COME Sunday, Guyana’s top riders and drivers will all converge on the South Dakota Circuit for the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club’s (GMR&SC) ‘Race of Champions’. 

“We’re putting all systems in place to ensure we have a successful event,” president of the GMR&SC, Johnny Carpenter, said in an interview with Chronicle Sport yesterday.
According to Carpenter, with Guyana preparing to host its leg of the Caribbean Motor Racing Championship (CMRC) on November 16, Sunday’s event sets a great platform for not only the club to work on some of the things needed to host the ‘Caribbean showdown’, but for the drivers and their machines to be competition-ready.
“The meet on Sunday is where we (GMR&SC) will be putting certain systems to the test because we want to have a flawless meet in November. Also, there’s no other way for us to make sure that our local guys are ready, than to have a race

meet and put them in actual race mode and competition,” Carpenter said.
Carpenter pointed out that with Guyana chasing championship glory at the event in November, Sunday provides the GMR&SC with a chance to select the best possible team to ensure that the overall trophy remains at home.
He added, “I think most of the guys want to do well in November and we want to have the best team to represent Guyana and Sunday’s event will give us that. I believe that it will be great and I encourage everyone to come out.”
Meanwhile, the GMR&SC president said that he’s unaware of the non-participation of former Caribbean Champion Mark Vieira and pointed out, though it’s a blow to the event there are enough events that will intrigue the thousands expected but the racing stalwart will be missed.
“I know people like seeing him race, but I think we’ll have enough rivalry on Sunday. I know Andrew King left to take care of a personal matter that he has been putting off for a long time and if he returns on time, he’ll be racing but we have Keith Evelyn, Kevin Jeffrey and others in Group 4 who will be exciting to watch,” Carpenter said.
As it relates to crowd support, Carpenter pointed out, “I know we’re in tough economic times but we’re hoping our usual supporters and motor racing fans alike all come out and support us because the guys normally deliver on race day some exciting races. Also, September is a usually sunny month and we’ve been blessed with great weather so far and I know it will continue on to Sunday so people can come out and be entertained.”

(By Rawle Toney)