Nine-time World Rally Champion Sebastien Loeb is preparing for his first assault on the Guia street circuit, racing in the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia at the Macau Grand Prix.
An impressive 23 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars will take to the 6.2km track as part of the Macau Grand Prix’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations in a race that is expected to be as spectacular as it is unique.
“I only know that it’s a hard track but that drivers appreciate it in general,” Loeb said of the ‘Monaco of the Far East’. “Everybody tells me that it’s unique and great to drive on. Overall it’s something that I enjoy. It reminds me of the rally, because there is no release and no room for error. In general these are intense races, which are played on the details, and maximum risk-taking in qualification. I love it!”
For the first time in the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia’s 11-year history, drivers from its sister Japanese championship will take part at Macau. The youngest of these drivers being 22-year-old Ryo Ogawa of Bright Motorsport, joined by Tsubasa Kondo of Improve Racing, Hideto Yasuoka of Garmin Porsche and the 2012 Gentleman Class Series Champion, Hiroaki Nagai.
Newly-crowned 2013 Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Champion, Earl Bamber, will also make his debut at the infamous circuit, partnering the 2009 and 2010 winner of the Macau GT Cup and runner up of the Macau Porsche Carrera Cup Asia race in 2006 and 2007, Keita Sawa.
The teams will have just 30 minutes to practice on the Guia Circuit before Saturday’s qualifying session before a 10 lap race on Sunday November 10.
