2005 Macau International Kart Grand Prix around the corner

Jointly organized by the Macau Sports Development Board (MSDB), the Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) and the China-Macau Autosports Club (ACMC), the 2005 Macau International Kart Grand Prix will be staged in Macau on December 17 and 18. This year, the organizer has given the race higher profile by inviting a number of world-class karters to join the Formula A category in addition to the fourth round of the region’s leading karting series - the 2005 Asian Karting Open Championships (AKOC). Director of MGTO João Manuel Costa Antunes, Acting Vice President of MSDB José Maria da Fonseca Tavares, President of the General Assembly of ACMC Lo Keng Chio, President of ACMC Chong Coc Veng were present at the press conference today (December 6) to brief the media about the race arrangement. Macau will host this karting event for the second consecutive year and the previous event was acclaimed as successful by both spectators and competitors alike. New elements are added to bring the race to a new level. The organizer specially invited about 30 world-class karters who had outstanding performance in the CIK-FIA World Karting Championship held in Portugal this September, including the two runners-up Jon Lancaster from the United Kingdom and Davide Fore from Italy, to compete in the Formula A category along with other world leading drivers (see entry list). In addition, the region’s most talented drivers will also battle it out for the fourth round of the 2005 Asian Karting Open Championships. A line up of over 150 competitors from 20 countries and regions, including the United Kingdom, Italy, Denmark, Sweden, France, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Japan, Finland, Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, India, Singapore, Korea, Mainland China, Taiwan China, Hong Kong and Macau will take part in various racing categories of the Macau International Kart Grand Prix, including Formula A, Rotax Max Junior, Rotax Max Senior/Veteran, ICA, Formula Cadet 60 and Formula Cadet 85. The youngest racers, Master Pattarapol from Thailand who will compete in the Formula Cadet 60 category and Andy Chang from Hong Kong who will compete in the Formula Cadet 85 category are both only 9 years old. Two young female drivers from the Philippines, 15 years old Harriet Campbell and 16 years old Michele Marie Bumgarner will join the Rotax Max Senior/Veteran and ICA respectively. 2005 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. And to host this prestigious event, the Karting Track, Coloane has already been issued by the Commission Internationale de Karting – FIA an international grade B karting licence. The venue is fully equipped with a 1.25km circuit, a grandstand which can seat up to 800 spectators, control tower, briefing room, restaurant, VIP rooms – and even has a children’s go-kart circuit. While admission is free, entry will be restricted to holders of admission coupons which are available from December 8 at 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 Shun Tak Center in Hong Kong. Limited amount of tickets will also be available on site on December 17 and 18. There will be free admission for the practice days on December 15 and 16. The event will be broadcast live on TDM Radio and Metro Radio on December 17 and 18 to bring the excitement to both local and Hong Kong residents. Macau Satellite TV will also transmit a 10-minute highlight of the races on December 17 and 18 through satellite, facilitating more instant and convenient coverage by the international media.