‘Limited number of spectators’ for Drag Race Meet, says GMR&SC President

The Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) President, Rameez Mohamed, has pointed out that only a limited number of spectators will be allowed at the South Dakota Circuit for Round One of the club’s Drag Racing Championships on February 28.

Persons would only be allowed ticketed entry into the venue, but the exact number has not yet been finalised. The Club, as part of its control mechanism against COVID-19, is also taking the necessary steps to reduce the number of support staff competitors would bring on race day.

There are also plans to partner with a leading local company to live stream the event to those at home and on their digital devices.

“Everyone is aware that there is COVID now [and] we are still awaiting the COVID Task Force to give us the permission on how much people would be let into the arena,” Mohamed told News Room Sport on Monday.

“We have already begun different regulations with the racers and who will be allowed [entry]. Before you were allowed four or five pit crew, now it is only one at race day and they have to wear their mask at all times.”

He added, “We are setting different things to help fans keep abreast with what is going on, like live streaming the event and giving everyone all the results live as we go through the day.”

With an extended launch pad and other track improvements done by Team Mohamed’s, the GMR&SC president is confident of some record-breaking times at the first Drag Meet of 2021.

In June 2019, Team Mohamed’s white GT-R shattered the Drag Racing record at South Dakota. The explosion of speed was recorded at 8.099s on the clock in an unchallenged race.

“We did not have a chance to race on the new track or launch pad. What the launch pad does is that it puts the power down to the ground. So high-powered cars without the launch pad will just keep spinning. With the launch pad it allows these cars to have better traction, so expect to see amazing timings; I personally expect the record to be broken this race.”

The GMRS&SC head further stated, “I am going to try to convince him [Team Mohamed’s] to pull the Lamborghini down the track.”

Mohamed further indicated that Team Mohamed’s will be out with their full fleet of cars and there should be stern challengers.

“The guy that brought the late Deryck ‘Mad Dog’ Jaisingh Supra- he has spent tons of time and I know they did a lot more investment so he is pretty sure the Supra will beat Team Mohamed’s cars, and I asked him which one, he said all of them.”

Shawn Persaud and his Caldinas should also be on show.

Looking ahead, Mohamed remains optimistic that they will see the return of the Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname racers to local events once the travel restriction is lifted.

Some of the sponsors so far are Panko Steel, Stag Beer, E-Networks, B.M Soat, Mohamed’s Enterprise, KFC, Homeline Furnishing, Truck Master, Ready Mix Concrete, KGM Security, MMD Hollow Blocks and Pavers, Motor Trend Service Centre, UNICOM- United Commodities, AR Jiwanram Printery, Cyril’s Transportation Service, Windjammer International Hotel, Prem’s Electrical and Secure Innovation and Concepts.