SJM GT CUP – FIA GT WORLD CUP SUNCITY GROUP MACAU GUIA RACE 2.0T TCR - CTCC ʻface offʼ he Macau Guia Race - fi rst held in 1972, and one of the most famous races in Asia – also offers Tone of the most sought after trophies in the careers of top touring car drivers from around the world. Before the Macau event became an FIA World Touring Car Cham- pionship (WTCC) qualifi er, the Guia race was run for a selection of races - and pro- duction-based saloon cars. Following ten years of WTCC, the race transformed into the fi nal round of both the TCR Internation- al and Asia series last year, with TCR class cars competing for the fi rst time. This year, however, the organis- ers have decided to open up the the race to cars conforming to British, European and Touring Car Championship (BTCC/ ETCC/CTCC) specifi cations, in addition to the TCR class cars already permitted to guests as the only non-TCR representatives them, even if none of them have been able Michael Bartels race last year. on the grid. East and West touring car con- to commit to the Macau race. In theory, the Basically, for this yearʼs event the reg- cepts will face off for the fi rst time. CTCC cars are of higher spec than the TCR ulations permit any 2.0 litre turbocharged Unlike private entry-oriented TCR rac- cars. To avoid any damaging difference of ermanyʼs Michael Bartels contest- champion. After his seeming failure to ships in 2006 (Michael Bartels/Andrea car from the major touring car champion- ing series and competitors, the CTCC Su- pace between these two forms of touring ed the 1989 Macau Grand Prix achieve success in F1, he switched to Bertolini), in 2007 (Thomas Biagi) and ships competing to FIA national touring per 2.0T class enjoys a lot of popularity in car the organisers have promised to ensure without a great deal of success; he F3000, fi nishing fourth overall in 1992. in 2008 (Michael Bartels/Andrea Berto- car regulations to take part. No budget Mainland China and has big fat budgets performance parity by modifying the origi- fi nished in the lower half of the fi eld He raced in the German DTM touring car lini); fi ve FIA GT Teams Championships in G requirements exist for BTCC and ETCC cars and factory support teams from Ford, SAIC nal specs of the cars, creating a level play- and was not classifi ed. But he is probably series in 1994, fi nishing a top privateer. 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 (Vi- to join the race this year, leaving the CTCC , BAIC and Hayma behind ing fi eld and good . best known to the public as the man that He has won the Nurburgring 24-Hours taphone Racing Team); one Citation Cup dated German tennis star Steffi Graf for twice; and the Spa 24-Hours in 2005, ʼ06 for gentlemen drivers in 2007 (Ben Au- a number of years in the early Nineties and ʼ08, all with . cott) and three victories at the prestigious before she married Andre Agassi, much Back in Macau, Michael Bartels won (2005, 2006, and 2008). to Bartelsʼ devastation. the 1999 Guia race at the wheel of an The outcome can be considered posi- Yet, true motor racing fans will A4 Quattro. tive in what was deemed the toughest cir- also know Bartels as the man that has Vitaphone, a German racing team, is cuit for the Modena race cars. achieved magnifi cent status for Maserati headed up by Bartels with his fi rst season A place on the podium for Müller/ in recent years. He was the star and the with the outfi t at the wheel of an Opel Ramos is the fair conclusion to a good power behind the Vitafone Racing GT1 Omega V8 in 2003. He subsequently race, run with authority in the initial team. the amazing and excit- drove a Saleen S7R for Vitaphone the stages and in the end infl uenced by the ing Maserati MC12, Bartels achieved a following year before graduating to the return of Ruffi er/Longinʼs Corvette. The number of victories, as did contemporar- Maserati MC12 for the 2005 season. third Maserati MC12, driven by the Pier ies Andre Bertolini and Pier Guidi. Born in Plettenberg, , Bar- Guidi/Bobbi duo, also ran a good race, In GT1, Bartelsʼ MC12 dominated tels currently resides in Monaco, as do arriving sixth, defending the colours of and made Maserati one of the top pro- many top racing drivers – mainly for tax Vitaphone Racing Team DHL. For the totype manufacturers (except it was not reasons as well as the convenience of