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With the historic hosting of the GT Challenge de las Américas series here just over three months away, the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) has begun the mammoth task of bringing the South Dakota circuit into the 21st century.
Following the announcement and later track visit by officials of the GT Challenge de las Américas, along with government officials and club executives, a major infrastructure upgrade was mandated if the club is to honor its commitments to host the series at the Mecca of Caribbean motorsport.
The magnitude of the work needed to bring the venue up to scratch with an aggressive program by the newly elected executive of the GMR&SC means the calendar of events must shift, according to President Mohamed Shairaz Roshandin.
“The sheer volume of work outlined to us by the organisers of the GT3 class of racing before the July event means that as a club, we have had to make the hard decision, that decision being putting off the first round of the circuit racing championship initially set for April 12.”
“It’s not something we want to do, but at the same time, with the scope of work that needs to go into the modernizing of our South Dakota track, it means that even with resources working around the clock, we still would not be able to complete said works in time for that April 12 event,” the GMR&SC boss added.
He added that the club is in the process of identifying a suitable replacement date and will keep fans and racers alike updated.
Among the slew of changes to be made are a complete revamp of the entire front straight to accommodate the caliber of racing expected come July, the upending and replacement of several curbs within the track perimeter, and the lengthening of the pit straight.
“For now, and I can give you a layman’s terms of things, we have to basically renovate about 70% of the front stretch. All the old fencing between the pit and the front straight has to be uprooted and replaced with a solid concrete pit wall and catch-fencing. We are talking about at least a quarter to half mile of work where we need to put down a structure in keeping with the prescribed guidelines. In that as well, we need to create what is deemed a ‘hot lane’ where cars can come into the pit as well as the normal garage-like area.”
The GMR&SC head also contended that these works are mandatory if they are to host events like the 2026 GT Challenge de las Américas and other regional series, something the current executive is considering.
The upgrades, he said, will significantly enhance local motorsport.
“After these works are put in, drivers and riders will now have a facility that is up to standard and on par with most, if not all, in the Caribbean and Latin America. This will open the door to competitors honing their skills; something as simple as having the right height and style of curbs can unlock more cornering speeds and faster driving lines and therefore make better, more agile competitors; they can now translate this information when they go to other racing venues in the Caribbean and other locations so no longer will they be on the backfoot.”
“We’ve already begun the work because the clock is ticking; we have deadlines to meet; they are ambitious, but the team that is backing me and with the support of the government of Guyana and the private sector through the racing stakeholders, I have no doubt we will get this done.”
Guyana will play host to the third round of the championship from July 11-12, 2026.
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