Macau Motorsports Drivers and Riders Association President Lei Kit Meng told reporters yesterday during a press conference at The Plaza Restaurant in Zape he expected the number of local racers competing in the upcoming 70th Macau Grand Prix (MGP) to be down by 60 percent due to the suspension of the funding programme for local racers to compete outside Macau this year.
The funding programme, which is organised by the public Macau Foundation (FM), aims to support local riders and drivers to participate in international races, so that they can acquire the necessary experience to hone their skills.
According to Lei, his group was notified by the Automobile General Association Macao-China in March that local racers will no longer be subsidised for racing outside Macau, which he described as “destroying the opportunities for locals to participate in motorsports”.
Lei said that in order to participate in the Grand Prix, all local racers are required to compete in trials held outside the city, adding that due to the suspension of the subsidies, he estimated that fewer than 20 drivers have the “financial resources” to qualify for this year’s Grand Prix.
Lei pointed out that in the past the government has supported and subsidised local racers to take part in competitions and exchange activities outside Macau, which has allowed many local drivers and riders to garner podium positions in the Grand Prix.
“The scheme had been successful for more than 10 years”, Lei said, adding that thanks to the subsidies, the number of local racers interested in taking part in the Grand Prix had increased from 10 to over 100, and about 40 of them were eligible to compete in the Grand Prix each year.
Consequently, Lei said he hoped that the government would consider reinstating the funding programme to increase the opportunities for local participants to “bring glory” for Macau.
Meanwhile, in response to Chinese-language media enquiries, the Sports Bureau (ID) said yesterday that it has always “hoped” to continue supporting local racers to compete in the annual Macau Grand Prix, if conditions permit, adding that the programme for this year was still being studied.
The bureau also said it welcomed all local racers to take part in the annual Grand Prix, as long as they meet the respective races’ entry requirements.
Macau Motorsports Drivers and Riders Association President Lei Kit Meng speaks to reporters during yesterday’s press conference about the government’s funding programme for local racers at The Plaza Restaurant in Zape. – Photo: Yuki Lei