record, the race was won by Bernoldi/ in truth a prototype; it was essentially a travel to various European race circuits. Streiff. The Bertolini/Bartels duoʼs fi fth road car but only if you could afford it place, together with the withdrawal of and could cope with its immense power). Paul Ricard 2009 Kumpen/Hezemans, gave the reigning Although Michael Bartels attempted With a second place at the southern champions a four-point lead in the driv- to qualify a Lotus on four occasions in F1, French circuit of Paul Ricard obtained erʼs ranking prior to the last round of the he became eminently more successful as by Alex Müller and and championship, scheduled for October team boss and one of the lead drivers of a fi fth place by Andrea Bertolini and that year in Zolder. the Vitafone Maserati MC12 squad. Michael Bartels, Vitaphone Racing Team With co-driver Andre Bertolini, Bar- mathematically wins the fi fth consecutive Still Racing tels took the 2008 FIA GT1 title with the title among the racing teams. Despite turning 48 this year, Michael Bar- seemingly indestructible MC12. The pair- This is an unprecedented result in the tels remains committed to racing, compet- ing had earlier achieved the 2006 GT- FIA GT Championship, giving the Maser- ing in the popular Blancpain GT series in a 1driversʼ title, also in the Maserati, and ati MC12 a total of eleven titles. BMW Z4. He is still part of the Vitaphone did it again in 2009. Since 2005, the MC12 has won two team, although this has been renamed Bartels was the 1985 German kart- FIA GT Manufacturers Cups in 2005 and Vita4One, for commercial reasons, ing champion and 1986 2007; three FIA GT Drivers Champion- presumably.

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suppliers/consultants within the limits of the regulations. For example, there are currently four different engine types run- ning in the championship”. “TCR“TCR isis By contrast, “the TCR cars are factory built cars subject to strict homologation rules”, our source says. “In the present con- fi guration of the two different categories thethe perfectperfect CTCC should have an advantage in terms of engine power. The cars are also approx- imately 100 kg lighter if they run without ballast and possibly better aerodynamics. The cornering performance, however, is platformplatform quite similar although CTCC has a more tunable suspension”. However, we live in an era of one- make tyre spec series, as in the old days forfor customercustomer of the Guia Race, and to further compli- cate the life of punters and racing experts 2015 TCR Asia Series vice-champion the Circuito da Guia much better”. this yearʼs Guia Race 2.0T make of tyre is Rodolfo Avila is the fi rst and only Macau Only fi ve CTCC cars have entered free, yet the TCR International and Asia racing”racing” driver to have driven the last generation this yearʼs race: two Citroën Elysées, Series competitors have to run on Miche- of CTCC cars, but is uncertain who will two Audi A3s and one Mercedes-Benz lin S9 tyres if they want to score points for win this duel. “Itʼs diffi cult to predict who C260. The look of the CTCC cars is defi - their own championships. Their Chinese will be faster as the result will depend nitely more aggressive than their TCR counterparts are likely to run on Korean upon too many factors, like the tyres, set- opponents because they are “inspired Kumho rubbers, while the non-registered ups, driversʼ skills, etc.”, explains Avila by WTCC but with some parts that have TCR cars will use whatever tyre they have who has driven CTCCʼs VW Lamando been standardised,” says one well-known at hand like Pirelli or Yokohama. The Chi- GTS and TCRʼs SEAT Léon. “On the Zhu- chief engineer in the paddocks who pre- nese tyre makers are not yet ready for hai circuit, for example, the CTCC cars fers to remain anonymous. “Suspension, this challenge - but if the rules remina the are defi nitely faster, with more aerody- brakes, clutch and electronics are the same for the next few years it wouldnʼt be namic downforce and engine power. same for all cars but with more freedom surprising to see ʻMade in Chinaʼ tyres on However, the TCR cars are more reliable in aerodynamics. Both engine and aero the grid in the most prominent touring car and the teams stronger - and they know can be developed by the teams or their race in the region.

