THE countdown is hitting its final, high-octane stretch as the South Dakota Circuit hosts round three of the GT Challenge de las Américas.
Marking the historic debut of the GT3 Series on Guyanese soil, the Guyana Grand Prix on July 11–12 is the first major international fixture to arrive in the country since the conclusion of the Caribbean Motor Racing Championship.
Elite GT3-specification machinery from iconic global marques—including Ferrari, McLaren, Lamborghini, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi—will push the limits on the newly upgraded track.
For the host nation, the stakes transcend the trophy cabinet.
The event represents a massive platform for economic growth, sports tourism, and international visibility.
“This is huge for Guyana,” said Charles Ramson Jr., Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, while speaking at a press conference at South Dakota on Wednesday.
He was emphasising the scale of the occasion. “Hosting a series of this calibre places Guyana firmly on the international map, attracting fans from across the Americas and the rest of the world.”
The government’s focus on infrastructure development is closely tied to creating a lasting legacy for what is known as the “orange economy”—the intersection of culture, entertainment, and sport.
Steven Jacobs, Minister within the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, pointed out that the weekend is designed to be a festival of national pride.
“We are actively building out brand Guyana, and there will be a cultural showpiece to complement the racing,” Jacobs noted. “It’s about showcasing our identity to the world alongside world-class athletic entertainment.”
On the sporting front, the arrival of top-tier Latin American drivers and elite race engineers guarantees a relentless level of competition. Having completed successful opening legs earlier in the season, the championship battle is reaching a boil, and the high-speed layout of South Dakota offers a unique, uncompromising challenge.
Silvia Bermudez, Marketing and Communications Lead for the GT Challenge, anticipated fireworks on the track. “The third leg will be very competitive,” Bermudez stated.
“The drivers are dialled in, the teams know how critical these points are, and the layout here is going to force everyone to bring their absolute best.”
Shairaz Roshandin, President of the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC), confirmed that fans are in for a visual and auditory treat unlike anything previously seen at the venue. “Unique cars will be on show,” Roshandin promised.
“To see these purebred GT3 machines navigating our circuit wheel-to-wheel is going to be an unforgettable spectacle.”