Large turnout of karters converge at GMR&SC

Mar 15, 2009 Sports

– Minister Anthony among them

Minister of Sport Dr. Frank Anthony (in kart) listens to final instructions from former motor racing champion Mark Vieira yesterday.

By Rawle Welch
With an estimated cost in the vicinity $21 million spent so far for the construction of the newly-asphalted go-kart track at the club’s Headquarters, the Guyana Motor Racing & Sports Club (GMR&SC) officially opened its doors for prospective karters yesterday.
Among those in attendance was Minister of Culture, Youth & Sport Dr. Frank Anthony, who in addition to giving brief interviews to the media was given the opportunity to drive one of the Continental Agencies Ltd / Sunburst Orange Juice-sponsored karts.

Dr. Anthony speaking with Kaieteur Sport said that he is very pleased with the work the club has been doing over the last two years, adding that motor racing is one of the disciplines that has grown in stature.
“Motor sport in Guyana has grown to a level where we now have possibly the largest Meets in the Caribbean and if not Guyana is certainly challenging the others,” Dr. Anthony said.

He added that the more than commendable growth the sport has experienced over the past couple of years speaks volumes about the club’s leadership and they must be congratulated for this. “I think that Vishok (Persaud) and his Executive have really done a wonderful job in making the entity more viable and it just shows that with a little bit of hard work and persons with foresight what can be achieved.”
The Minister pointed to the economic impact that the sport has had in the country, adding that so many other businesses benefit from the hosting of the international Meetings.

“The hotels, fast food industry, airlines, all benefit from the staging of international Meets and it is important that these businesses that profit from those events put back into the sport,” he remarked.
Speaking about the track, Dr. Anthony indicated that it is another practical demonstration of the resourcefulness of the club which has been able to do it without the assistance of the Government. “They are off to a good start here and the partnership with Canadian Enzo Chiovitti’s SQ Motor Sports will certainly take them places.”
With the intended aim to create a family atmosphere, new drivers and to generate revenue to sustain the club, Dr. Anthony said that the model is a viable one and one that other clubs can draw an inference from and copy it.

A Section of the crowd that converged at the GMR&SC Headquarters yesterday.

“They are creating different services for everyone and this is very good for the family,” he mentioned.
He lauded the club for generating an atmosphere where children can participate, which according to him provides continuity, an important feature in any sport.
Meanwhile, President of the Club Vishok Persaud in his remarks revealed that for too long they had to depend on the success of the November International Race Meeting to keep the club afloat.
“The viability of the club was too dependant on the November Meeting and we decided that other avenues of income had to be created in order for us to meet our obligations so we felt that making better use of the ground which had been idle for a number of years was the most suitable idea.”

Also visiting Guyana is NACAM PRO Secretary General and FIA Representative for the English-speaking Caribbean Trinidadian Selwyn ‘Bonny’ Persaud.
The club will be open to members of the public interested in renting the karts all week.
The hours of rental are Mondays-Fridays from 15:00hrs, while on weekend rental starts at 12:00 hrs.

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