Sports Bureau (ID) President Pun Weng Kun announced yesterday that the 70th Macau Grand Prix (MGP) on November 11-12 and November 16-19 had been budgeted at about 260 million patacas.
The six-day, 11-race event will comprise the Macau Asia Formula 4, Greater Bay Area GT Cup, TCR Assia Challenge and Macau Roadsport Challenge on November 11-12, while the Formula 3 Macau Grand Prix-FIA Formula 3 World Cup, Macau GT Cup-FIA GT World Cup, Macau Guia Race-TCR World Tour Final, 55th Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix, Macau Touring Car Cup and Macau 70th Anniversary Challenge races have been slated for November 16-19 – including practice and qualifying races on November 16-17.
Last year’s four-day MGP had a budget of about 180 million.
Pun made the remarks in a speech during a press conference at the Macau Science Centre in Nape.
Pun added that one support race was still in the process of negotiation with the relevant race promoter at the time of the press conference and, therefore, the race’s details could only be announced later.
Pun said he believed that the event across two weekends and its outreach activities will further strengthen the “synergistic” effect of the Grand Prix, expanding the development potential of Macau’s sport and tourism in a bid to enhance the social and economic benefits of sporting events.
Pun pointed out that the Grand Prix, which “is of vital importance in enhancing Macau’s international visibility and its image as a tourist destination, as well as in bolstering the sustainable development of local sport tourism”, aims to attract tourists to Macau’s “vibrant side” as a city of sporting events, benefiting “the entire city in sport, tourism, economic and other terms through its synergistic effect”.
Macau’s six integrated resort (IR) operators will serve as the major sponsors of this year’s Grand Prix, with each sponsoring 20 million patacas, according to Pun, who said the bureau expected to continue using sporting events as a platform and hosting sporting tourism projects with the industry operators to attract international visitors with their respective resources and advantages in promotion campaigns, in order to “practically” propel the coordinated development of the integrated tourism and leisure and sport industries, while also opening up more business opportunities for the industry and local small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
MGP to welcome world’s top racers
Meanwhile, speaking to the media after the press conference, Pun noted that at least 150 racers will compete in the 11 races, with some of them, he said, could be expected to be the world’s top racers. He did not elaborate.
When asked by a reporter about the registered number of local drivers competing in the races, Pun said that the number could only be confirmed after registration, adding that he expected the number to be in the double digits. He also said that the bureau has always supported local drivers and riders preparing for the annual Grand Prix, adding that with the return of the FIA Formula 3 World Cup to Macau this year, more local racers should compete in the 11 races.
In order to celebrate the 70th anniversary, a fun run round the world-famous Guia street circuit will be held in the first week of November, Pun noted.
Concerning traffic jams occurring during every Grand Prix period, Pun said that the organising committee would strive to create better conditions for residents to travel more easily, adding that although residents’ mobility during the Grand Prix needed to be “slightly different” to their usual habits, he believed that “residents will understand and be willing to support the event” as the Grand Prix has brought Macau a positive reputation internationally.
In conjunction with the Transport Bureau (DSAT) and the Public Security Police (PSP), the Sports Bureau will, as in previous years, coordinate the traffic arrangements for the 6-day event, Pun said, adding that movable gates will be set up around the circuit during the period if conditions permit, so as to facilitate vehicular traffic.
Pun said: “Macau is so small and I hope everyone gets used to green travel”, i.e., walking or by using public transport.
Meanwhile, according to Pun, the Sports Bureau has drafted a plan to build a temporary facility on the rooftop of a garage opposite the Grand Prix Building and near the paddocks, to serve as a media centre during the upcoming event, hoping to optimise the event’s facilities in all aspects, with the 70th Grand Prix as a starting point.
Sports Bureau (ID) President Pun Weng Kun speaks to reporters after yesterday’s press conference about the upcoming 70th Macau Grand Prix, at the Macau Science Centre in Nape. – Photo: Yuki Lei
