Wakenaam’s Mark Seymour set to burn the track at South Dakota

Oct 14, 2008 Sports

Mark Seymour (right) with mechanic Terrence Clarke during a practice session at South Dakota

When the Guyana Motor Racing & Sports Club hosts their big Race Meet on November 2, 2008 at the South Dakota Circuit, climaxing an exciting year for the sport, the little known motorcycle racer from the Island of Wakenaam will be aiming to make a big and lasting impression.

The name Mark Seymour is not a popular name compared with the likes of Steven Vieira, Gregory Lopes Mark Meneze and Craig Atkinson, but Seymour is promising that at the end of this meet his name will be among the top racers in the superbike category.

Seymour, who always had the inclination for speed growing up as an 8 year-old in Wakenaam where he rode the Master Bike (two stroke motorcycle) to and from the back dam, started competitive racing last year and has participated in three races so far.

“I am still working my way into the sport but I can assure the fans out there that after the next meet a new star will be born as I intend to stamp my authority.”

Seymour will be pushing an R 6 (600) 2004 machine and will be competing in all the superbike races at the South Dakota Circuit.

He is sponsored by Ricks and Sari and Cell Zone of Stabroek Market. Seymour is grateful to the Almighty for sparing his life after a very serious accident in 2006 which he says has changed his life forever.

“I was involved in a serious accident in September 2006 while I was riding a 2001 model R 6 and suffered a broken hand and also injured my spine.

But I am very thankful to god for sparing my life and after recovering I said to myself it is better to do all the fast riding on the circuit.”

Mark Seymour

Seymour is in the process of importing a 2008 model Kawasaki for the February race meet as he is serious about reaching the top.

He has always been involved in sports and is a multi talented athlete. During his school days he dominated his peers in Wakenaam at athletics, ruling the roost in the 100 and 200 meters as well as the long jump and shot put in the late 80’s and early 90’s.

He represented the Essequibo Islands at the Guyana Teachers Union National Athletics, Swimming and Cycling Championships where he competed against Guyanese star cyclist Godfrey Pollydore.

Working along with Seymour to ensure that his dream of becoming one of Guyana’s best is mechanic Terrence Clarke, a veteran motorcyclist.

Speaking with Kaieteur Sport, Clarke said that the lack of sponsorship forced him to quit as a competitor and turn to coaching. “I love this sport so much that anyone can get me to assist them in becoming a better competitor.”

Clarke took part in his first race in August of 1966 and his final race was November, 2005. His inspiration to become a competitive rider came from Johnny Tyrell who competed in the 1950’s and 60’s. Clarke also represented Guyana in overseas meets in Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname.

Some of the riders of his day were Errol and Elson Tenpow, John Thyjs Jr., Victor Peres and Carl Gouveia on the local scene. From T&T De Carta Jones, Darryl Gomes and from Suriname, Odd Urns, Kenneth Kunk Hung and Aubrey Yarde who was Guyanese but was living and working in Suriname.