A total of 43 kart racers from 16 countries and regions across the junior and senior categories will be vying for top prizes at this weekend’s “2026 FIA Karting Arrive and Drive Asia-Pacific Championship” at the Coloane Karting Track, with the circuit welcoming its first FIA karting event since 2016.
The track had also previously hosted FIA Karting World Championship rounds back in 2009 and 2012.
The Asia-Pacific Championship is the second of the tri-continental Arrive and Drive Championships this year, concluding in October with the 2026 FIA Karting Arrive and Drive South American Championship set to be held at the Kartódromo de Imperatriz in Brazil, according to information provided to media after the blessing ceremony at the track yesterday afternoon.
Winners from the racing events will secure a place at the “Arrive and Drive World Cup” slated for Malaysia later this year.
Starting today with free practice sessions, two sprint races will take place tomorrow. The junior and senior finals are meanwhile scheduled for Sunday. Regarding the format and specifications, a ballot will determine the initial distribution of engines and chassis, and rotated during the competition to ensure fairness, according to the event information.
Racers in both categories meanwhile represent places including Australia, India, Japan, Singapore, South Korea and Thailand, the event also features those racing from the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, and, of course, Macau’s very own, including Chong Ian Ip, Vernice Lao Si Lun, Lou Chi Leong, and Henrique Quintela Borges in the senior category.
Automobile General Association Macao-China (AAMC) Secretary Davina Chu (朱妙麗) told the Post after the blessing ceremony that FIA representatives were happy to have a championship karting event in Macau again.
“For them to be coming back, this is something that is very significant, especially since the track has hosted some FIA World Championship Cups before”, while highlighting that karting is the most common starting point in a racer’s career, including those who go on to race Formula One.
Chu further highlighted that having international FIA karting races, alongside the annual Macau Grand Prix, could create racing opportunities both for local racers and those from the Asia-Pacific.
This could also open up a path to follow, especially with the Macau Grand Prix’s FIA F4 World Cup and the FIA FR World Cup. “For them, the path is already there. So, they can see their future by driving and racing in karting”, possibly going on to the single-seater.
Officiating guests and representatives pose during yesterday’s suckling pig cutting ceremony for the 2026 FIA Karting Arrive and Drive Asia-Pacific at the Coloane Karting Track yesterday. – Photos: Rui Pastorin
Teams prepare competitors’ karts at the Coloane Karting Track.
