The Guia Circuit, or Circuito da Guia, is a 6.120 km 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 30 m between highest and lowest point of the circuit) and an ultra long main straight that allows top speed of 260 km/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, 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 7 m. 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. As of November 2024, the fastest official race lap records at the Guia Circuit are listed as:

Appearances in video games