This weekend is the Macau Grand Prix and whilst a shadow of its former self, this tight street circuit is still a pillar in motorsport's end of year. Yet we think sim racing representation barely scratches the surface - have your say.
The Macau Grand Prix, a name many will recognise but perhaps not so many will have seen a race from what is a tight and technical street circuit. But travel back in time by a decade or two and this end-of-year event was a must-win for all drivers, the Formula 3 competition in particular forming an integral part of any racer's CV.
Indeed, potentially the two biggest names in Formula One history - Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher - can boast Macau victories whilst the modern crop of FIA World Endurance Championship contenders all have impressive finishes in the former Portuguese colony. But it is not just the venue's ability to promote talent that makes it so legendary.
But with a tale of two halves, the Macau Guia Street Circuit is not quite as simple as getting close to the limit. Take a look at the track map and you will see that the bottom half of the lap is all about keeping your foot flat to the floor through a series of scary sweepers with barriers either side.
Macau Guia Street Circuit Track Map. Image: Racingcircuits.info
Climb up to the second half of the lap and that high-speed nature turns into a rhythmic section that takes many laps to learn and even more to master. One missed apex or overcooked entry and you will be out of position for several consecutive turns. Meanwhile, get to the end of the lap and the tightest hairpin in motorsports awaits you, a turn so rigorous that it sits under permanent yellow flag conditions.
Formula 3 at Macau in RaceRoom. Image: KW Studios
In fact, the challenging ribbon of tarmac first hit the game's offerings in 2015 and is available to purchase either individually for just under €5 or via the Eastern Track Pack for around €15 in the R3E store.
Adding to the good news is that RaceRoom also has a strong field of GT3 and Formula 3 machinery, replicating those models racing in this year's running. Though sadly, you cannot yet replicate the two-wheel competitions the event is also famous for.
Whilst there are few representations of the circuit on our website, there is a very fun version available to download for the original Automobilista by @ClimaxF1. Using the same physics engine as the original rFactor and GTR2, handling may come across as simplistic, but we certainly still enjoy racing in Reiza Studios' original AMS title.
Looks elsewhere and you will find some Assetto Corsa and rFactor 2 representation, but we cannot guarantee the quality of such track mods. Then again, featuring all the current GT3 field thanks to its most recent update and an in-depth representation of the course, why look anywhere else than RaceRoom?
Will you be taking on the challenge of Macau this weekend? Let us know in the comments below and join the discussion in our forums!
The Macau Grand Prix, a name many will recognise but perhaps not so many will have seen a race from what is a tight and technical street circuit. But travel back in time by a decade or two and this end-of-year event was a must-win for all drivers, the Formula 3 competition in particular forming an integral part of any racer's CV.
Indeed, potentially the two biggest names in Formula One history - Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher - can boast Macau victories whilst the modern crop of FIA World Endurance Championship contenders all have impressive finishes in the former Portuguese colony. But it is not just the venue's ability to promote talent that makes it so legendary.
Macau - Uniquely Challenging
No doubt the main reason most racing fans will know of Macau and its Grand Prix will be for its immensely tight and technical circuit. Going fast here requires minute precision and an ability to skirt the barriers within millimetres.But with a tale of two halves, the Macau Guia Street Circuit is not quite as simple as getting close to the limit. Take a look at the track map and you will see that the bottom half of the lap is all about keeping your foot flat to the floor through a series of scary sweepers with barriers either side.
Macau Guia Street Circuit Track Map. Image: Racingcircuits.info
Climb up to the second half of the lap and that high-speed nature turns into a rhythmic section that takes many laps to learn and even more to master. One missed apex or overcooked entry and you will be out of position for several consecutive turns. Meanwhile, get to the end of the lap and the tightest hairpin in motorsports awaits you, a turn so rigorous that it sits under permanent yellow flag conditions.
Macau Grand Prix in Sim Racing
Despite its iconic status and tough yet rewarding challenge, we feel the Macau Street Circuit is one that falls into a silent void when it comes to sim racing representation. In fact, very few titles feature the location as official content whilst even third-party modded content struggles to do the layout justice. But if you are looking to recreate this weekend's event, here are your best bets to race the Macau Grand Prix in sim racing.Officially in RaceRoom
Over the years, with its classic DTM content and recent hidden French circuit additions, RaceRoom has become the go-to sim for oddball venues rarely seen anywhere else. And true to form, the Macau Guia Street Circuit has been an integral part of the title's track list for a number of years now.Formula 3 at Macau in RaceRoom. Image: KW Studios
In fact, the challenging ribbon of tarmac first hit the game's offerings in 2015 and is available to purchase either individually for just under €5 or via the Eastern Track Pack for around €15 in the R3E store.
Adding to the good news is that RaceRoom also has a strong field of GT3 and Formula 3 machinery, replicating those models racing in this year's running. Though sadly, you cannot yet replicate the two-wheel competitions the event is also famous for.
Throwback to Automobilista 1
If buying a new track for a decade-old game sounds like a stretch to you, do not fear, for the OverTake Downloads section is here.Whilst there are few representations of the circuit on our website, there is a very fun version available to download for the original Automobilista by @ClimaxF1. Using the same physics engine as the original rFactor and GTR2, handling may come across as simplistic, but we certainly still enjoy racing in Reiza Studios' original AMS title.
Google is your Friend
Clearly, for such a renowned event, you would expect greater variety in mod content focused around the Macau track. However, the two options above are all that are available either officially or from the OverTake Downloads page.Looks elsewhere and you will find some Assetto Corsa and rFactor 2 representation, but we cannot guarantee the quality of such track mods. Then again, featuring all the current GT3 field thanks to its most recent update and an in-depth representation of the course, why look anywhere else than RaceRoom?
Will you be taking on the challenge of Macau this weekend? Let us know in the comments below and join the discussion in our forums!
