Latest update February 23rd, 2025 1:40 PM
Latest News
- Miner dies after tree stump falls on head
- Drunken businessman shoots wife dead during argument
- Taxes collected by Bahamas on Guyana’s oil will soon outweigh our total earnings – Chris Ram
- Gov’t ignores concerns, reappoints Director, members of Environmental Assessment Board for 3rd consecutive year
- Pope Francis in critical condition after health deteriorates, Vatican says
You should be there
Excitement expected in all categoriesBy Rawle Welch
The collective pronouncement throughout the years from many motor racing fans is that it is one of the biggest weekends in sport annually in this country.
With the Caribbean Series interestingly poised for a close finish, the day of racing at the South Dakota Circuit this November promises to be one of excitement for fans that have every reason to be there.
Ever since its re-emergence in 1988, the sport has meant a lot to Guyanese, they will tell you about how well organised the Meetings are, its relevance on the sporting calendar and the thrill and entertainment it provides for not only ardent supporters.
Flashback: Canadian Kevin Graham (extreme left) leads Stephen Vieira (#46) as they approach the first turn at the South Dakota Circuit.
Another major impact the sport has made is that it has become a significant tourism product which has accumulated millions of dollars over the period.
A sport which has always relied on the business community for its sustenance, it suffered a major setback in 1983 when due to the economic adversities that the country was experiencing at the time, it came to an unavoidable standstill.
However, under President Desmond Hoyte, who tranquilised many of the tough strategies of the preceding administration, the sport was able to make a revival that has seen it improve to a level where it could brag about being responsible for a sizeable portion of the sports tourism financial pie.
Thanks to the sterling efforts of a group of businessmen that included Andrew King, Stanley Ming, Jad and Ray Rahaman, Chris, Mike and Keith Correia and George Jardim, whose financial resources were pooled together to restore the track and infrastructure that were in total collapse, the sport has enjoyed a new lease on life.
Motor racing has taken on a new meaning in terms of preparations, the competitors are now more disposed to prepare at their level best to produce good performances on race day and it is because of the respect and appreciation they have for the paying patrons.
They’ve recognised the huge sacrifices that fans make to present themselves up at the Circuit and it is this reverence that has made the sport what it is today.
It is almost unlikely for any competitor not to make improvements to his or her machine between Meets for fear of losing ground to opponents.
The rivalry is intense, it never ends and in order to maintain dominance, modifications and various other upgrading needs to be made frequently.
Meanwhile, the recent news that defending champion Stuart Maloney’s Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI was totally destroyed has set the stage for a straight fight between his brother Mark, who lies second in the Caribbean Series with 39 points, just nine adrift of Jamaican David Summerbell Jr.
Unfortunately, none of the local drivers are in contention to take the title, but that should does not lessen their intensity since being on home turf must be the biggest reason to do well and salvage some pride.
At the Bushy Park Circuit in Barbados, both Andrew King and Kevin Jeffrey performed creditably and with the comfort of being back on a track that they know so well, fans could be in for real treat as the Guyanese look to dominate and take top honours.
The lower categories are also expected to be just as exciting with the Rahaman clan of Jad and Ryan expected to be very competitive as usual, while the CAMS Group out of the USA anticipated being very strong.
Canadian Kevin Graham, who has been a nemesis for local riders, is set to return, but should see a more competitive and confident Stephen Vieira, whose daredevil riding at the Barbados Meet was a revelation.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
Crowds, chaos and complaints
Peeping Tom… Kaieteur News- The folly of the cash grant distribution is a textbook case of what happens when a government,... more
Why the U.S. Should Strengthen Trade Ties with the Caribbean
By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News- A rules-based international trading system has long been a foundation of global commerce,... more
Weekend Cartoon
