MARK Vieira is probably one of Guyana’s most famous drivers but the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club’s (GMR&SC) September 28 Race of Champions event will have to do without him. 

Vieira has over the years thrilled the thousands who normally converge on the South Dakota Circuit but this time, the well-known driver told Chronicle Sport, “Nah, I wouldn’t be able to make it for Sunday, but definitely I’ll be there in November 16”.
The GMR&SC will host its Race of Champions and had hoped to have the former Caribbean Champion driver and high-powered Mazda RX8 in the midst but Vieira listed a number of factors that are keeping him out of Sunday’s event, one of which is a cost attached to prepare for the local meet since he’s also participating in the Caribbean Motor Racing Championship (CMRC).
Nonetheless, a classic showdown between Shiraz Roshandin in Group 2, along with Danny Persaud and the father-and-son duo of Kevin and Kristian Jeffrey, is expected to be enough to keep the highly anticipated large crowd more than entertained.
While much hype and fanfare will be on the drivers and their machines, September 28 can be a day of exhilarating Superbike rivalry.
Fans, having watched the Canadian maestro Kevin Graham dominate the local scene for many years before Guyana’s own Stephen ‘Valentino Rossi’ Vieira snatched the reins of power over the ageing champion, now have the opportunity to witness a new and exciting cadre of riders who are already creating headaches for the more established riders such as Vieira, Joel Neblett and Carlos Rodrigues.
The new kids on the block – Nikhil Seereeram, Matthew Vieira, Elliott Vieira, Stephan and Nicholas Boodhram – have been displaying steady improvement over the past two years coming through the ‘B’ Class category and are now posing a serious threat to the reign of ‘Rossi’, Neblett and Rodrigues.
Then there are Carey Griffith and Ricardo Fagundes, two riders who have dominated the ‘B’ Class for quite some time, but just like the others are finding the chasing flock hard to underrate.
Seereeram and Matthew Vieira seem to be the most talented of the young brigade with the former already posting impressive victories over local champion Stephen Vieira. He also had an impressive debut at the opening leg of the CMRC in Barbados, securing a victory against some of the best riders in the Caribbean.
Most of the young riders have come through a well-coordinated junior programme starting with karting where they honed their dexterity and handling skills, and come September 28 at the South Dakota Circuit, motor racing fans will have an excellent opportunity to see these young daredevils showcase their skills against riders who are considered the best both locally and regionally.
But as much there will be quality races, Mark Vieira will surely be missed on Sunday.

(By Rawle Toney)