Guia Circuit Explained

Guia Circuit
Location:Macau
Events:Current:
Macau Grand Prix (1958–present)
Macau Guia Race (1963–present)
Macau GT Cup (2008–present)
Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix (1967–2019, 2022–present)
Former:
TCR China (2020, 2023)
TCR Asia Series (2015–2016, 2021–2022)
Porsche Carrera Cup Asia (2003–2007)
WTCR (2018–2019)
WTCC (2005–2014, 2017)
TCR International Series (2015–2016)
Asian Touring Car Series (2000–2005, 2009–2011)
Fia Grade:2 (Restricted)
Layout1:Grand Prix Circuit (1958–present)
Length Km:6.120
Length Mi:3.803
Turns:24
Record Time:2:06.257
Record Driver: Luke Browning
Record Car:Dallara F3 2019
Record Year:2023
Record Class:F3
Layout2:Original Circuit (1954–1957)
Length Km2:6.276
Length Mi2:3.900
Turns2:26

The Guia Circuit, or Circuito da Guia, is a street circuit located at the southeast region of the Macau Peninsula in Macau. It is the venue of the Macau Grand Prix, Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix and the Macau Guia Race. 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 30m (100feet) between highest and lowest point of the circuit) and an ultra long main straight that allows top speed of 260km/h 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

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 circuit has not been modified since 1957 except when the pit and paddock complex was relocated in 1993. This work included the removal of a gravel trap which had been located near the Reservoir Bend. The narrowest part of the track is at the Melco Hairpin which has a width of merely 7m (23feet). The whole length of the circuit is bound by Armco barriers painted in black and yellow stripes.

Grandstands

There are two major grandstands around the circuit, along the pit straight and at the Lisboa Bend.

Racing events

The circuit hosts the Macau Grand Prix, a unique event with its combination of motorcycle and car races within the same race weekend. The Macau Motorcycle GP race, the Guia Race (WTCC final rounds from 2005 to 2014) and the Macau Formula 3 GP are the highlights of the event. 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. In 2003, Ralph Firman, winner of the 1996 F3 race, set a lap time of 1:55.714 during a demonstration event as part of the Macau Grand Prix's 50th anniversary celebrations in a Jordan EJ13 Formula 1 car.[2] As of November 2024, the fastest official race lap records at the Guia Circuit are listed as:[3]

Category Time Driver Vehicle Date
Grand Prix Circuit (1993–present): 6.120 km[4] [5]
Formula 32:06.257[6] Luke BrowningDallara F3 201918 November 2023
GT32:16.051[7] Daniel SerraFerrari 296 GT319 November 2023
Formula Regional2:19.599 Oliver GoetheTatuus F3 T-31817 November 2024
Formula Renault 2.02:23.135 Scott SpeedTatuus FR200021 November 2004
Superbike2:23.616 Stuart EastonKawasaki Ninja ZX-10R21 November 2010
Formula 42:24.791[8] Arvid LindbladTatuus F4-T42112 November 2023
Guia Race (WTCC TC1)2:26.469[9] Robert HuffCitroën C-Elysée WTCC18 November 2017
Porsche Carrera Cup2:27.343 Darryl O'YoungPorsche 911 GT3 Cup18 November 2007
Guia Race (Super Touring)2:29.253[10] Steve SoperBMW 320i16 November 1997
Formula BMW2:29.449[11] William BullerMygale FB0222 November 2009
TCR2:29.768[12] Norbert MicheliszHyundai Elantra N TCR18 November 2023
Asian Formula 20002:30.052[13] Philippe DescombesArgo-Ford Zetec 1.818 November 2001
GT42:31.392[14] Kailuo LuoLotus Emira GT412 November 2023
Guia Race (Super 2000)2:31.437[15] Yvan MullerChevrolet Cruze WTCC17 November 2013
Roadsport2:32.974 Manabu OridoNissan GT-R21 November 2010
Guia Race (Super Production)2:39.634 Simon HarrisonHonda Integra Type-R16 November 2003
Supercar Race2:41.877 Kevin WongPorsche 911 GT3 R19 November 2000
ACMC Race2:42.591 Cheung Wai OnHonda RS12516 November 2003
Volkswagen Scirocco R-Cup2:46.183[16] Duncan HuismanVolkswagen Scirocco R16 November 2013
Interport Race[17] 2:48.216 Alvaro MouratoHonda Integra Type-R21 November 2010
CTM Cup (Super 1600)2:46.990[18] Paul PoonPeugeot RCZ22 November 2015
Chinese Cup[19] 2:58.203[20] David ZhuSenova D7019 November 2016
Grand Prix Circuit (1958–1992): 6.120 km
Group A2:29.740[21] Bernd Schneider22 November 1992
Group 52:37.720[22] Manfred WinkelhockBMW 320i15 November 1981
Group 22:44.820[23] Hans HeyerFord Escort II RS19 November 1978
Group 62:59.800[24] Alpine A21020 November 1966
Group 4 3:05.300[25] Albert PoonLotus 2315 November 1964
Formula Junior3:10.100[26] Arsénio LaurelLotus 2218 November 1962

