THE Guyana Motor Racing & Sports Club (GMRSC) extends its deepest condolences to the family, friends and the wider motorsport fraternity on the passing of veteran racer and respected motorsport stalwart, Victor Pires.
Pires, whose contributions to motorcycle racing in Guyana spanned more than five
decades, passed away on Monday, leaving behind a legacy that will forever be
etched in the history of local motorsport.
Widely regarded as one of the country’s most accomplished and knowledgeable
motorcycle racers, Pires excelled in both the 125cc and 250cc classes and was
revered by generations of riders for his skill, dedication and passion for the sport.
Guyana Motor Racing & Sports Club (GMRSC) President Mohamed Shairaz
Roshandin paid tribute to the late racing icon:
“Motorsport has definitely lost a pillar in Victor. His work in the sport, and moreso the motorcycle aspect, cannot be overstated. He brought tremendous value to
motorsport in Guyana and his legacy will live on for generations to come,”
Roshandin stated.
Pires began his racing career in the early 1970s during the formative years of
Guyana’s grass track racing scene, competing alongside notable figures such as
Kamil Haniff, Peter Da Silva, Clive Ng Kien, Rene Carrega and Terrence Clarke.
He quickly rose through the ranks, capturing championship honours before
transitioning to circuit racing.
Following a period in Canada, Pires returned to Guyana in the 1990s and once
again made an immediate impact. After returning to grass track competition, he
moved back to circuit racing where he dominated the 125cc category aboard
specially prepared machines.
His pursuit of excellence saw him acquire a Honda 250 Grand Prix motorcycle,
with fellow racing legend Stanley Ming serving as his mechanic. The pair
competed at Daytona in Florida before bringing the machine to Guyana, where
Pires successfully challenged much larger motorcycles in the 600cc and 1000cc
categories.
Throughout his illustrious career, Pires competed against and alongside some of
the finest riders of his era, including Wayne Vieira, Mike Correia, Kevin Graham,
Lennox Beckles and Aubrey Archer, among many others.
Beyond his achievements on the track, Pires was respected for his vast knowledge
of motorcycle racing and his willingness to share his experience with younger
competitors, helping to shape the sport’s continued growth and development.
The Guyana Motor Racing & Sports Club joins the entire motorsport community
in mourning the loss of a true champion, mentor and ambassador of motorcycle
racing.
His remarkable contributions and enduring legacy will continue to inspire racers
for generations to come.