arcello Lotti, the former General tion road going models, therefore it is obvi- promoter, therefore we welcome the CTCC Manager of the FIA World Tour- ous that TCR racing cars perform well on teams. We are talking of different techni- ing Car Championship (WTCC), the street… cal concepts, but the participation of a few Mand spiritual father and promoter CTCC cars is not detrimental to the TCR of the TCR series, had been key to fi nd a You have been one of the FIA WTCC concept. good solution for the Guia Race when the founding fathers. There has been a lot of WTCC left town. The TCR concept is de- talk about the TCR concept being severely The TCR concept was developed based signed to be a marketable, profi table and hampering the FIA WTCCʼs development on customer racing and affordable prices. spectacular, yet cost-effective competition with private teams and drivers opting for In 2015 the cost of the SEAT Léon TCR was at platform. It has borne the expectations in TCR International Series instead of the EUR70,000 but the recently launched Audi full at last year. The race was World Championship. Does this make any RS 3 LMS will cost EUR129,000 in 2017. Is seen as a great success for all involved, sense? there anything to prevent the sudden esca- granting the continuation of a top produc- Nothing like this has happened so far. lation of the costs? tion based car category that has always In fact the concepts on which the two cat- If you make a thorough analysis of been part of the Macau Grand Prix week- egories are based are very much different. the technical development, you will see endʼs DNA. The FIA WTCC is conceived for the factory that the increase in the carsʼ selling prices The CEO of TCR Promoter WSC Ltd teams, while TCR is the perfect platform for is only ostensible. The fact is that the fi rst spoke to Macau Business. customer racing. version of the SEAT Léon had been con- ceived for a one-make trophy and was Last yearʼs Guia Race was one of the This year you will have to share the closer to the production model than to best, if not the best race of the Grand Prix paddock with the CTCC cars in Macau. They a racing car. TCR cars have been devel- weekend. Did you believe that your new will certainly be comparisons. How positive oped since to offer a few racing features racing concept would work so well in Macau can this be for both series and for the event that enhance both reliability and perform- streets? itself? ance, hence the relatively higher price. That was not a surprise to me. The My personal feeling is that mingling In the case of the Audi, they have also Guia circuit suits perfectly to Touring Cars different technical regulations suits better included a sophisticated safety package, and, on top of this, the TCR technical con- endurance that races. However, we but they also offer a ʻclub sportʼ version at cept does not stray much from the produc- have very good relationship with the CTCC a much cheaper price.

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“Win on Sunday, sell on Monday” mot- to appears to be somehow valid here for all car manufacturers or private companies in- vesting in the construction of new TCR cars. The TCR concept was initially conceived to leave the big car companies out in order to allow privateers to race. Will you be able to keep the car manufacturers at bay, leaving the track fi ght for the privateers only? TCR remains a customer-oriented concept and the basic requirement to ho- mologate a TCR car is the absence of de- nial from the car manufacturer. We donʼt have factory teams in the TCR series and we donʼt think that manufacturers have an interest in changing this status. In the end, for them this is about making business and THE TCR CONCEPT selling cars and parts to the customers. The (TCR) Series is the leading platform for close-to-produc- tion touring car racing. Opposed to the factory-backed competitions such as the Bill OʼBrien: From to the FIA World German Touring Car Masters (DTM) or the FIA World Touring Car Championship Endurance Championship, motor racing in (WTCC), the TCR offers a stage for ambitioned, professional customer racing teams general has been invaded by environmen- looking to deliver exciting sport with close-to-production and attractive touring Man of many talents tal friendly rhetoric - electric racing, hybrid cars. Factory-backed teams are not allowed in the TCR. The manufacturers offer engines, etc. Does TCR have any idea up its their vehicles to the customers but are not involved in the action on the track. The ill OʼBrien, an American who lives win many races and will go well in Macau, sleeve for the future? so-called “Balance of Performance” system, successfully