Appearances in video games

Simulation / Video Game Year Configuration
195419932014
Race - The Official WTCC Game 2006YesNo
RaceRoom 2013NoYes
Race 072007YesNo
Ride 22016--
Project Gotham Racing 4 (Fictional)2007--
Race Pro2009YesNo
TT Superbikes Real Road Racing2005PS2No

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Fernando Macedo Pinto, one of the founders of the Macau Grand Prix. 2010-10-20. Blog Macau Antigo. pt.
  2. Web site: Firman breaks Macau lap record . www.crash.net . en . 14 November 2003 . 27 April 2024 .
  3. Web site: Macau Fastest Lap Comparison . https://web.archive.org/web/20230228203518/https://www.driverdb.com/circuits/fastestlaps/macau/ . 28 February 2023 . 4 June 2023 . dead.
  4. Web site: Macau Guia - Racing Circuits . RacingCircuits.info . 18 November 2023.
  5. Web site: Macau - Motorsport Magazine . . 16 June 2022.
  6. Web site: The 70th Macau Grand Prix 16–19 November 2023 - Formula 3 Macau Grand Prix FIA F3 World Cup - Qualifying Race – Official Final Classification . Macau Grand Prix . Macau Grand Prix Committee . 18 November 2023 . 18 November 2023.
  7. Web site: The 70th Macau Grand Prix 16–19 November 2023 - Macau GT Cup - FIA GT World Cup – Race - Provisional Classification . Macau Grand Prix . Macau Grand Prix Committee . 19 November 2023 . 19 November 2023.
  8. Web site: The 70th Macau Grand Prix 11–12 November 2023 - Macau Formula 4 Race – Final Race - Official Classification . Macau Grand Prix . Macau Grand Prix Committee . 12 November 2023 . 12 November 2023.
  9. Web site: 2017 Suncity Group Macau Guia Race - FIA WTCC Opening Race - Final Classification . https://web.archive.org/web/20171201080847/http://content.grandprix.gov.mo/uploads/result/7a7b90495ea734d0d85198e60528824ad7d3d0cd.pdf . Macau Grand Prix . Macau Grand Prix Committee . 18 November 2017 . 1 December 2017 . 8 June 2018 . dead.
  10. Web site: Which touring cars were fastest – Super Touring, S2000 or TCR? . Touringcartimes . 2 May 2020 . 6 June 2022.
  11. Web site: Will Buller conquers Macau . https://web.archive.org/web/20100829173512/http://www.automobilsport.com/race-categories--24,73140,Will-Buller-conquers-Macau,news.htm . dead . August 29, 2010 . 22 November 2009 . 23 July 2022.
  12. Web site: The 70th Macau Grand Prix 16–19 November 2023 - Macau Guia Race - Kumho TCR World Tour Event of Macau – Race 1 - Official Final Classification . Macau Grand Prix . Macau Grand Prix Committee . 18 November 2023 . 18 November 2023.
  13. Web site: 2001 Asian F2000 Round 6: Macau 18 November 2001 . 18 November 2001 . 28 February 2023.
  14. Web site: The 70th Macau Grand Prix 11–12 November 2023 - Greater Bay Area GT Cup (GT4) – Race - Official Classification . Macau Grand Prix . Macau Grand Prix Committee . 12 November 2023 . 12 November 2023.
  15. Web site: WTCC 2013 » Circuito da Guia Round 24 Results . 28 February 2023.
  16. Web site: 2013 60th Macau Grand Prix Scirocco R China Masters Challenge Official Race Classification . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304030929/http://content.grandprix.gov.mo/uploads/result/539a6d0f6a0fe61f9b215228f00c2ca5fdeac793.pdf . 16 November 2013 . 4 March 2016 . 25 November 2016 . dead .
  17. For Macanese and Hong Kong professional drivers, previously two separate races each different nationalities, replaced by Chinese Cup.
  18. Web site: CTM Macau Touring Car Cup – Race – Official Classification . Macau Grand Prix . Macau Grand Prix Committee . 22 November 2015 . 22 November 2015 . 22 November 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151122134646/http://content.grandprix.gov.mo/uploads/result/dfe1b79100765800d3f6e746fbe994f8126ca2b0.pdf . dead .
  19. One-make race for Senova D70s.
  20. Web site: 63th Macau Grand Prix Suncity Group Chinese Racing Cup Race – Final Classification . Macau Grand Prix. Macau Grand Prix Committee . https://web.archive.org/web/20161121042225/http://content.grandprix.gov.mo/uploads/result/6c9c71ef6bf22791ddb43360acd8dd62fd0635d8.pdf . 19 November 2016 . 21 November 2016 . 20 November 2016 . dead.
  21. Web site: 1992 Macau Guia Race . 22 November 1992 . 23 October 2022.
  22. Web site: 1981 Macau Guia Race . 15 November 1981 . 23 October 2022.
  23. Web site: 1978 Macau Guia Race . 19 November 1978 . 23 October 2022.
  24. Web site: GP Macau 1966 . 20 November 1966 . 6 June 2022.
  25. Web site: GP Macau 1964 . 15 November 1964 . 6 June 2022.
  26. Web site: GP Macau 1962 . 18 November 1962 . 6 June 2022.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Guia Circuit".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2025, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.