The qualifying sessions for the hugely anticipated Caribbean clash of champions yesterday was marred by an early incident at the South Dakota circuit. According to a correspondence seen by Stabroek Sports, Mark Vieira, a revered figure in the motor racing fraternity, was involved in an altercation with the manager of Team Mohamed’s bikers’ Maurice Meneze. According to the correspondence, following the physical altercation, Meneze allegedly threatened to shoot Vieira. The GMR&SC subsequently sent out a ruling which stated that for the altercation and threat, the Team Mohamed’s riders received the penalty of being demoted by three places on the grid.