Guia Circuit
LocationMacau
Time zoneUTC+08:00
Coordinates22°11′50″N 113°33′3″E / 22.19722°N 113.55083°E / 22.19722; 113.55083
FIA Grade2 (Restricted)
Opened31 October 1954 (1954-10-31)
Major eventsCurrent:
Macau Grand Prix (1958–present)
Guia Race of Macau (1963–present)
Macau GT Cup (2008–present)
Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix (1967–2019, 2022–present)
TCR China (2020, 2023)
Former:
TCR Asia Series (2015–2016, 2021–2022)
Porsche Carrera Cup Asia (2003–2007, 2021)
WTCR (2018–2019)
WTCC (2005–2014, 2017)
TCR International Series (2015–2016)
Asian Touring Car Series (2000–2005, 2009–2011)
Websitehttps://www.macau.grandprix.gov.mo/
Grand Prix Circuit (1958–present)
Length6.120 km (3.803 miles)
Turns24
Race lap record2:06.257 (United Kingdom Luke Browning, Dallara F3 2019, 2023, F3)
Original Circuit (1954–1957)
Length6.276 km (3.900 miles)
Turns26

The Guia Circuit, or Circuito da Guia, is a 6.120 km (3.803 mi) street circuit located at the southeast region of the Macau Peninsula in Macau. It is the venue of the Macau Grand Prix and Guia Race of Macau. The circuit consists of long straights and tight corners, and features the characteristics of a typical street circuit - narrow, bumpy and limited overtaking opportunities. However, there are two special features that can rarely be found in other street circuits - variation in altitude (over 30 m (100 ft) between highest and lowest point of the circuit) and an ultra long main straight that allows top speed of 260 km/h (160 mph) on Formula Three cars. As a result, the circuit is recognised as one of the most challenging circuits in the world in terms of both driving and tuning, as cars have to maintain competitive speed to overcome hill-climbing, twisty corners and long straights in a single lap.

History

Architectural model of the Guia Circuit at the Grand Prix Museum

The Guia Circuit was originally conceived in 1954 as the route for a treasure hunt around the streets of the city,[1] but shortly after the event it was suggested that the hunt's track could host an amateur racing event for local motor enthusiasts. Since 1967, with the introduction of a motorcycle race, the track has become a venue for both motorcycle and car racing events.

Layout

The Hotel Lisboa Curve

Unlike other regular racing tracks in the world, the layout of the Guia Circuit has not been modified since 1957 (the pit and paddock complex has been relocated to the present location since 1993, but the layout of the circuit has not been changed). The narrowest part of the track has a width of merely 7 m (23 ft), which is located at the Melco Hairpin. The whole length of the circuit is safely bounded by Armco barriers painted in black and yellow stripes. There used to be a gravel trap near the Reservoir Bend but since the pit and paddock complex was moved to the present location, this feature has been removed.

Grandstands

Grandstand at the Guia Circuit

There are two major grandstands around the circuit for spectators to watch live racing - the main grandstand along the pit straight and the other one at the Lisboa Bend. The Lisboa Bend is the most famous spot of excitement as it offers the only possible overtaking opportunity at the end of the main straight. On the other hand, it is also notorious for massive pile-ups on opening laps due to its 90-degree turn configuration and its significant reduction in track width. As a result, the ticket price for a seat at the Lisboa Bend is much higher than that of a seat at the main grandstand. But as with most street circuits there are many people who stand or sit next to the track or on bridges and fly overs.

Racing events

The circuit is unique for its combination of motorcycle and car racing events within the same race weekend. The Macau Motorcycle GP, the Guia Race (WTCC final rounds from 2005 to 2014) and the Macau Formula 3 GP are the highlights of the race weekend. In addition, various kind of racing events are organised for competition between local and regional (Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, South East Asia, etc.) enthusiasts.

Current events

Former events

Lap records

Italics indicate discontinued class. As of November 2023, the fastest official race lap records at the Guia Circuit are listed as:[2]

CategoryTimeDriverVehicleDate
Grand Prix Circuit (1993–present): 6.120 km[3][4][lower-alpha 1]
Formula 3 2:06.257[5] United Kingdom Luke Browning Dallara F3 2019 18 November 2023
GT3 2:16.051[6] Brazil Daniel Serra Ferrari 296 GT3 19 November 2023
Formula Renault 2.0 2:23.135 United States Scott Speed Tatuus FR2000 21 November 2004
Superbike 2:23.616 United Kingdom Stuart Easton Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R 21 November 2010
Formula 4 2:24.791[7] United Kingdom Arvid Lindblad Tatuus F4-T421 12 November 2023
Guia Race (WTCC TC1) 2:26.469[8] United Kingdom Robert Huff Citroën C-Elysée WTCC 18 November 2017
Porsche Carrera Cup 2:27.343[2] Hong Kong Darryl O'Young Porsche 911 GT3 Cup 18 November 2007
Guia race (Super Touring) 2:29.253[9] United Kingdom Steve Soper BMW 320i 16 November 1997
Formula BMW 2:29.449[10] United Kingdom William Buller Mygale FB02 22 November 2009
TCR 2:29.768[11] Hungary Norbert Michelisz Hyundai Elantra N TCR 18 November 2023
Asian Formula 2000 2:30.052[12] France Philippe Descombes Argo-Ford Zetec 1.8 18 November 2001
GT4 2:31.392[13] China Kailuo Luo Lotus Emira GT4 12 November 2023
Guia Race (Super 2000) 2:31.437[14] France Yvan Muller Chevrolet Cruze WTCC 17 November 2013
Road Sport Challenge 2:32.974 Japan Manabu Orido Nissan GT-R 21 November 2010
Guia Race (Super Production) 2:39.634 United Kingdom Simon Harrison Honda Integra Type-R 16 November 2003
Supercar race 2:41.877 Hong Kong Kevin Wong Porsche 911 GT3 R 19 November 2000
ACMC race 2:42.591 Hong Kong Cheung Wai On Honda RS125 16 November 2003
Volkswagen Scirocco R-Cup 2:46.183[15] Netherlands Duncan Huisman Volkswagen Scirocco R 16 November 2013
Interport race[16] 2:48.216 Macau Alvaro Mourato Honda Integra Type-R 21 November 2010
CTM Cup (Super 1600) 2:46.990[17] Hong Kong Paul Poon Peugeot RCZ 22 November 2015
Chinese Cup[18] 2:58.203[19] China David Zhu Senova D70 19 November 2016
Grand Prix Circuit (1958–1992): 6.120 km[3][4][lower-alpha 1]
Group A 2:29.740[20] Germany Bernd Schneider Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16 EVO II 22 November 1992
Group 5 2:37.720[21] Germany Manfred Winkelhock BMW 320i 15 November 1981
Group 2 2:44.820[22] Germany Hans Heyer Ford Escort II RS 19 November 1978
Group 6 2:59.800[23] Switzerland Mauro Bianchi Alpine A210 20 November 1966
Group 4 3:05.300[24] Hong Kong Albert Poon Lotus 23 15 November 1964
Formula Junior 3:10.100[25] Philippines Arsénio Laurel Lotus 22 18 November 1962

