Tarick Baijnauth – youngest driver in Group 3 ready to conquer his rivals

…says levelling playing field presents opportunity to make use of full potential

Seventeen-year-old Tarick Baijnauth is undoubtedly the youngest driver in the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) Group 3 category, but is leaving his mark among the well-seasoned drivers.
This talented young racer started off his motor racing career by competing in the go-cart category and then participated in the endurance race in 2022 after which he made his debut in circuit racing in 2023.
After that, he competed in two races in the Rookie Class and secured podium spots – one first and one second. That year, his best lap time was 1:27 seconds.
Now, as the motor racing fraternity prepares to host its first track meet in a week’s time, Baijnauth, who will be driving his Honda Civic numbered ‘32’, is also ready to make his second appearance in the Group 3 category with a mission to make heads turn. His fastest lap time in this category is 1:24:04 seconds.
For this year, his team have made some changes to his machine hence he is expediting a much more productive and competitive run. “In addition, I have improved more on my driving skills, and with a new platform, hopefully we can have an awesome day of racing come April 27,” the home-taught young man told Guyana Times Sport during an interview.

He added that to optimise his game and ensure he stays competitive, he regularly sits alongside his father, Malcolm to strategise his plans and routines.
His father, he noted, has played a huge part in his racing career from a young age. In fact, he developed his love for the sport while attending a circuit race with his parents who are both motor-racing fanatics.
His father is his sole sponsor and is the one who pushes him to the limit. “He takes care of everything when it comes to my racing, attitude and competitiveness.”
The young man, who wants to become a building contractor as life-long professional career, reiterated that transitioning into cars from go-carts was a smooth process and sees ace driver Mark Vieira as his role model, describing him as a great driver and a well-respected competitor.
The young driver stated that one of his biggest challenges is sourcing specialty parts for the car. “That is one of our biggest problems which leaves us no choice, but to import and that sometimes is time-consuming, because we have to wait on the parts…” he explained.

Nevertheless, the racing fraternity, he noted, presents a level playing field where each racer has the same opportunity but more so, no matter their experience and age, each driver is treated with respect which makes it even more competitive.
“Some of the racers in my category are Stefon Jeffrey, Danny Persaud, Anand Ramchand and others… they have the world of experience, but I would listen to them, take advice and even take one and two tips to better my driving skills… at the end of the day, we look out for each other.”
These guys, he continued, are seasoned campaigners, and have already made a name for themselves in the motor-racing arena by winning multiple championships. “Their successes come from hard work, determination, love for the sport and most of all, their attitude towards motor racing is spot on… and that is the type of attitude I want to have and emulate… I want to be the best I can be.”
Baijnauth, however, intends to spend a few years in the Group 3 category and then transition into Group 4 where he will be competing with the bigger boys such as his role model, Vishok Persaud, Rameez Mohamed, and others.
When asked about experiencing anxiety before and during big competitions, he responded, “I really don’t have any. I just try to be in the zone. Blank out all the static, and focus on the race.”

On the matter of revolutionising the sport, he thinks that it was a great idea to allow women to compete because it shows equality and the competitive nature of women in motorsport, both locally and internationally.
On this note, he stated that anyone who wants to compete in motorsport can do so and so safely without any form of discrimination and commended the GMR&SC for opening the registration to show that it is a sport where no matter your gender or age, everyone gets equal treatment.
He added that while motorsport was evolving here in Guyana and around the world, the club has a great vision to elevate the sport in the future and he was one of the drivers who were looking forward for better things to come.
The young contractor, who also spends a lot of time travelling in and out of the country, intends to start up the go-kart track at the club headquarters in Thomas Lands, Georgetown which allows young drivers to transition into circuit racing.
As such, he encouraged them to get registered, “Start having seat time in your car or motorcycle and most importantly, keep the racing for the circuit. Don’t give up on your dreams and always push yourself to your full potential… take the advice from your seniors and once you have the right attitude, you will do well.”
Come race day, he is cognisant that there will be stiff competition since every car is running at their full capacity and more so, the drivers are training very hard to perform at their best.
To his fellow racers, he wished them the very best and called on the motor racing fans to come out and support the event – one that will be memorable. “Also, be safe on the roadway and leave the racing to us on the tracks.”
For young Baijnauth, having a girlfriend is not on his bucket wish at this time, but rather he intends to focus on work and his racing career. “That will come in due time, but for now it’s work, more work; race and more race…”