The Early Races (1960s – 1970s)

As the “Swinging Sixties” began, the Grand Prix was run under the world motorsport governing body’s 1960 regulations as a national Portuguese race, with foreign participation for sports and grand touring cars only. The early years of the decade saw a move away from the all-conquering sports cars with adventurous amateur drivers at the wheel, to single-seater racing thoroughbreds driven by full-time professionals.

By 1971, organizers had established a new engine limit for single-seater cars of 1600cc, with no more than two valves per cylinder. In 1975, the Macau Grand Prix was placed under the jurisdiction of the motorsport world governing body for an initial period of three years. This meant that, providing all safety measures were met, the event would become an officially-sanctioned Macau Grand Prix for the first time. With the prospect of full endorsement by the governing body in 1977, number of big-name entries arriving from overseas was growing. By 1978, its Silver Jubilee year, the Grand Prix was stronger than at any other time in its history. Drivers of the highest international standing were now competing on a regular basis, and the circuit itself was much improved.