In a statement yesterday, the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) made it pellucid that ‘no permission’ has been granted to anyone to host any event of any kind at the South Dakota Circuit.
In a release to the media, the GMR&SC, the local body charged with the administration and control of all motorsport events noted several instances where persons have been using parts of the ‘drag strip’ with an aim to hosting racing events/meets.
Brought to the club’s attention via social media, some instances have featured persons attempting to drag race using sections of the strip.
The club stated that it is in no way, shape or form associated with those events and discourages its members from participating in them.
It is against the National COVID-19 guidelines to host an event without proper permission from the National COVID-19 Task Force (NCTF).
The club wishes to remind all members and competitors that attending, promoting, and participating in non-sanctioned GMR&SC events may result in bans or suspension of said competitors and team members.
Movable blockade across drag strip
GMR&SC also notes comments by some club members regarding the ‘privatization of the track’ by racing stakeholders stemming from a ‘fence’ erected across the drag strip.
The club wishes to categorically deny any such ideology of privatization. Due to private citizens and even members of the club attempting to host unsanctioned drag race meets and to prevent the heavy machinery which frequents the area from destroying the strip, the club has sought to protect the investment made by Team Mohammed’s Enterprise with the erection of a ‘movable blockade.’
For members wishing to utilise the track for private testing of their cars, contact can be made with the office to secure permission and subsequent removal of the blockade.
Those persons that are granted permission for testing are also reminded that they must adhere to all COVID-19 guidelines set out by the Government of Guyana regarding the wearing of masks and social distancing.
Those granted permission must also be reminded that private testing is not racing.
Events update
GMR&SC has been in constant consultation with the NCTF to gain the requisite permission for the hosting of several events for the remainder of the year. These talks have been set back by the videos and photos of unsanctioned racing at the South Dakota circuit but despite these occurrences, the club has managed to regain the trust of the NCTF.
To that end, the club has put forth a request for a spectator-less and advertisement-free event in the near future. In light of this, the club is urging all drivers, team members, marshals, and officials, to get vaccinated as it tries to mimic the same guidelines set out for the recent hosting of the West Indies versus Pakistan cricket series.