Appearances in video games

Simulation / Video GameYear Configuration
1954 1993 2014
Race - The Official WTCC Game 2006 Yes No
RaceRoom 2013 No Yes
Race 07 2007 Yes No
Ride 2 2016 - -
Project Gotham Racing 4 (Fictional) 2007 - -
Race Pro 2009 Yes No
TT Superbikes Real Road Racing 2005 PS2 No

See also

Notes

  1. 1 2 The start line was moved backwards in 1993.

References

  1. ↑ "Fernando Macedo Pinto, one of the founders of the Macau Grand Prix" (in Portuguese). Blog Macau Antigo. Retrieved 2010-10-20.
  2. 1 2 "Macau Fastest Lap Comparison". Archived from the original on 28 February 2023. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
  3. 1 2 "Macau Guia - Racing Circuits". RacingCircuits.info. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
  4. 1 2 "Macau - Motorsport Magazine". Motorsport Magazine. Retrieved 16 June 2022.
  5. ↑ "The 70th Macau Grand Prix 16–19 November 2023 - Formula 3 Macau Grand Prix FIA F3 World Cup - Qualifying Race – Official Final Classification" (PDF). Macau Grand Prix. Macau Grand Prix Committee. 18 November 2023. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
  6. ↑ "The 70th Macau Grand Prix 16–19 November 2023 - Macau GT Cup - FIA GT World Cup – Race - Provisional Classification" (PDF). Macau Grand Prix. Macau Grand Prix Committee. 19 November 2023. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
  7. ↑ "The 70th Macau Grand Prix 11–12 November 2023 - Macau Formula 4 Race – Final Race - Official Classification" (PDF). Macau Grand Prix. Macau Grand Prix Committee. 12 November 2023. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  8. ↑ "2017 Suncity Group Macau Guia Race - FIA WTCC Opening Race - Final Classification" (PDF). Macau Grand Prix. Macau Grand Prix Committee. 18 November 2017. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
  9. ↑ "Which touring cars were fastest – Super Touring, S2000 or TCR?". Touringcartimes. 2 May 2020. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
  10. ↑ "Will Buller conquers Macau". 22 November 2009. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
  11. ↑ "The 70th Macau Grand Prix 16–19 November 2023 - Macau Guia Race - Kumho TCR World Tour Event of Macau – Race 1 - Official Final Classification" (PDF). Macau Grand Prix. Macau Grand Prix Committee. 18 November 2023. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
  12. ↑ "2001 Asian F2000 Round 6: Macau 18 November 2001". Retrieved 28 February 2023.
  13. ↑ "The 70th Macau Grand Prix 11–12 November 2023 - Greater Bay Area GT Cup (GT4) – Race - Official Classification" (PDF). Macau Grand Prix. Macau Grand Prix Committee. 12 November 2023. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  14. ↑ "WTCC 2013 » Circuito da Guia Round 24 Results". Retrieved 28 February 2023.
  15. ↑ "2013 60th Macau Grand Prix Scirocco R China Masters Challenge Official Race Classification" (PDF). 16 November 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
  16. ↑ For Macanese and Hong Kong professional drivers, previously two separate races each different nationalities, replaced by Chinese Cup.
  17. ↑ "CTM Macau Touring Car Cup – Race – Official Classification" (PDF). Macau Grand Prix. Macau Grand Prix Committee. 22 November 2015. Retrieved 22 November 2015.
  18. ↑ One-make race for Senova D70s.
  19. ↑ "63th Macau Grand Prix Suncity Group Chinese Racing Cup Race – Final Classification" (PDF). Macau Grand Prix. Macau Grand Prix Committee. 19 November 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 November 2016. Retrieved 20 November 2016.
  20. ↑ "1992 Macau Guia Race". Retrieved 23 October 2022.
  21. ↑ "1981 Macau Guia Race". Retrieved 23 October 2022.
  22. ↑ "1978 Macau Guia Race". Retrieved 23 October 2022.
  23. ↑ "GP Macau 1966". Retrieved 6 June 2022.
  24. ↑ "GP Macau 1964". Retrieved 6 June 2022.
  25. ↑ "GP Macau 1962". Retrieved 6 June 2022.
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