used in other racing se- ries, safeguards equal opportunities, thus ensuring that every manufacturer can in and Zhuhai, and who undoubtedly.” (At the time of writing Tse Everything needs to be addressed to develop and offer a competitive TCR vehicle, regardless of the conceptual inter- will be behind the wheel of a TCR was equal second with Henry Ho in the title at the right time. In motor sports this entails pretation of the production model. The key “Balance of Performance” levers in the BVW Golf GTi on race weekend, has race, behind runaway leader Andy Yan.) the technical development and the choice TCR are weight, engine output and ride height. , SEAT, Volkswagen, Ford, a long history of motor racing. Born in The Golf is powered by a 326 bhp, tur- of strategies. TCR has only been launched Opel, and are the car manufacturers that already producing New Jersey - home to Frank Sinatra, Bruce bocharged four-cylinder engine and cre- last year, thus itʼs too early to think about TCR cars. Audi and KIA will join them from 2017. Springsteen and Bon Jovi, among others - ates an amazing impression, particularly this kind of evolution. Bill has raced in such illustrious places as on tight tracks. At Macau, the TCR Golf Lime Rock, Connecticut, an awesome cir- GTi will be getting close to 270 km/h at the cuit owned by the legendary Skip Barber. end of the long Guia straight. Bill will un- Regarding other better known locales, doubtedly thank those “amazing brakes”. Bill has raced at Spa-Francorchamps in It is, as Bill puts it, “a real race car”. Belgium, as well as Sepang in – and, of course, Macau. The Future He cites tracks like the twisty, turning Bill does not rule out switching to another Sonoma in the California desert as one Volkswagen brand, the championship- of his favourites, more than the classic leading SEAT, in the future. But adds, “My Mazda Raceway at Laguna Seca, also in major opposition is myself! I never really California: “I like Sonoma which has some Danny Watts and Dan Wells on our team, believe I can achieve what I set out to do. tight corners and some tricky bends. Lagu- both top drivers in their fi elds. We take care But, I should add, ego becomes subjugat- na has the famous Corkscrew, but Sonoma of our customers and always offer help; we ed. Every time I get in a car it can be a 98 still does it for me.” also take care of their race cars if necessary. per cent learning curve, even at my age. Bill started, as so many aspiring driv- We can support our customers in practice Iʼd say that Iʼm an empty channel in a race ers do, in karts, but “I also raced on dirt and in the race; we are there to assist”. car.. I can change the way I do things. tracks in the US” – before he was old Black Arts Racing is, says OʼBrien, “Unlike golf, at which Iʼm crap, racing enough, apparently. He came to Asia – to “The only professional race school in Asia. a car comes naturally. At Lakewood Golf Beijing – many years ago and has raced We work to win championships with our Club (in Zhuhai) I can hit a shot off the tee at the Goldenport Park circuit which he de- drivers, but we know it takes time. We offer 300 yards occasionally but thereʼs only scribed in the olden days as being “dread- our people simulators as well as real course a 15 per cent chance of it landing on the ful”. It has been upgraded these days and professionals to teach them race-craft.” proper fairway! In racing I expect at least hosts a number of international events, to win my class; Iʼm more demanding on including FIA GT, touring cars and China Volkswagen GTi myself on a circuit.” Superbike races. “The VW is an amazing machine. Itʼs a Bill says he fi rst drove a Caterham Bill OʼBrien is also a partner in Zhu- true race car: the suspension is not rubber Seven on a race circuit: “I learned every- hai-based Black Arts Racing, a company, bushes like a road car, but has steel ball- thing in that car. It had a Fireblade 900 he says, which offers “a professional race joints which makes it more precise; it also cc motorcycle engine, chucking out an im- school” amongst other activities. has amazing brakes. Itʼs front-wheel drive, pressive 130 bhp, but it didnʼt steer or pos- “We do corporate track days, profes- of course, which makes it totally different sess any brakes to speak of. Thatʼs what sional training, and support and licence al- to the single-seaters I drive. Itʼs sometimes teaches you on a track!” location on behalf of the FIA. We can do ad- diffi cult to get a handle on the car. vanced training as well. We have people like “My teammate is Kevin Tse. He will Bill OʼBrien was talking to Jeff Heselwood

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