Tag Archives: Macau

BMW

BMW M Motorsport News, fifth December 2023

MBEDDED: Emotional insights into the FIA GT World Cup in Macau .

There isn’t any extra spectacular road race in GT sports activities than the FIA GT World Cup in Macau. In 2023, BMW M Motorsport returned to the tight streets of the Asian playing mecca for the primary time since 2019. The new episode of the BMW M Motorsport video documentary collection MBEDDED captures the distinctive, electrifying ambiance in Macau and follows BMW M works drivers Augusto Farfus (BRA) and Sheldon van der Linde (RSA) as they dance between the guardrails with the BMW M4 GT3 up shut. Veteran Farfus seems to be again at his emotional Macau victory in 2018 with Charly Lamm originally of the episode and celebrates once more on the rostrum on the finish. Van der Linde experiences the fascination of Macau as a rookie for the primary time and impresses with a powerful efficiency – however and not using a joyful ending.

Link to the complete episode: https://b.mw/MBEDDED_Macau .

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ALMS: Project 1 begins the season in Sepang .

Last weekend, the 2023/2024 season of the Asian Le Mans Series (ALMS) started with two 4-hour races in Sepang (MAS). The BMW M Motorsport group Project 1 began with two BMW M4 GT3s and was supported by BMW M works driver Dan Harper (GBR). In the primary race on Saturday, Harper and his teammates Darren Leung (GBR) and Christian Bogle (USA) had been on track for a top-ten end, however retired because of a unfastened wheel after a pit cease shortly earlier than the top and had been categorised 18th within the GT class. In the sister automotive, Sean Gelael (INA), Maxime Oosten (NED), and Huilin Han (CHN) completed in twentieth place. On Sunday, Harper, Leung, and Bogle completed in tenth place of their second try and safe a top-ten end. The second automotive was doing properly within the race for a very long time, however then fell again to 18th place because of a drive-through penalty for a collision.

“It’s been a fantastic experience making my Asian Le Mans Series debut, getting to work with Darren, Christian and Project 1, and learning a fantastic new circuit in Sepang,” stated Harper. “Unfortunately, we didn’t have the ultimate pace to challenge at the front of the field this weekend, with tyre degradation in particular making it tough for us, but the team did a brilliant job.”

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Sim racing: The champions of the BMW M SIM Cup have been topped .

Dominik Hofmann (AUT) has been topped champion on the season finale of the BMW M SIM Cup on iRacing. In the final of ten races on the Suzuka (JPN) circuit, the Austrian, alongside Daniel Alves Lourenco (GER), completed third within the digital #90 BMW M Hybrid V8, however secured the title due to the quickest lap, forward of his teammate from URANO eSports.

“Even if our qualifying sessions were not always optimal, we always found a way to work our way to the top and score important points. The fact that this work is rewarded with the championship in the end is of great significance,” stated Hofmann. Even earlier than the tenth race, it was determined that Hofmann and Lourenco would compete for the title. However, Hofmann began the season finale with a one-point lead.

On the digital Suzuka International Racing Course, the dominant #90 BMW M Hybrid V8 with Hofmann and Lourenco made it to the rostrum for the ninth time in ten races. The 25-year-old Austrian drove the quickest lap once more within the 66th lap of the season finale, securing his second bonus level of the season and thus the title within the BMW M SIM Cup on iRacing – with a two-point lead over Lourenco. Third within the general standings was Matt J. Farrow (GBR) from Team Williams Esports Mahle, who completed his robust season alongside Josh Lad (GBR) within the digital #11 BMW M Hybrid V8 with the day’s victory.

The championship within the GT3 class of the BMW M SIM Cup on iRacing was additionally determined between two teammates. In the final race, Diogo C. Pinto (POR) and Chris Lulham (GBR) within the #20 BMW M4 GT3 from Team Redline achieved their fifth victory of the 12 months, thus crowning their dominant season. Since each drivers had additionally every pushed two quickest laps within the ten races, the Portuguese and the Briton shared the title ultimately with a big lead.

