5 Guyanese riders target podium finishes in Panama

Five Guyanese motorcycle racers will pursue podium finishes this weekend when they compete in the Autódromo Panamá Championship.
Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) Vice President Alain Hopkinson and Kevin Persaud will lead the national challenge in the Pre-Expert 600cc and 1000cc classes, while Christopher Bridgmohan, Elwin Chase, and Jerry DaSilva will compete in the Novice category.
The GMR&SC has extended best wishes to the five riders as they seek to represent the country with distinction against some of the region’s leading competitors.

Hopkinson said the team also intends to support its Panamanian counterparts while showcasing the quality of Guyanese motorcycle racing.
“We are here to support our riding brothers from Panama as well as bring back trophies for Guyana and show the talent of Guyanese riders,” Hopkinson said.
The two-day championship programme began on Saturday, August 1, with technical inspections, practice sessions, and qualifying to determine the starting positions for Sunday’s races.
The paddock opened at 07:00h, followed by technical inspections for cars and motorcycles from 07:30h to noon. A mandatory meeting for drivers and riders was scheduled for 08:00h.
Competitors were expected to participate in two official practice sessions in the Novice, Moto 3 and Moto 4, Pre-Expert 600cc and 1000cc, Expert 600cc and 1000cc, and Street Legal categories. Saturday’s on-track programme was scheduled to end at 15:05h.
Sunday’s activities will begin with the paddock opening at 07:00h, while spectators will be admitted from 08:30h. Warm-up sessions and a mandatory competitors’ meeting will be followed by a pit party from 09:40h to 10:20h.
The official opening ceremony is scheduled for 10:30h, after which the championship races will begin.
The Novice and Moto 3 and Moto 4 categories will each contest two 10-lap races. The Pre-Expert and Expert 600cc and 1000cc divisions will each feature two 12-lap races.
The Street Legal category will include three seven-lap heats, while a driving experience session will be held during the midday break from 13:00h to 13:30h.
The awards ceremony is scheduled from 16:30h to 17:00h, with the championship weekend officially ending at 17:30h.
The Guyanese riders will be hoping to strengthen the country’s growing reputation in regional motorcycle racing and return home with trophies.