“If I’m running first, then that’s the man to beat” – Matthew Vieira

– Superbike showdown set for South Dakota on Sunday

All roads would be leading to the South Dakota Circuit at Timehri on Sunday, for the highly anticipated opening round of the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club’s (GMR&SC) Circuit Championship.

Already, the hype is set and the track is in top form for one of the most thrilling showdowns in the Superbike A Class category.

Dylan Singh, a 19-year-old emerging talent from the United States, is intent on ‘taking something away from Guyana’s ace rider Matthew Vieira’, who holds the title of Champion Rider for 2024. Vieira, however, would be intent on carrying the competition to the increasingly threatening Kevin Persaud.
Originally from New Jersey, Singh grew up racing at the renowned New Jersey Motorsports Park, where he spent his formative years developing his skills as a junior racer.

His competitive resume includes multiple appearances in CCS/ASRA events as an Expert, and most notably, a season in the MotoAmerica Junior Cup aboard a Kawasaki ZX-4, besides competing in two Supersport classes as an Expert.
He now brings his experience and determination to Guyana, riding a platform similar to his U.S. setup with his sights firmly set on capturing the A Class Championship.
But Singh will come up against the towering challenge of 28-year-old Matthew Vieira, a rider widely regarded as the best in Guyana and the Caribbean. With multiple championships to his name, Vieira has long proven his dominance in the region, combining expert racecraft with unwavering focus.

Speaking with Guyana Times Sport ahead of race day, young Matthew Vieira is cognizant of the attention the matchup commands, but remains confident in his position.
“I know for a fact that Dylan team mates have been spewing a lot about a clash on Sunday, but all I can tell them and him is to put their mouth on the track…,” he said.
“I know the target is on my back… Dylan was in Guyana in November 2023 with a lot of hype; and didn’t trouble me then, and I am confident that won’t change this time around,” the young speedster has predicted. He added that his competition right now is Kevin Persaud, who lately acquired a new machine.
In fact, Persaud told Guyana Times Sport that his 2024 Kawasaki ZXR6R is a different brand from the other bikes, but it’s the preferred race bike around the world, and not only in Guyana.
“We have about 80% progress on it thus far, but we are still going through developmental stage… I can say that our lap time is already matching November lap times,” Persaud explained.
His best lap time on the track stands at 1:18.94, while Matthew Vieira’s fastest time at the November meet was 1:17.8.
“We have been pushing…on Thursday I clocked 1:19.5 minutes, and that isn’t bad at all…while the other riders may have lower times back in November, it’s totally different out here now,” he declared.
Persaud doesn’t regard anyone as competition other than Vieira. “I am confident that I will be fighting at the front with Matthew,” he declared.
However, despite the competitive atmosphere, Singh has expressed gratitude for the opportunity to race in Guyana. “I’m just happy to be riding in Guyana on my machine…,” he declared.
“Racing requires a lot of concentration, so I’ll avoid distractions and focus on finishing first,” he added.
Vieira, on the other hand, has sent a strong message to the riders: “If I’m running first, then that’s the man to beat,” he has said while reinforcing his status as the rider to watch.
Matthew is no stranger to the motor racing fraternity. He has represented Guyana in Trinidad, Barbados and Jamaica, and is the only Guyanese rider to win races in all three foreign countries.
Presently Super Bike Class A Champion for two consecutive years, Vieira plans to defend that title this year, and make it three in a row with his Yamaha R6, fully branded by Enet with number 48.
“Come Sunday, I want to set the bar high, so moving into the other rounds will be much easier…,” he disclosed. “Some good run will set the tone for the remainder of the year…
“I also want to send a strong message to my competitors: that I intend to defend the title, and I am up for the competition.”
He is thanking his sponsors: Enet, Cyril’s Transportation Services, Vieira66 Logistics, KSM Inc. and Lucozade, for their unwavering support over the years.
With the competitors ready and determined, this showdown promises to be one of the most exhilarating battles of the championship season. The action revs off at 11:00h sharp.