Govt to preserve South Dakota solely for motor racing – Ramson

– says Govt invested over $150M in the sport for the past 5 years

– 10 veterans honoured for their contribution to motor sport

Culture, Youth, and Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr. announced that the Government of Guyana (GOG) will preserve the South Dakota Circuit – Guyana’s premier motor racing track for the purpose it was intended.

The minister was at the time addressing motor racing fans and motor racing elites as the Guyana Motor Racing and Sport Club (GM&SC) celebrates its 70th year in existence and the launch of the Caribbean Clash of Champions, slated for November 2, 2025.

“You are not going to be able to go to an international motor racing facility like Silverstone and think you can just go and drive a truck on the track. You cannot go and enter the facility without having the right vehicles, using it for the right purpose, and ensuring that safety is a priority when it’s being used. So, the government is making the decision now that we will move in the direction of having the facility preserved for the purpose that it was intended to be used for,” Ramson told those gathered at the Pegasus Suites and Corporate Centre in Kingston, Georgetown, on Friday evening.

He added that the event promotes sports tourism, and over the years, thousands from around the Caribbean and further afield assemble at the South Dakota Circuit for the final leg of the Caribbean Clash of Champions while noting that preserving the venue for its intended purpose will see more motor racing fanatics coming to Guyana to experience the action.
“We want more people to come to our country to experience what we have here, our people and culture, and we want them to know that we are one of the greatest people in the world… and one of the greatest opportunities for us to sell our country is through these international events.”

He added that the Caribbean Clash of Champions, hosted yearly, has formed part of Guyana’s marquee events that the government has been promoting as part of its calendar of events.
“This means that we will be making consistent investments in this event and all of the other important events as we move forward. Guyana has taken a different turn now. What you can be assured of, just as you have expressed your support for us, not just in words but by deeds, is that you will have the unflinching support of President Irfan Ali and the People’s Progressive Party Government moving forward for the next five years and the many years after that.”
Meanwhile, he congratulated the motor racing body on its 70th anniversary while noting that the government has invested in excess of $150 million in the last five years in developing the facility into a world-class arena.
“The country is in a different place now, but even though we are in a different place, it’s extremely important that the future we navigate for ourselves, all of us, whether it’s for motor racing or for every sector that we chart, be very deliberate about the kind of future we want to build and leave behind as our legacy because just as much as we are honoring the persons who came before us to build this sport that we love so much and the country loves so much, there will also come a time when other people will honor you for the work that you’ve put into developing this sport, ” Ramson told the gathering.
On this note, in observance of its 70th anniversary, several persons were honored for their immense contributions to the sport over the years.
These include Eric Vieira, Stanley Ming, Christopher ‘Kit’ Nascimento, Ray Rahaman, Jad Rahaman, Bill Blair, Joseph King, Alex Phillips, Johnny Tyrell, and John Thijs.
The plaques bore the words, “In recognition of outstanding contribution, dedication, and achievement in advancing the sport of motor racing in Guyana. Your passion, perseverance, and excellence have left a lasting legacy that will continue to inspire generations to come.”