By Mike Sy
INQUIRER.net
LAST weekend, I took a trip to Macau with my family and, on a rainy Sunday, when I was supposed to travel with them by ferry to Hong Kong, I was prevented from leaving by Macau immigration because I could not show them my stamped departure card (unfortunately, my wife misplaced it) and also forgot to bring my valid passport (my wife accidentally brought an expired one and left the valid one at our hotel). After telling them to go ahead without me (yipee!), I checked my city map to see how to get to the Macau Grand Prix Museum. I was happy to find that it was just a short five-minute walk from my hotel.
The museum, which opened in 1993 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Macau Grand Prix, is an avid racing fan’s dream with various car and motorcycle displays, pictures and other memorabilia. There is also an F1 simulator to test your skills in a Formula 1 car.
The grand prix itself was a stepping stone for many racing drivers, and it was amazing to see how many of the famous names from Formula 1 and MotoGP began their fledgling careers by competing in the Macau Grand Prix. The list included Michael and Ralf Schumacher, Takuma Sato, David Coulthard, Mikka Hakkinen, Ayrton Senna and Jenson Button to name a few. From MotoGP, I saw the name of former world champion Kevin Schwantz.
On prominent display in the museum, and one that I had to see, was the car of Arsenio “Dodgie” Laurel, a Filipino, and the first driver to win the Macau Grand Prix in succession. I was proud to see his car (a Lotus F22 Ford FJ) on display with the Philippine flag on its side.
Before leaving the museum, I had to try the F1 simulator and see what it feels like to be in a cramped race car. After fitting my chubby frame into the tight confines of the tub, I raced a 2002 F1 McLaren racecar in the simulated Mugello circuit and achieved a best lap time of 1 m 58.932 s.
Overall, the Macau Grand Prix Museum is very interesting and a must-see for race fans, both young and old.
After purchasing a Macau Grand Prix souvenir cap from the museum store, I smiled as I left the museum thinking to myself how different things would have been for me if I had left for a trip to Hong Kong on a ferry boat.
December 24th, 2007 at 11:42 am
The car in the pic at the top of the story (Marlboro)…what car is that? Given the writing on the side, I don’t think it’s a Mclaren but I could be wrong.
August 7th, 2007 at 3:32 pm
Mclaren are Cheaters !
I think Flavio was right, Mclaren are cheating from the data they have from Ferrari.
This is based on the short and commanding improvements they have gained despite using Bridgestone for only a few months.
BMW despite improving have not won a race, Renault took a dive, Honda is sinking.
Mclaren have not only improved but won a couple of races and some 1-2’s.
That is enough evidence, you can not improve overnight.
They have data from Ferrari, that is enough to punish then.
Its like I stole your watch but I’m not using it so why punish me ?
Common FIA !!!!
http://www.sprots-couch.blogspot.com
July 3rd, 2007 at 7:32 pm
[...] Sports Aficionado: A visit to Macau Grand Prix Museum [...]
July 1st, 2007 at 8:16 pm
pls. kindly feature all the filipino winners in the2007 world taekwondo festivals in malaysia.i heard the phils. got more golds than the previous festivals. thanks
June 30th, 2007 at 6:41 pm
[...] Sports Aficionado: A visit to Macau Grand Prix Museum [...]