Super-bike racer Kevin Graham in full gear for Caribbean championships

By Ravendra Madholall

Canada’s veteran super-bike rider Kevin Andrew Graham is preparing eagerly for the upcoming 2012 Caribbean Motor Racing Championships to be held in Barbados on September 1 at Bushy Park.
Having represented Guyana for almost two consecutive decades, the 43-year-old Canadian-born champion rider is anxious to continue with the dominance he left off last year at all three Caribbean Championship races, which were held in Jamaica, Barbados and the final leg in Guyana.

With Guyana languishing at the bottom of the points table after the initial round at Dover Park, Jamaica, this year, the stalwart rider is very optimistic they can rebound in the final two encounters, particularly with the final competition slated for November at the South Dakota Circuit in Guyana.
According to the sensational rider, his Kawasaki 600cc bike is ‘revving’ nicely and that gives him the confidence to make a big impression in Barbados where he has done tremendously well over the years.
“I [am] confident of doing well in Barbados; I am very familiar with the track and I think we have a good team too to come out successful,” Graham told Caribbean Times International Magazine.
Graham, who will be vying for supremacy in the super-bike category, was preparing for a strong challenge from Guyanese Stephen ‘Valentino Rossi’ Vieira.
However, Vieira, who was outstanding at Dover Park winning three races, might miss out on this occasion owing to an automobile accident he was involved in last June in Suriname.
“Stephen is an excellent rider and what he has done for Guyana for the past five years, he would have been a good competitor not only for me but also for the other Caribbean opponents from Barbados and Jamaica, but let us hope he will be fit and ready to defend his title in Barbados,” Graham said.

Other Guyanese riders who are expected to compete in Barbados are Maurice Mendez, Gregory Lopzes and Robi Persaud among others, while Barbados will have their local ‘King’ rider Arthur Cumberbatch and the versatile Brook Miller. Jamaica again can pin their hopes high on the experienced pair of Stephan Chin and Halquin Rodney. Both riders will be sporting a Suzuki 600cc.
With stiff challenge anticipated from the local boys, the experienced Graham is not too apprehensive about that. He feels his familiarity with the track and his longevity in the sport will be adequate enough for him to outclass his rivals.
“I know Barbados riders are very good and having home advantage, they will want to come hard at us, but I am ready and equipped to take up the challenge; my bike is in good shape and that is very encouraging as well,” Graham declared.
Meanwhile, Graham also told this publication that he was thinking of retiring from the sport during his participation in last year’s local meet in Guyana, but because of his profound love for it, he still wants to race competitively at the Caribbean Championships and annual race meeting hosted by the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club.
“This is my life over the past 18 to 19 years. It is something that I really love and like doing; yes, I am getting a bit old now and the youths might want the chance to showcase their skills, but I just have a passion for racing especially on the bike so I may go on for another year or two; let see what happen,” Graham related.

He has been riding and racing professionally since 1993 and he has received countless trophies for his stunning performances on the bike, while he thrilled crowds with his spectacular display and admirable skills on his Kawasaki 600cc.
“I always want to have the chequered flag lay in my hands after each race; I have done it on a number of times and it was very exciting; I have been racing in and for Guyana for a long time now and I really enjoyed the track there and the events these guys put up on an annual basis,” the Toronto resident mentioned.
Graham possesses a wealth of experience at the highest level, and said he is willing to share this knowledge to any aspiring motor-bike rider. He stated he has been a regular competitor in Guyana, and feels ‘talking’ about the sport frequently helps him personally.
Moreover, Guyana will be sending a strong contingent again in Barbados. They will have to emerge as champion in both Barbados and Guyana to retain their title, while Vieira’s chance of keeping the championship might be in jeopardy after Barbados Cumberbatch was placed second at the completion of the first leg in Jamaica.
However, according to report, the marquee rider Vieira is recuperating well in United States of America where he is currently undergoing medical treatment.