Macau Grand Prix: Michael Rutter joins Peter Hickman and Josh Brookes at FHO Racing BMW

FHO Racing BMW will run three riders at this year’s Macau Grand Prix with veteran racer Michael Rutter joining Peter Hickman and Josh Brookes.

Returning after a three-year hiatus, Rutter is a nine-time winner at Macau, making him the most successful biker at the iconic event. He made his Macau debut in 1994, celebrated his first podium in 1996 and secured his maiden win in 1998.

Rutter’s last victory at the event was in 2019, when the race result was declared after just one lap having been completed. The race had already been restarted once following an incident on lap four, before a six-rider incident ended the second race prematurely.

“I’m looking forward to going back to Macau, the last time I raced there was in 2019 which turned out to be a short race with just one lap,” Rutter said. “Heading back this year with FHO Racing is quite a big deal, they’re the biggest team in the UK and after their success at the Isle of Man TT Races, we should be in for some good results.

“I’m looking forward to being teammates with Josh [Brookes] and Peter [Hickman], I’ve raced against them so much in the past so although it’ll be highly competitive, the three of us will be a strong team.”

Meanwhile, Hickman has three Macau race wins to his name after crossing the line first in 2015, 2016 and 2018. Hickman led the initial race in 2019 by over seven seconds before the red flags were waved.

“I’m super excited to get back to Macau this year, the last time I raced there was in 2019, which was four years ago now, so I’m really looking forward to getting back out there,” Hickman said. “With the FHO Racing team it’s going to be a special one; it’s Faye’s home event and the first time the team has raced there, so it’s going to be really cool.”

For Brookes, it’s going to be an entirely new experience as the Aussie has never competed at the event before. Brookes made his return to road racing with FHO earlier this year at the Isle of Man TT and finished fifth in the blue ribband Senior TT race.

“The Macau Grand Prix is going to be interesting, obviously I have a career of road racing with results at the North West and the Isle of Man TT, but Macau is different from those races, it’s more like a short circuit with walls, as opposed to a public road so to speak.” Brookes commented.

“The real true road racing event is the Isle of Man TT, and the absolute pinnacle of racing extremes you know what you can achieve from a motorcycle is achieved in short circuits, so having never ridden at Macau before that’s where my head’s at. I see it being more like a short circuit, let’s say a smoother more refined ground to ride on but obviously surrounded by walls.

“It’s a really different mindset to go to the event in, I can’t make too many predictions or have any ideas going forward because I’ve never been to the event, never watched the event or been there before, so I’m pleased to be able to be a part of the Macau Grand Prix. It’s Faye’s hometown and it means a lot to her, so I’m honoured that she would be happy to put a bike out for me to race.

“I’m looking forward to the experience, you know results wise I wouldn’t put any expectations on myself because having never been there before I can’t imagine what it will be like, but I certainly look forward to the challenge.”

As mentioned by Brookes, the Macau Grand Prix is particularly special for team owner Faye Ho, who grew up in the city and has had a long association with the event through sponsorship deals with various teams and riders.

“I’m so excited to get back to Macau and especially now with my own team,” Ho said. “I grew up watching the races and that’s where my passion for motorsport started. My dream was to always return one day with my own team and after some success sponsoring teams and riders, this year my dream will come true when FHO Racing makes its debut at the Macau Grand Prix.

“We enjoyed fantastic results at the TT Races this year and I think heading to Macau we have a super-strong team with Michael and Peter, who have a wealth of experience and wins between them. For Josh, it’s his first time at the event, so of course there’s no pressure on him, but he’s shown his skill on the roads and I’m excited to see how he gets on.”

The Macau Grand Prix begins with the first free practice session on November 16, with the 12-lap race scheduled to take place on November 18. 2023 marks the 55^th edition of the Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix.