As the six-day 70th Macau Grand Prix (MGP) came to a close yesterday, The Macau Post Daily spoke to five of the spectators at the Reservoir Stand, with some noting how much they liked the event.
Attracting some of the best drivers in the world
A British man surnamed Jones spoke highly of the event, with yesterday marking the 11th time that he’s come to watch it. “It’s fantastic. It’s an international event and it attracts some of the best drivers in the world for their age groups”, with the Formula 3 race having always been his favourite part while also praising his compatriot Luke Browning, who went on to win the race later that day.
The 60-year-old added that the event is special as it brings together the top talents to compete, has phenomenal cars, and a good location. “Macau is such a beautiful and brilliant place, and for them to drive a unique circuit like this is just amazing”.
“Greats have driven here [Guia Circuit] in the past so if you can win here, then you are putting yourself amongst them”, he added. Jones also talked about the first time he felt a “buzz” and sense of excitement when he first came to Macau and saw the track being prepared. “I’ve been to Monaco and the Indie 500 and all sorts of places. But in some ways, Macau is my favourite circuit”.
Beyond just watching TV
Wanting to get an up-close experience, Wong, a 36-year-old Hongkonger living in Macau, said that she came to the MGP to enjoy the race atmosphere, see this year’s racers and experience the event beyond what one can see on television. Moreover, she said that seeing international racers come back to the city makes it more “international, exciting, dynamic and lively”. However, Wong said she hoped that future renditions of the event would have more food and beverage stations available for the spectators.
Last year, this year and the next
Meanwhile, local high school students Kuan, Vienna, Law and Chim said that they all enjoyed the event. The students, all aged 15, said that the MGP was a great event, adding that having more people attending it this year made it livelier, despite how crowded it was. The girls said that they would be coming to the races again next year, just as they did this year and the last.
Not an easy circuit
A female tourist from Fujian, surnamed Gao, said that she found the ticket prices to the MGP reasonable, adding it was a pity that she failed to buy the ticket for the Lisboa Bend Stand. She visited the event both Saturday and yesterday when she watched the races at a Grand Stand and Reservoir Stand respectively. According to the MGP website, tickets for Grand Stand A and B, as well as Reservoir Stand during the last two racing days on Saturday and yesterday cost 600 patacas, 750 patacas and 400 patacas respectively, while the admissions to the Lisboa Bend Stand were priced at 1,000 patacas.
When asked about her views on the MGP, Gao said that it was not easy for racers to finish Macau’s Guia Circuit, with its narrow roads and a lot of bends. This was the first time that Gao had been to watch the Macau Grand Prix. In order to get more insight into the event, Gao said that she had been to the Macau Grand Prix Museum in Zape during her five-day trip before watching the races.
The experience was ‘not good’
A father and son, surnamed Ho, from Hong Kong, said that it was the first time they had come to watch the Macau Grand Prix races, adding that their experience of the event was “not good” due to a number of the rules set by the MGP organisers for the spectators. The father said: “We are not allowed to stand up during the races, which restricted us a lot,” pointing out that the scale for the Grand Prix was smaller than he thought. His underage son described the Macau Grand Prix as “boring” and “noisy”. Speaking to The Macau Post Daily yesterday afternoon, the Hos said that they would visit the Macau Grand Prix Museum after the event finished in the early evening.
Spectators look on and wave at the livestream cameras as they wait for the interrupted F3 race to continue.
– Photo: Rui Pastorin
