| Guia Circuit | |
| Location: | Macau |
| Events: | Current: Macau Grand Prix (1958–present) Guia Race of Macau (1963–present) Macau GT Cup (2008–present) Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix (1967–2019, 2022–present) TCR China (2020, 2023) Former: TCR Asia Series (2015–2016, 2021–2022) Porsche Carrera Cup Asia (2003–2007, 2021) WTCR (2018–2019) WTCC (2005–2014, 2017) TCR International Series (2015–2016) Asian Touring Car Series (2000–2005, 2009–2011) |
| Fia Grade: | 2 (Restricted) |
| Layout1: | Grand Prix Circuit (1958–present) |
| Length Km: | 6.120 |
| Length Mi: | 3.803 |
| Turns: | 24 |
| Record Time: | 2:06.257 |
| Record Driver: |  Luke Browning |
| Record Car: | Dallara F3 2019 |
| Record Year: | 2023 |
| Record Class: | F3 |
| Layout2: | Original Circuit (1954–1957) |
| Length Km2: | 6.276 |
| Length Mi2: | 3.900 |
| Turns2: | 26 |
The Guia Circuit, or Circuito da Guia, is a street circuit located at the southeast region of the Macau Peninsula in Macau. It is the venue of the Macau Grand Prix and Guia Race of Macau. 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 30m (100feet) between highest and lowest point of the circuit) and an ultra long main straight that allows top speed of 260km/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.
The Guia Circuit was originally conceived in 1954 as the route for a treasure hunt around the streets of the city,[1] 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.
Unlike other regular racing tracks in the world, the layout of the Guia Circuit has not been modified since 1957 (the pit and paddock complex has been relocated to the present location since 1993, but the layout of the circuit has not been changed). The narrowest part of the track has a width of merely 7m (23feet), which is located at the Melco Hairpin. The whole length of the circuit is safely bounded by Armco barriers painted in black and yellow stripes. There used to be a gravel trap near the Reservoir Bend but since the pit and paddock complex was moved to the present location, this feature has been removed.
There are two major grandstands around the circuit for spectators to watch live racing - the main grandstand along the pit straight and the other one at the Lisboa Bend. The Lisboa Bend is the most famous spot of excitement as it offers the only possible overtaking opportunity at the end of the main straight. On the other hand, it is also notorious for massive pile-ups on opening laps due to its 90-degree turn configuration and its significant reduction in track width. As a result, the ticket price for a seat at the Lisboa Bend is much higher than that of a seat at the main grandstand. But as with most street circuits there are many people who stand or sit next to the track or on bridges and fly overs.
The circuit is unique for its combination of motorcycle and car racing events within the same race weekend. The Macau Motorcycle GP, the Guia Race (WTCC final rounds from 2005 to 2014) and the Macau Formula 3 GP are the highlights of the race weekend. In addition, various kind of racing events are organised for competition between local and regional (Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, South East Asia, etc.) enthusiasts.
Italics indicate discontinued class. As of November 2023, the fastest official race lap records at the Guia Circuit are listed as:[2]
| Category | Time | Driver | Vehicle | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Prix Circuit (1993–present): 6.120 km[3] [4] | ||||
| Formula 3 | 2:06.257[5] | Luke Browning | Dallara F3 2019 | 18 November 2023 |
| GT3 | 2:16.051[6] |  Daniel Serra | Ferrari 296 GT3 | 19 November 2023 |
| Formula Renault 2.0 | 2:23.135 |  Scott Speed | Tatuus FR2000 | 21 November 2004 |
| Superbike | 2:23.616 | Stuart Easton | Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R | 21 November 2010 |
| Formula 4 | 2:24.791[7] | Arvid Lindblad | Tatuus F4-T421 | 12 November 2023 |
| Guia Race (WTCC TC1) | 2:26.469[8] | Robert Huff | Citroën C-Elysée WTCC | 18 November 2017 |
| Porsche Carrera Cup | 2:27.343 |  Darryl O'Young | Porsche 911 GT3 Cup | 18 November 2007 |
| Guia race (Super Touring) | 2:29.253[9] | Steve Soper | BMW 320i | 16 November 1997 |
| Formula BMW | 2:29.449[10] | William Buller | Mygale FB02 | 22 November 2009 |
| TCR | 2:29.768[11] |  Norbert Michelisz | Hyundai Elantra N TCR | 18 November 2023 |
| Asian Formula 2000 | 2:30.052[12] |  Philippe Descombes | Argo-Ford Zetec 1.8 | 18 November 2001 |
| GT4 | 2:31.392[13] |  Kailuo Luo | Lotus Emira GT4 | 12 November 2023 |
| Guia Race (Super 2000) | 2:31.437[14] | Yvan Muller | Chevrolet Cruze WTCC | 17 November 2013 |
| Road Sport Challenge | 2:32.974 |  Manabu Orido | Nissan GT-R | 21 November 2010 |
| Guia Race (Super Production) | 2:39.634 | Simon Harrison | Honda Integra Type-R | 16 November 2003 |
| Supercar race | 2:41.877 | Kevin Wong | Porsche 911 GT3 R | 19 November 2000 |
| ACMC race | 2:42.591 | Cheung Wai On | Honda RS125 | 16 November 2003 |
| Volkswagen Scirocco R-Cup | 2:46.183[15] | Duncan Huisman | Volkswagen Scirocco R | 16 November 2013 |
| Interport race[16] | 2:48.216 |  Alvaro Mourato | Honda Integra Type-R | 21 November 2010 |
| CTM Cup (Super 1600) | 2:46.990[17] | Paul Poon | Peugeot RCZ | 22 November 2015 |
| Chinese Cup[18] | 2:58.203[19] | David Zhu | Senova D70 | 19 November 2016 |
| Grand Prix Circuit (1958–1992): 6.120 km | ||||
| Group A | 2:29.740[20] | Bernd Schneider | 22 November 1992 | |
| Group 5 | 2:37.720[21] | Manfred Winkelhock | BMW 320i | 15 November 1981 |
| Group 2 | 2:44.820[22] | Hans Heyer | Ford Escort II RS | 19 November 1978 |
| Group 6 | 2:59.800[23] | Alpine A210 | 20 November 1966 | |
| Group 4 | 3:05.300[24] | Albert Poon | Lotus 23 | 15 November 1964 |
| Formula Junior | 3:10.100[25] | Arsénio Laurel | Lotus 22 | 18 November 1962 |
In 2003, Ralph Firman, winner of the 1996 F3 race, set a lap time of 1min 59.4sec during a demonstration event as part of the Macau Grand Prix's 50th anniversary celebrations in a Jordan EJ13 Formula 1 car.[26]
| Simulation / Video Game | Year | Configuration | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1954 | 1993 | 2014 | |||
| Race - The Official WTCC Game | 2006 | Yes | No | ||
| RaceRoom | 2013 | No | Yes | ||
| Race 07 | 2007 | Yes | No | ||
| Ride 2 | 2016 | - | - | ||
| Project Gotham Racing 4 (Fictional) | 2007 | - | - | ||
| Race Pro | 2009 | Yes | No | ||
| TT Superbikes Real Road Racing | 2005 | PS2 | No | ||