Since the extended South Dakota Circuit has opened for testing, lap times have gradually gotten faster as it continues to cure and more cars and bikes ‘lay rubber’ on the track ahead of the mega International Race meet on November 13.
Checks by News Room Sport revealed that the radicals, which were clocking in the vicinity of one minute, 20 seconds (01:20s), have dropped to around 01:17 seconds after a week and a half of testing.
It is understood, Mark Vieira managed to put down 01:14 seconds in his SR3 Radical as official practice commenced Sunday.
The expectation is that with more usage and drivers becoming familiar with the new layout, those times will gradually get faster.
Generally, lap times would be in the mid-30 seconds at the shorter circuit but the expansion is providing for longer and more skilled racing.
The Radical Caribbean Championship will be the center stage of the race this weekend as Guyana’s Kristian Jeffrey will look for a perfect weekend to wipe out the 15-point lead of Trinidadian Kristian Boodoosingh, and win the title on home turf.
Jeffrey and Mark Vieira will lead Guyana’s charge in the radicals and there is a possibility, Kristian’s cousin, Group Three driver, Stefan Jeffrey, could pilot his second radical.
It would mean for the first time after three rounds in the championship, it will not be a solo effort of Kristian representing Team Guyana.
The men of speed in Group Four, Mark, Andrew King and the return of Kevin Jeffrey and his beloved ‘Bush Cow’ are expected to take to the start line.
Matthew Vieira is promising a show of speed in the Superstock category and Kevin Persaud has also been seen hard at practice.
The expanded South Dakota which is now 1.6 miles, was funded through a strategic partnership with the government.
The ultimate intention is that the upgrades will help to make Guyana the mecca for motorsport in the Caribbean. This expansion will be completed after just four months of intense work.
The immediate aim of the club is to have an FIA Grade 3 course and with further investments, an FIA Grade 2, which would make it the premier racing facility in the Caribbean.
The next phase will entail the installation of further safety apparatus and more secure fences, while phase three will be the construction of stands and other amenities.
