Audi Le Mans team :

 

[OSFlanker]

Schumacher gets his own stand in the museum :

 

[OSFlanker]

So does Senna :

 

[Daredevil]

Holy cow....Macau looks dead man.... the photo taken from a building next to Lisboa Hotel...was that taken from our friend's office? Looks familiar...heheh...

 

[anaksarawak]

Nice report! Look forward to watch the GP on TV and see how the highspeed run around the small road of Macau

 

[ah lian]

what a nice track.
come and do the singapore fi track this weekend with me. i'll hold the towels and water for you along the way lar. hee hee...

 

[XXX]

wah! os you really very free..but good job nevertheless.