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Macau Grand Prix: Peter Hickman secures fourth victory – BMW racers dominate top four positions

Macau. The motorsport world focused on Macau last weekend as the 55th edition of the Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix unfolded as part of the 70th Macau Grand Prix. The race on the Guia Circuit street course resulted in a remarkable top-four lockout for the BMW Racers. Leading the pack was Peter Hickman (GBR), who clinched his fourth Macau victory riding his BMW M 1000 RR for FHO Racing BMW Motorrad Team. In second and third places on the podium were Davey Todd (GBR / Burrows Engineering / RK Racing) and David Datzer (GER / MTP Racing by ZERO UP Penz 13). Hickman’s teammate Josh Brookes (GBR) completed the success for the BMW M 1000 RR with a fourth-place finish.

 

Uwe Geyer, Head of BMW Motorrad Customer Racing, commended the BMW riders for their outstanding performance in Macau, emphasizing the sensational result of a BMW M 1000 RR top-four lockout. Hickman’s exceptional victory, Todd’s impressive comeback to the BMW racing family, Datzer’s podium finish in his second Macau appearance, and Brookes’ excellent debut in this challenging race were all celebrated as a testament to the successful representation of BMW’s colors in Macau.

Hickman returned to Macau for the first time since 2019, and it marked the first appearance on the Guia Circuit for the FHO Racing BMW Motorrad Team. Amidst this setting, Hickman showcased his prowess by claiming the fastest times in practices and securing pole position.

Hickman led at the start of the race before a red flag prompted a restart. He maintained his lead, eventually finishing with a 28.969-second lead over Todd after twelve laps, securing a convincing victory.

Expressing his joy, Hickman shared, “We’ve had a fantastic result. We’re at Faye’s home event and it’s her proper home track, it’s her city and it’s just fantastic to be first in every single session and winning the race, so I couldn’t really ask for more than that – I’m super happy. The boys have worked absolutely mega, the BMW M 1000 RR has been superb to be honest. The track was a bit bumpier than it used to be, which makes it hard to ride. But the FHO Racing team have got the bike pretty much bang on and I felt really comfortable. Davey obviously gave us a bit of a push to start with, but we could really keep the pace and he couldn’t, so we managed to break away and disappeared up the road and just managed it from there.”

Todd, who experienced a rollercoaster of emotions on race day, overcame a technical issue to secure second place on the podium after a persistent effort from him and his team.

Reflecting on his experience, Todd said, “I wasn’t expecting a day like that at all. It was just one of those so unlucky things at the first start. The guys pushed the bike back to the garage and I felt as if my world had come apart walking back down pit lane. But the team kept going and worked flat out just in case the race was stopped and we could jump in the re-run. And we got back out there. I managed to take it up with Pete for four laps, trying to sit in behind him. I knew that the tyres would come into play and tried to save them as much as I can. I just did not have the tyre to compete at the end. Hat’s off to Pete, he had a great race and thanks to the team for an awesome job.”

Datzer also expressed his excitement after securing his second podium finish in Macau, attributing it to his perseverance and the exceptional support from his team.

“It’s amazing, just amazing”, Datzer enthused on the podium. “After my bad start I thought, oh no, the fast guys are gone. However, I’m blessed to have a great bike which has been prepared by a great team. I worked my way through and to be on the podium again at Macao is a great way to end the event.”

Paul Jordan (GBR / ZERO UP Racing Team by Penz 13) and Sam West (GBR / moto-hub.co.uk) also delivered strong performances, finishing seventh and tenth, respectively, and securing places in the top ten.

BMW

FIA GT World Cup: Augusto Farfus Secures Podium Finish at Macau with BMW M4 GT3

Macau. Augusto Farfus (BRA) achieved yet another podium finish at the challenging Macau street race. Piloting the #11 BMW M4 GT3 for ROWE Racing, Farfus clinched third place in Sunday’s main race. Sheldon van der Linde (RSA) also showcased a strong performance in the #32 BMW M4 GT3 of the BMW M Team WRT during his Macau debut, finishing fifth in the qualification race on Saturday. However, a tire failure during the main race dashed his podium hopes. Farfus finished just ahead of him.

 

Farfus, a previous winner in Macau with the BMW M6 GT3 in 2018, exhibited remarkable tenacity throughout the weekend. Despite starting the qualification race in eighth position, he advanced to fourth place with impressive overtaking maneuvers on the narrow city circuit. Although he lost ground in a challenging duel at the start of the main race, he persisted and ultimately claimed a well-deserved third-place finish on the podium.

