Josh Buchan Makes History in Macau as Ma Qing Hua Delivers Front-Running Weekend in Guia Race Double Header

The Kumho FIA TCR World Tour weekend in Macau produced two very different but equally decisive races, with Néstor Girolami winning Saturday’s opener from pole and Josh Buchan making history on Sunday by becoming the first Australian to win the Macau Guia Race. For Asia, Ma Qing Hua delivered one of the strongest combined performances of the event, staying in the lead fight across both days.

Saturday’s Race 1 set the tone for the weekend. Girolami converted his pole into a controlled win for BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse, while Yann Ehrlacher wrapped up the TCR World Tour title with a race to spare. The race settled quickly after a busy first lap. Ehrlacher held position early, then allowed teammate Mikel Azcona through in the closing stages to take third and secure the championship.

Behind them, Ma Qing Hua shadowed Thed Björk to the line, finishing just outside the top five after managing a clean and steady run in a field that offered few chances to overtake. Josh Buchan quietly moved forward late in the race to take sixth, setting up his pole position start for Sunday.

Race 2 brought the breakthrough moment of the weekend. Buchan held his nerve off the line, briefly lost the lead into Reservoir Bend, and immediately fought back to reclaim track position on the run to Mandarin Bend. From there, he absorbed pressure from Santiago Urrutia and then from Ma Qing Hua, who emerged as his closest rival as the race settled.

Ma stayed within reach all the way to the final lap. His best shot came out of Lisboa when he found a strong exit and tried to cut back underneath Buchan, but the Australian read the move well and closed the door. A late incident for Mikel Azcona reshuffled the pack behind them, allowing Thed Björk to climb into third, but the lead fight remained unchanged.

Buchan crossed the line for a landmark victory, calling it the biggest moment of his career. Ma completed the race in second and delivered one of the standout Asian drives of the weekend, combining consistency on Saturday with a front-running fight for the win on Sunday.