Pastor vies in Macau race

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines’ first Asian Formula Renault champion Ferdinand “Enzo” Pastor will compete in the 2009 CTM Macau Touring Car Race under Team T.E.C. Pilipinas at the 56th Macau Grand Prix Nov. 19-22.

Pastor will drive a Toyota Altezza car prepared by Macau-based RPM Racing team. Over 200 competitors and thousands of motor sports fans are expected to converge in Macau, Asia’s newest tourist destination.

Organized in 1954 as an amateur event for local motoring enthusiasts, the Macau Grand Prix is a now a premier race of world’s leading Formula 3 and touring car drivers, and road and endurance racing motorcycle riders.

“The Grand Prix is one of the most important sporting events for Macau. Over the last decade, we have been unyielding in our insistence that the Grand Prix is organized to the very highest standards, while ensuring that it has continued to grow in every area,” said João Manuel Costa Antunes, coordinator of Macau Grand Prix Committee, the organizer of the event.

To enhance the Grand Prix experience, the Committee has improved facilities in recent years. Antunes cited improvements made to the famous Lisboa bend last year, where the number of seats increased to 5,000. He added that the total number of spectator seats for the Grand Prix has reached 15,000.

The Windsor Arch 56th Macau Grand Prix support program features five races. Macau GT Cup, Macau Road Sport Challenge, Hotel Fortuna Macau and Hong Kong Interport Race, CTM Macau Touring Car Race, and Formula BMW Pacific.