Eric Vieira hailed as an icon of Motor racing in Guyana

It was a solemn mood on Sunday afternoon at the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC), as the members reflected on the life of one of the founding members, Eric Vieira.
Vieira, who passed away in London last week, was a former President of the club, was instrumental in the sport reaching the heights it presently holds today.

Speaking at the appreciation ceremony, Kit Nacimento, coined Vieira as “Mr. Motor Racing” since  “It was his version, his dedication that has given the sport it’s prominence today”.
Taking those in attendance down memory lane, Nasicmento explained that, “It began in the 1950s with a band of daredevils racing on #63 Beach with Vieira using  a Triumph motor bike”.
Vieira, who is renowned for his driving in his “Beast”,  played a big role in  the club getting the support of United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to  pave the South Dakota Circuit in the 1970s.
Similarly, Stanley Ming, a   former Caribbean Motor Racing Champion said that “Vieira was man that died but died with the most toys”. Ming made the statement due to the fact that the top race driver  had a large appetite for collecting motor cars and Go-karts.
Ming, who joined forces with Vieira in establishing ‘Technical Services and Supplies Limited’ which then introduced Yamaha outboard motors and Holder tractors to the Guyana market, explained how the two along with other members used their funds to rehabilitate the various structures at the circuit.
Long standing club member Pat Holder spoke of the  days of watching Vieira race on the beach and the  various daredevil-like  stunts he  would try to conduct.
The event ended with a minute of silence followed by some members doing a lap of honour on the Go-Kart track.