Mark Vieira makes history at South Dakota- laps entire field

The “National Race of Champions” organized by the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club roared off on Sunday, July 31 at the South Dakota Circuit with ace race car driver Mark Vieira making history on the tracks.

After failing to finish in two races, Vieira came back as the underdog in the final race of his group four category, driving his customised number 58 white Mazda RX8 to take the checkered flag. Vieira lapped all his competitors, including his brother Paul (whom he lapped twice) and the famous Andrew King.

The action-packed event saw thousands of persons flocking the racing arena to witness some of Guyana’s best race car drivers compete in twenty-five different races, ranging from go-karts to the rookie race, to the superbikes and then to the Groups Two, Three and Four cars.

Short, intense, random downpours increased the difficulty for drivers, since the track became extremely slippery because of its recent resurfacing.

A Group “2B” race which was sponsored by BM Soat started off with seven competitors contesting a ten-lap event and finished with three drivers crossing the finish line legitimately.

The other four racers skidded off the track, and one vehicle even toppled over. Fortunately, no one was hurt.

The rain continued to bedevil even the elite Group Four drivers. Attempting to make the first turn right after the green flag, two drivers failed in this undertaking. One of them was Mark Vieira.

Veteran racer Paul Vieira proved that he is still a force to be reckoned with, taking the checkered flag in the Group Four ten-lap event sponsored by Giftland Office Max. The fearless Andrew King, driving car number eleven, was also in the winner’s circle. Some skilled driving came from King to take the checkered flag in a Group Four event, with Paul Vieira taking second and Danny Persaud finishing in third position.

In go-kart action, Stanley Ming Snr, driving the tiny but speedy number four go-kart, made light work of his rivals, driving off with the victory. One go-kart accident saw a young racer taking a nasty crash just after making it through the goose neck.

In the superbike category, the expected victor, Stephen “Rossi” Vieira, could have been seen waving the checkered flag ahead of his rivals, despite the slippery condition of the race track caused by the rain.