By Rawle Toney
Since 1993, Kevin Graham has been coming to Guyana to compete in the Caribbean Motor Racing Championships (CMRC).
The daredevil Graham has been a must-see for many diehard racing fans, especially those who share a special passion for the ‘big bikes’.
Yesterday, the Canadian made it clear that he was here to continue his winning tradition.
In 2007, Graham formed an alliance with the Continental Group of Companies and was given the bike which is known as the monster, a Suzuki 1000cc.
So fast is this machine that Graham sometimes rides from the back of the grid as far as the goose neck and still manages to come out on top.
This year, Graham will take the track on his Sunburst Orange Juice Sponsored R6 Yamaha 600.
But one local rider, Stephen Vieira, was always determined to dethrone the reigning super bike champion and has already thrown out a challenge, warning Graham that he is coming and coming hard.
Over the past year, Vieira, on his new Suzuki GSX 600, has certainly improved and has even taken his winning ways to Barbados, a sign Graham openly welcomes because as he said, he now he knows he will undoubtedly have to bring his ‘A’ riding.
“There are some really good riders here; they are getting better and better and I’m getting older and older. I’m not making excuses, but these guys are getting faster and faster for sure, so I know it is going to be hard work on Sunday,” the 40-year old Graham said.
Apart from competing against the likes of Vieira and Maurice Menezes, among others, the Canadian will have to match skills with riders from Jamaica and Barbados and he expressed his delight in doing so.
“Like I said, the riders are getting really, really good and I’m looking forward for the other riders from the Caribbean being here too. I’m very sorry that I missed Barbados and I’m very sorry I missed Jamaica and Barbados this year. Honestly, my goal was to go at least to Barbados to represent Guyana, but maybe next time,” the Canadian former pro-rider said.
Graham assured fans that on Sunday he is going to give them his best showing but as always, he did not make any predictions.
“All I know is that on Sunday I’ll give you guys 110%, if I end up on top of the box, it’s great for my sponsors, if I end up at the bottom of the box, hey, that’s ok too, what I know is I’m going out to give my best, that’s what I can say for sure. Physically I feel pretty good other than getting old; I’m going to be sore after a couple days of riding. I’ve got a lot of old injuries that are bugging me these days, but I’m ok, I’m not making any excuses,” Graham said.