Jointly organized by the Macao Sports Development Board (MSDB), the Macao Government Tourist Office (MGTO) and the Automobile General Association Macao-China (AAMC), the 2007 Macao International Kart Grand Prix will be staged in Macao on December 15 and 16.

Director of MGTO João Manuel Costa Antunes, Head of Sports Development Department of Macao Sports Development Board Pun Weng Kun, President of the General Assembly of AAMC Lo Keng Chio, President of the Board of Directors of AAMC Chong Coc Veng and Asian Karting Open Championship Managing Director Johnny Tan were present at the press conference today (December 7) to brief the media about the race arrangement.

Macao will host this Karting event for the fourth consecutive year and the previous events were acclaimed as successful by both spectators and competitors. This year, in addition to a number of leading karters who will join the KF 1 (formerly known as Formula A) and KF 3 (formerly known as Junior ICA) categories, the Asian Karting Open Championship (AKOC) has given the race higher profile by tying up with the ROK Cup again. In addition, Yamaha Cup will make its debut in this event to enrich the race program.

The organizer specially invited about 30 world-class KF 1 (formerly known as Formula A) and KF 3 (formerly known as Junior ICA) Karters who had outstanding performance in various world-class karting competitions. Among them are the following Champions:-

KF 1
1)  MARCO ARDIGO (Italy) Born 26.06.1983
2007 World Karting Champion; Winner of the 2007 CIK-FIA World Cup for KF 1; 2007 European KF 1 Champion; 2nd in the 2007 CIK-FIA World Cup for KZ 1; 4th in the 2006 World Karting Championship; 2005 & 2006 European Formula A Champion

2)  GARY CATT (UK) Born 28.09.1980
2007 World Karting Vice-Champion; 2nd in the 2007 CIK-FIA European KF 1 Championship; 3rd in the 2007 CIK-FIA World Cup for KF 1; Winner of the 2007 KF 1 Italian Open Masters (Italian Championship)

KF 3
1)  TOM GRICE (UK) Born 24.06.1992
2007 CIK-FIA European KF 3 Vice-Champion

2)  CARLOS SAINZ JR (Spain) Born 01.09.1994
Winner of the 2007 1st Open International de Karting Ciudad del Motor de Aragon (Alcaniz) in KF 3
Sainz Jr is the son of multiple Rally World Champion Mr Carlos Sainz

In addition, the region´ s most talented drivers will also battle it out for the fifth round of the 2007 Asian Karting Open Championships.

A line up of about 200 competitors from 20 countries and regions, including Denmark, United Kingdom, Finland, Holland, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Norway, Philippines, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, Mainland China, Chinese Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao will take part in various racing categories of the Macao International Kart Grand Prix.

There are 14 drivers from Macao joining the competition, more than doubling the numbers of last year. Among them, Chang Wing Chung Andy, who is 11 years old, is the 2007 China Junior "A" Champion. Of the total 29 entries in the ROK Senior class, 13 are from Macao amongst whom is Joao Carlos de Jesus Afonso who is the 2007 Macao Champion. The youngest competitor, Christian Joseph Gaddi from the Philippines who will compete in the Formula Cadet 60 category, is only 8 years old. There are only 3 females who will be racing. They are Michelle Gatting from Denmark who will join the KF 3 class, Clarissa Clio from Indonesia in the Rotax Max Junior and Diana Rosario from Macao in the ROK Senior class.

2007 Macao International Kart Grand Prix will gather together the best drivers from the world to bring thrilling and high level races to motor fans and visitors alike.

While admission is free, entry will be restricted to holders of admission coupons which are available now at Kong Seng´ s 3 service stations at Av. Conselheiro Ferreira de Almeida, Rua Comandante Mata e Oliveira and Av. Horta e Costa, the main office of the Macao Sport Development Board (Macao Forum, Block 1, 4th floor, Av. Dr. Rodrigo Rodrigues), the Automobile General Association Macao-China (Edf. Grande Pr?mmio de Macao, Av. da Amizade, opening hours: 9:30am to 6:30pm) and 4 tourism information counters of MGTO at the Macao International Airport, Macao Ferry Terminal, Border Gate Checkpoint and Ritz Building at Senado Square. Limited amount of tickets will also be available on site on December 15 and 16. There will be free admission for the practice days on December 13 and 14.

Macao Satellite TV will also transmit a 10-minute highlight of the races on December 15 and 16 through satellite, facilitating more instant and convenient coverage by the international media to promote Macao and the event.