SJM VSR Theodore Racing enters FIA GT World Cup at 71st Macau GP
Single-seater experts Theodore Racing are adding an additional twist to their annual Macau Grand Prix participation for 2024 by fielding a two-car entry in the FIA GT World Cup event on the famed street circuit.
The team already boasts multiple victories in the Chinese enclave, predominantly in the headlining F3 events in the past, but for the 71st running of the Macau’s race weekend, is teaming up with avid supporter SJM Resorts, S.A. (SJM) and Vincenzo Sospiri Racing (VSR) to run a pair of Lamborghini Huracan GT3 Evo2s for sportscar stalwarts Edoardo Mortara and Matteo Cairoli.
Once again, SJM reunites with the Theodore team — which claimed Macau success as far back as 1983 with the late Ayrton Senna — as title sponsor for the 2024 Grand Prix. As a premier integrated tourism and leisure enterprise in Macau, SJM owns and manages a distinguished portfolio of iconic hotels under the Lisboa brand.
In Mortara and Cairoli, Theodore Racing and SJM have two accomplished GT category veterans in their 2024 lineup. Mortara boasts a long — and ultra-successful — relationship with the formidable Guia Circuit, and will be making his 11th appearance in Macau this year. Dubbed “Mr Macau” for his success, the Swiss driver will be looking to add to a record ten previous victories in the enclave, including back-to-back F3 Grand Prix titles and six in GT competition, including the 2017 FIA GT World Cup. Most recently, Mortara finished second in last year’s event for Audi Sport Asia Team Absolute.
Italian Cairoli, meanwhile, may only have made one previous appearance at Macau, finishing 11th in the World Cup for Absolute Racing last season, but was a multiple race winner in Porsche GT machinery and triumphed in the prestigious Nurburgring 24 Hours as recently as 2021. Like Mortara, Cairoli is a member of Lamborghini’s factory roster, with both drivers having spent the 2024 season campaigning the marque’s new SC63 hypercar in both the FIA WEC and IMSA sportscar championships.
The choice of Lamborghini’s Huracan will be a welcome addition to the FIA GT World Cup grid, the marque not having been represented in the blue riband event since Chinese team FFF Racing fielded original specification versions of the car in the 2016 and 2017 races. VSR, however, has been a regular entrant of the Italian supercar in GT competitions across Europe and Asia since 2015, claiming multiple championship titles in the process. The Evo2 spec Huracan is powered by a V10 engine, putting 640bhp to the tarmac through a six-speed transmission and Pirelli tyres.
Team president Teddy Yip commented.
“I’m delighted that Theodore Racing is partnering with both SJM and VSR at this year’s FIA GT World Cup in Macau. Entering the GT arena is an exciting development for the team, and I’m thrilled to have both Edoardo and Matteo — two exceptional Lamborghini factory drivers — on board to drive our Huracan GT3 Evo2s in what is sure to be a hard-fought event.”
Ms. Daisy Ho, Managing Director of SJM, stated,
“As long-standing partners, SJM is thrilled to support Theodore Racing’s foray into the GT race in the Macau Grand Prix. Our partnership has not only celebrated numerous successes but has also been instrumental in promoting Macau as a top-tier destination for motor sporting. As they take on this new challenge, we celebrate the spirit of adventure and excellence that our collaboration stands for.”
Vincenzo Sospiri, VSR commented,
“I’m very proud to be at Macau this year with the support of our event partners SJM and Theodore Racing. Lamborghini have given us two very competitive drivers with impeccable Macau pedigree and we are all looking forward to what I’m sure will be a special experience.”
The Macau Grand Prix runs between 14-17th November, with the FIA GT World Cup sharing top billing with the Formula Regional Grand Prix event. Macau is hosting the World Cup for a seventh time, bringing together the leading GT competitors from around the world in a showcase event to determine the best of the best. The prestigious location generates considerable media coverage and the World Cup has become a must-do event for GT teams, drivers and manufacturers. International viewers can watch the action via a worldwide live stream on the Macau Grand Prix website (www.macau.grandprix.gov.mo).
