By Akeem Greene
In a transformative move for the local sporting landscape, President Dr Irfaan Ali has officially launched the Guyana Grand Prix, signalling a definitive shift in how the nation views high-octane competition.
During the official launch of the third leg of the GT Challenge de las Américas on Wednesday evening at State House, the Head of State positioned motorsport as a cornerstone of Guyana’s burgeoning tourism and economic strategy.
Accompanied by First Lady Arya Ali and President Luis Abinader of the Dominican Republic, President Ali emphasised that the arrival of elite racers and world-renowned brands such as Ferrari, Lamborghini, and McLaren in July is part of a broader blueprint for national prosperity.
“This is the beginning of something great in motor racing, and this is not only about racing, but this is also about economics; we are building out the infrastructure, the hotels and sport tourism is an important part of what we are building for,” the President declared.
He noted that the event, set for July 11–12, is a centrepiece of a holistic vision designed to align private-sector investment with public-sector initiatives.
By treating motorsport as a legitimate industry rather than a hobby, the government expects the venture to attract massive economic injection into the country, benefiting a wide cross-section of Guyanese service providers.
The Head of State was adamant that the public must re-evaluate the sport’s value to the national identity. “I want us to think about motor racing differently; I want us to think about motor racing not merely as a sport, not merely as entertainment, not merely as a thrilling sport, but as a potential powerful economic sector, as an industry,” he said.
He further explained that the current wave of upgrades is a grand national partnership, stating firmly that “this is not about supporting the racers or motor racing, this is about supporting a national product that is going to have tremendous economic value.”
Part of this long-term ambition is elevating the South Dakota Circuit to FIA Level III accreditation, with the goal of eventually hosting Formula E—the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship—the pinnacle of open-wheel racing for electric vehicles.
This trajectory aligns with the People’s Progressive Party/Civic manifesto plans to expand the local economy through sport tourism, which remains one of the fastest-growing sectors globally.
President Ali expressed his desire for Guyana to become the “undisputed motor racing capital” of the Caribbean, promising that the current momentum “won’t stop here,” with further investments already underway.
The impact of the Guyana Grand Prix is expected to be felt immediately, with thousands of international visitors projected to descend on the country.
Teams are scheduled to arrive approximately ten days before race day, fueling demand for accommodation and hospitality.
This regional confidence is shared by Caribbean Franchise holder Franklyn Boodram, a Trinidadian native who has partnered with the Guyana Motor Racing & Sports Club (GMR&SC) to host the GT3 series for the next three years.
Boodram noted that President Ali’s strong leadership and passion for youth development, combined with Guyana’s current economic capacity to handle such high-level investment, were the primary factors behind his decision to partner with Guyana.
GMR&SC President Mohamad Shairaz Roshandin highlighted the historical significance of the event, noting that Guyana is the first English-speaking nation to host the GT Challenge de las Américas.
Roshandin stated that his executive is taking bold steps to lead the charge in developing a tourism product that puts Guyana on the world map.
To facilitate this, the club has been working overtime to upgrade the circuit to meet rigorous safety requirements and install necessary pit lanes for a grid expected to feature over 20 GT3 cars.
Leading the local charge on that grid will be two-time Caribbean motor racing champion Kristian Jeffrey, backed by Torginol, alongside the seasoned veteran Mark Vieira.
The organising body of the GT Challenge de las Américas, represented by Silvia Bermúdez, echoed this optimism.
Now in its sixth year, the series has grown into one of the premier racing spectacles, having successfully held legs in Panama, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Dominican Republic and Mexico.
Bermúdez expressed satisfaction with the progress of the track works in Guyana and committed to delivering a world-class show for the Guyanese public
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