The refreshed Splitlath Redmond team will need all of their new found self belief and courage when they head for the Macau peninsula on the coast of mainland China in November.

Endurance racing is all about spirit, reliability and ignoring fatigue; the 8 hour Macau GP demands that each rider also ignore the very real dangers which this barrier-lined street circuit presents.

Situated an hour on the ferry from Hong Kong, the Macau GP started life in 1954 as a treasure hunt through the city and it was not long before those taking part realised that just driving really fast was the fun part and the race was born.

Today the event is a weekend like few others with Formula 3, World Touring cars and Superbikes on the programme.

The circuit winds and twists through the city in a very Monaco GP style which makes for a thrilling spectacle as riders frequently rub their shoulders on the concrete walls while clipping corners as close as possible.


Temperatures are high and the humidity higher so time on the motorcycle is limited for the sake of safety: the race is less than 45 minutes but in the time there is no rest for the riders as they snake around the city streets.

Mark Miller explains something of the special nature of the Macau Grand Prix:

"The Macau Grand Prix is a huge International affair with city-wide pageantry, nightlife parties, grandstands full of excited fans, and some very special very expensive cars racing as well. It's invitation only so not just anyone can show up and enter the races, which is special. "

Brandon Cretu, team mate to Miller at Splitlath Redmond, is also looking forward to his return to Macau after a successful outing last year:

"Once you race at the TT and Macau, nothing else quite does it for you. I would say it is a combination of the intrinsic challenge of these unique events as well as the camaraderie between all of the teams and competitors which makes them special."

The 2013 Macau Grand Prix is going to be a fitting finale to our year, and since this year marks the 60th anniversary of the Grand Prix it is going to be very special indeed.

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