2006 Macau International Kart Grand Prix around the corner Press Release (Translation Copy)

Jointly organized by the Macau Sports Development Board (MSDB), the Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) and the China-Macau Autosports Club (ACMC), the 2006 Macau International Kart Grand Prix will be staged in Macau on December 16 and 17. Director of MGTO João Manuel Costa Antunes, Acting President of MSDB Alex Vong, President of ACMC Chong Coc Veng and Asian Karting Open Championship Managing Director Johnny Tan were present at the press conference today (December 4) to brief the media about the race arrangement. Macau will host this karting event for the third consecutive year and the previous events were acclaimed as successful by both spectators and competitors. This year, in addition to a number of leading karters who will join the Formula A category again, the Asia Karting Open Championship (AKOC) has given the race higher profile by tying up with the ROK Cup series. The organizer specially invited about 30 world-class Formula A karters who had outstanding performance in various world-class karting competitions. Among them is the champion of the 2006 CIK-FIA European Formula A Championship, Marco Ardigo, who will compete in the Formula A category along with other world leading drivers and to defend his Formula A champion title won last year in Macau. In addition, the region’s most talented drivers will also battle it out for the fourth round of the 2006 Asian Karting Open Championships. A line up of 229 competitors from 22 countries and regions, including the United Kingdom; Finland; Italy; Denmark; Switzerland; South Africa; Belgium; France; New Zealand; Australia; Germany; Japan; South Korea; Malaysia; the Philippines; Indonesia; Thailand; Singapore; Mainland China; Taiwan, China; Hong Kong and Macau will take part in various racing categories of the Macau International Kart Grand Prix. The youngest racer, Christian Joseph Gaddi from the Philippines who will compete in the Formula Cadet 60 category, is only 7 years old. There are 6 drivers from Macau joining the competition, including Chang Wing Chung who is 10 years old. The young Philippine driver Michele Marie Bumgarner, who was crowned as the overall champion for ICA class of the AKOC last year will challenge the experienced Formula A drivers. She is the only female driver among the 229 competitors. 2006 Macau International Kart Grand Prix will gather together the best drivers from the world to bring thrilling and high level races to motor fans and visitors alike. While admission is free, entry will be restricted to holders of admission coupons which are available now at Kong Seng’s 3 service stations at Av. Conselheiro Ferreira de Almeida, Rua Comandante Mata e Oliveira and Av. Horta e Costa, the main office of the Macau Sports Development Board (Macau Forum, Block 1, 4th floor, Av. Dr. Rodrigo Rodrigues), the China-Macau Autosports Club (Edf. Grande Prémio de Macau, Av. da Amizade, opening hours: 9:30am to 7pm) and 4 tourism information counters of MGTO at the Macau International Airport, Macau Ferry Terminal, Border Gate Checkpoint and Ritz Building at Senado Square. Limited amount of tickets will also be available on site on December 16 and 17. There will be free admission for the practice days on December 14 and 15. The event will be broadcast live on TDM Radio on December 16 and 17 to bring the excitement to local residents. Macau Satellite TV will also transmit a 10-minute highlight of the races on December 16 and 17 through satellite, facilitating more instant and convenient coverage by the international media to promote Macau and the event.