Sports Bureau (ID) President Pun Weng Kun told reporters after yesterday’s press conference about the 69th Macau Grand Prix (GP), which will take place on November 17-20, that there will be seven races, including the Motorcycle GP which has been suspended for two years, adding that this year’s event was budgeted at about 180 million patacas.
Pun said at the Macao Science Centre in Nape that the event will comprise the following races – Sands China Formula 4 Macau Grand Prix, Galaxy Entertainment Macau GT Cup, Wynn Macau Guia Race, MGM Macau Touring Car Cup, Melco Greater Bay Area GT Cup, SJM Macau Roadsport Challenge and the 54th Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix – with more than 170 racers from the mainland, Hong Kong, Macau and Europe, pointing out that about 10 overseas motorcycle riders were expected to compete in the race.
Pun also said that the bureau was coordinating with the overseas racers and their teams travel arrangements, as they would have to undergo COVID-19 medical observation at quarantine hotels according to the Health Bureau’s guidelines, adding that the bureau would try to arrange a “comfortable” environment for them so that they could remain in “good condition” after their quarantine.
When reporters asked whether drivers, riders and their teams would be given subsidies for their quarantine, Pun said that the bureau was still in discussion with the teams so the decision had not yet been finalised. However, Pun said he hoped that “more racers will come to Macau”.
Pun said that the Grand Prix could promote Macau’s development of sports tourism, thereby boosting all aspects of the economy. He also said he was confident that the event could drive the flow of visitors to the city.
According to a Macau Grand Prix Organising Committee (MGPOC) statement handed out during yesterday’s press conference, six of the seven races for the 69th Macau Grand Prix will each be sponsored by one of Macau’s six gaming operators. Senior executives from the six companies attended yesterday’s press conference. The statement noted that Macau Industrial Ltd. will be the beverage sponsor.
The statement said that tickets will be sold from today, with tickets for the qualifiers on November 17-18 priced at 50 patacas, while tickets for the race days on November 19 and 20 are priced from 400 to 1,000 patacas based on the seating area, adding that those who purchase two or more tickets in the same spectator stand on either race day on November 19-20 enjoy a 30 percent discount, while students holding a valid student card can also purchase tickets at a discounted price of 100 patacas.
The statement pointed out that tickets can be bought at 17 sales points in Macau, Hong Kong and the mainland, or by telephone, email, mobile application or online.
Meanwhile, three events surrounding the Grand Prix, comprising the Family Carnival and the 69th Macau Grand Prix Car Show will place in Praça do Tap Seac on November 5-6 and November 12-13 respectively, as well as a Grand Prix-themed creative art activity exhibition, which will be held at the Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) Gallery in Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro next Monday until November 20, according to the statement.
The statement said that those interested in participating in the Family Carnival can register online from 10 a.m. next Monday to 6 p.m. next Saturday, while the Grand Prix opening ceremony will take place at 3 p.m. on November 12 in Praça do Tap Seac.
The statement underlined that the MGPOC will continue to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic situation and make arrangements for its prevention according to the Health Bureau’s (SSM) guidelines.
Details of the event can be found at www.macau.grandprix.gov.mo and on relevant mobile applications or the MGP’s Facebook page, WeChat and Weibo accounts.
Sports Bureau (ID) President Pun Weng Kun talks to reporters after yesterday’s press conference about the 69th Macau Grand Prix at the Macao Science Centre in Nape.
– Photo: Yuki Lei
