Motor racing is part of me

–Superbike rider Kevin Persaud

Twenty-four-year-old Kevin Persaud is one of the most dynamic bikers in the Super Stock category of racers in Guyana. He undoubtedly loves the sport in which he has been evolved over the years, especially since it is one that brings more competition to the starting line.
At the last “Clash of the Champions” racing event held at the South Dakota Circuit, he placed fifth in both races in which he competed, coming in behind Team Mohamed’s trio and Guyanese champion rider Matthew Vieira. Despite not taking any podium spot, the father of one was thrilled to be competing with some of the best, and has declared it is an experience he welcomes.

Kevin Persaud was born to Ambika and Narendra Persaud as the second of two children, and he is their only son. He attended Queen’s College, where he completed his secondary education before continuing his studies at a private tertiary institution. His hobbies include motor racing, going for long rides, and playing football; and he describes himself as funny, caring, kind, and simple.
Kevin’s role models while growing up are Stephen Vieira, Carlos Rodrigues and Valentino Rossi. Looking at them race has encouraged and motivated him to become involved in motor sport. His father, a motorcycle mechanic, has also been a contributory factor to his getting involved in the most exciting sport discipline at the age of 14. Kevin regards motor racing as part of his life.
He entered the sport by joining the B-class category, and gradually moving to the Super Bike category, and throughout that time, he was impressive with the bikes. He has won himself two Caribbean Motor Racing Championships, and held the title of Guyana Superbike Champion twice. His most memorable experience is when he won his first CMRC in November 2014. He vividly remembers that day: when he was a young racer among the big boys, but was able to cross the finish line to cop the championship.

“Winning a race is an incredible feeling, not just for me, but for the entire team. It’s a moment of shared triumph, and our reactions are a mix of exhilaration, relief, and pure joy. The bond between my team and me is incredibly strong, and when we achieve a victory, it’s the result of months of hard work, dedication, and coordination. We celebrate together with high-fives, hugs and jokes, acknowledging that it’s a collective effort that got us to the finish line. It’s a moment of shared pride, and the realization that all the sacrifices and efforts have paid off. The win is not just mine; it belongs to every member of the team who played a role in our success,” Kevin detailed.
This young and talented rider actually represented Guyana overseas in 2015, 2016 and 2017, and without a doubt, the experience garnered would be cherished for the rest of his life.
Apart from being competitive, representing Guyana was obviously fun, exciting, and moreso an opportunity to meet new riders from various countries, which also afforded him the opportunity to build his network.

Motor racing is evolving quite rapidly, and Kevin intends to master his game and be one of the prolific riders in the future, as well as being a mentor and trainer for young motor racing enthusiasts who may want to join the fraternity.

He says that motor racing has developed immensely after the COVID-19 pandemic, but he still believes there needs to be more marketing strategies being employed to promote the various events, both locally and internationally. He hopes the races can one day be televised live for the thousands of fans who are excited about the sport but for some reason cannot visit the South Dakota Circuit. More importantly, he is optimistic that the GMR&SC can secure more sponsorships, which would build the sport tremendously. Further, he is impressed with the work done on the new layout of the South Dakota Circuit, because it gives the riders more space and time to really showcase their full potential.
Having been in the sport for more than 10 years, he regards Matthew Vieira as his biggest competitor. Matthew currently holds the CMRC record for the Superbike category. He and Matthew are competitors on the track, but they see themselves as friends.
Now a family man, Kevin Persaud has to balance the responsibilities of work, racing, and spending time with his family. In some cases, he would sacrifice some family Sundays to train, and after work during the week, he would sometimes spend quite some time to fix his bike.
When asked who is his inspiration, he responded, “I have to say that, to a great extent, I am my own inspiration. The drive to improve, the passion for racing, and the constant pursuit of excellence come from within me. It’s the desire to continually push my boundaries and be the best rider I can be that fuels my motivation. Of course, I respect and learn from the accomplishments of other riders, and I appreciate the support of my team, but ultimately, the determination to succeed comes from self-belief and self-motivation.
“I find that being your own inspiration can be a powerful force in achieving your goals in this sport,” he disclosed.
Secondly, he noted that his daughter Kaitlynn is a significant source of inspiration for him. Knowing that she looks up to him and sees me as a role model motivates him to be the best version of himself, both on and off the track.
“I want to set an example for her: showing that with hard work, perseverance, and a passionate pursuit of one’s dreams, you can achieve anything you set your mind to.”
As a young visionary in the sport, he advises the young ones pursuing a career in Superbike racing that it can be incredibly rewarding, but it requires dedication, hard work, and a strong passion for the sport.
On a lighter note, Kevin’s favorite colours are fluorescent yellow and blue, and he loves to eat pasta. One of the most thrilling movies he has watched is “Fast 5”.