Loeb revved up for Macau debut
Sebastien Loeb says he is looking forward to making his debut on Macau's Guia circuit this weekend, comparing the street track to some of the toughest rally stages he faced in a storied career.
The nine-time WRC champion will join newly-crowned Porsche Carrera Cup Asia titleist Earl Bamber and PCCA runner-up/Porsche Supercup regular Martin Ragginger in making a first appearance in Macau, as the series supports the annual F3 Grand Prix in the Chinese enclave. Along with the event's Diamond Jubilee celebrations, the Porsche 911 50th anniversary will be celebrated this weekend, as the Carrera Cup Asia boasts an impressive field of 23 GT3 Cup cars, boosted by several entries from the sister series in Japan.
Loeb will have just one 30-minute practice session to learn the unforgiving 6.2km circuit ahead of Saturday's qualifying session, while the PCCA race will run over ten laps on Sunday (10 November).
"I only know that it's a hard track, but that drivers appreciate it in general," the Frenchman admitted, "Everybody tells me that it's unique and great to drive on.
"Overall, [street circuits are] something that I enjoy. It reminds me of the rally, because there is no release and no room for error. In general, these are intense races, which are played on the details, and maximum risk-taking in qualification. I love it!"
As well as Bamber, Loeb will face opposition from PCCA series regulars with previous Macau experience, including LKM Racing's Keita Sawa, winner of the Macau GT Cup in 2009 and 2010 and runner-up in the Macau round of the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia in 2006 and 2007.