One of the drivers ahead of him, van der Linde, was poised for a podium finish but was hampered by a rear left tire failure. Nonetheless, he demonstrated his potential with a promising fifth place in qualifying and quickly adapted to the demanding track. The BMW M4 GT3 also made a successful Macau debut, securing a podium finish.

Reactions after the FIA GT World Cup:

Andreas Roos (Head of BMW M Motorsport): “We are pleased with the podium result in the debut of the BMW M4 GT3 at Macau. The competition at the FIA GT World Cup was fierce, and Augusto Farfus, with his wealth of experience, secured third place against top-notch rivals. Congratulations to him and the ROWE Racing team. Sheldon van der Linde’s tire damage was unfortunate. Despite his third-place potential, a tire failure cost him. Nevertheless, he can take pride in his performance. The BMW M4 GT3 once again demonstrated its competitiveness on international tracks. A big thank you to the drivers, teams, and BMW M Motorsport staff. We look forward to a return, striving for victory.”

Augusto Farfus (#11 BMW M4 GT3, ROWE Racing, Qualification Race: 4th place, Main Race: 3rd place): “This is a fantastic way to conclude the season. I am leaving Macau, a place that is very special and emotional to me, with a smile. I positioned myself on Saturday with a fourth-place finish to challenge for a podium spot in Sunday’s main race. Despite encountering limited space at the start and almost facing a collision, I approached the race methodically and hoped for a restart following a yellow flag. That opportunity arose, allowing me to gain a position. Unfortunately, Sheldon and Maro Engel encountered issues ahead of me, benefiting my position and ultimately leading to my third-place finish.”

Sheldon van der Linde (#32 BMW M4 GT3, BMW M Team WRT, Qualification Race: 5th place, Main Race: 16th place): “The conclusion is bittersweet. I was on track for a podium finish in my Macau debut, but unfortunately, it was not meant to be. When the tire pressure warning flashed, I initially hoped to reach the finish line, but it was futile. At the moment, my disappointment is profound, but I hope that will change tomorrow. Overall, it was an incredible experience. The Macau track immediately became one of my favorites, and I aim to return and secure a podium finish in the future. Congratulations to Augusto and ROWE Racing for third place!”

News

The Macau Grand Prix is Set to Return in Full Force in November 2023

After a challenging couple of years, the Macau Grand Prix is making a comeback. In recent years, the city circuit has seen limited action due to various circumstances, most notably the COVID-19 pandemic. However, with the easing of restrictions and the passing of time, the organizers have announced that the Grand Prix will be held again this November, marking its 70th anniversary.

Last year, the Macau GP took place, but with several notable names missing from the lineup. Riders like Peter Hickman and Michael Rutter couldn’t participate due to the still prevailing COVID-19 restrictions. However, this year, these riders and others, such as Davey Todd on the Burrows Engineering/RK Racing BMW, will be making their return.

In 2022, the 54th season of the GP saw the organization of seven races, including the Sands China Formula 4 Macau Grand Prix, Galaxy Entertainment Macau GT Cup, Wynn Macau Guia Race, MGM Macau Touring Car Cup, Melco Greater Bay Area GT Cup, SJM Macau Roadsport Challenge, and the Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix. Despite health and safety regulations being strictly enforced, the relaxed rulings this year may result in the Grand Prix returning in full swing for its 55th edition.

Macau GP

The schedule for this year’s Macau Grand Prix includes a free practice session on November 16, 2023, lasting 45 minutes. The following day, November 17, a qualifying session of the same duration will be held.

On race day, November 18, 2023, a 20-minute warm-up session will precede the main event: a 12-lap race. According to the organizers’ schedule, the motorcycle race will take place first on Saturday.

Thursday, November 16

  • 07:45 a.m. to 08:30 a.m. – Free Practice

Friday, November 17

  • 08:00 a.m. to 08:45 a.m. – Qualifying

Saturday, November 18

  • 07:40 a.m. to 08:00 a.m. – Warm-up
  • 08:30 a.m. – Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix Race (12 laps)