Macau grand prix lures Pinoy aces

In the history of the Macau Grand Prix, there is special mention of Filipino race car driver Dodjie Laurel as among the heroes who braved the tricky 6.2 kilometer street course known for its bayside straightaways, hillside hairpin bends and narrow sideroads.

Laurel, driving a Lotus 22 Ford FJ, won back-to-back Grand Prix titles in 1962 and 1963. Then, in a bid for a third crown, he was killed on the track as his car crashed and caught fire in 1967. Laurel was the Grand Prix’ first ever casualty.

Today, Laurel is immortalized in the Macau Grand Prix Museum where his car is on exhibit. The museum was opened in 1993 and displays a valuable collection of cars that once ran the circuit. Aside from viewing the cars in the museum, visitors can learn about the Grand Prix by reading the information boards differentiated by color according to the period to which they correspond. A tribute to the late John Corsmit who participated in 25 races is noteworthy. Corsmit is credited for initiating several safety measures in the Grand Prix. The museum is a repository of Grand Prix-related memorabilia with pictures, trophies, literature and other items of interest.

In November this year, the Macau Grand Prix marks its 50th anniversary and the celebration will be held over two weekends. The first weekend is highlighted by a "classic" competition where Austin Healey, Lotus, Morgan and other enduring models will figure in a battle for supremacy. Four races are on tap for the elegant and historic automobiles, well known for their design, sleek lines and engineering. A car parade will be the culminating event.

The second weekend will assemble the world’s leading Formula 3 drivers seeking to bag the prestigious FIA Intercontinental Cup, recognized as the F3 world championship. Filipinos Don Pastor, Tyson Sy and Dado Pena will wear the national colors as they hope to follow in the footsteps of previous Grand Prix winners like Laurel, Ayrton Senna (1983), Michael Schumacher (1990), David Coulthard (1991), Ralf Schumacher (1995) and Ralph Firman (1996).

Also in the agenda on the second weekend are the 37th Motorcycle Grand Prix, the Guia Circuit race, the Asian Formula Renault Challenge and the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia. Leading Touring Car drivers from Europe and Asia will slug it out in the popular Guia race where Filipino Angelo Barretto, who competed in the Macau Grand Prix three years ago, is entered. The most talented of the region’s younger single-seat drivers and aspiring future Formula 1 stars are vying for honors in the Asian Formula Renault Challenge while millions of dollars worth of stunning sports cars will burn the tracks in the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia.

It was in 1954 when three Portuguese car enthusiasts Fernando de Macedo Pinto, Carlos da Silva and Paulo Antas contacted the Motor Sports Club of Hong Kong to inquire about organizing a rally using the winding Macau streets as a course. Paul Dutoit responded and went to Macau to inspect the proposed course. Dutoit found the streets to be similar to the famous circuit in Monaco and encouraged the three Portuguese enthusiasts to promote a Grand Prix in Macau. The three then discussed the details of the race with local Chief of Police Fernando Cruz and laid the foundations of what is now an event of international renown.

Perhaps, the most exciting Macau Grand Prix ever was in 1990 when five-time world champion Michael Schumacher beat Mika Hakkinen and Eddie Irvine for the trophy. Other top-class racers, who got their baptism of fire in Macau, were Juan Pablo Montoya, Jacques Villeneuve, Jamo Trulli, Giancarlo Fisichella, Olivier Panis, Mark Webber, Heinz-Harald Frentzen, Nick Heidfeld, Allan McNish and Damon Hill.

Jenson Button, the 1999 runner-up, recalled his Macau experienced fondly. "The racing was very serious but everything else was really enjoyable," he said. "What a great event to compete in. You had the best from F3 and everybody was all together in the same event. The track itself was a great challenge. Even if you had raced on it the previous year, it still took time to learn. I would even say it is better than Monaco because while Monaco is good, it is not all there. Macau has got everything with those long straights which would be absolutely awesome in an F1 car. The place reminds me of the film ‘The Italian Job.’"

Over 300 drivers and riders and thousands of motor sports fans will join in the celebration of the Macau Grand Prix’ 50th anniversary this November. Adding to the drama of the month-long "Macau Golden Jubilee Carnival" are the 7th Wushu International Championships where some 1,000 practitioners from all over the world are participating and the Macau International Fireworks Display Contest, which will light up the skies with pyrotechnic wizardry from Spain, Portugal, France, Korea, China, Australia, Taiwan, Japan, Thailand and the Philippines.

According to publicist Bob Zozobrado of Ideazplus, the Macau Government Tourist Office is offering travel packages for Filipino tourists to witness the November festivities. The packages include access to the grandstand for the Macau Grand Prix, guaranteed seats during the fireworks contest and tours of Macau’s famous landmarks, including the Macau Grand Prix Museum. For information, interested parties may call Ideazplus at

522-5268 or the Macau Government Tourist Office at 831-2005 or 830-2013.