British Touring Car Championship teams offered Macau GP race slot
British Touring Car Championship teams have been tentatively offered the possibility of running their cars as part of the Macau Grand Prix event
As revealed by AUTOSPORT's sister publication Motorsport News, Macau organisers have contacted BTCC series director Alan Gow about the possibility of the teams and cars contesting the Guia race for touring cars that runs as part of the Formula 3 Grand Prix weekend.
Macau had hosted the World Touring Car Championship finale since 2005 but with that event switching to Qatar from 2015, circuit bosses have approached the BTCC and other series over options for replacing it, with a multi-class event a possibility.
"The bosses at Macau have been in touch with TOCA," Gow confirmed. "They are looking at various options and the BTCC cars are one of those options.
"They asked me if teams would be interested so I got in touch with the teams and most of them said yes.
"The reaction has been positive, but I think they will only bring a handful of cars.
"The organisers haven't had direct contact with the teams so they are just fishing around to see what is available."
It is understood that Macau organisers have offered to cover the cost of freight and travel, leaving the teams to attract the required running budget.
Motorbase boss David Bartrum said the event would be popular if the teams' costs could be covered.
"It is a lovely idea," he said. "It would be a good way of generating extra budget during the closed season.
"They have given us some idea about what they would help with in terms of costs and it looks very appealing."
This year's Macau Guia event, which prior to the WTCC's stint had been an international touring car race for race- and production-based saloons, takes place on November 21-22.
The new TCR International series, founded by ex-WTCC boss Marcello Lotti, has also been linked with a race at the end-of-season showpiece, but organisers claim the line-up is yet to be confirmed.
For more on this story, including reaction from 1992 BTCC champion Tim Harvey and 2013 champion Andrew Jordan, check out this week's issue of Motorsport News, in shops now
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