Vieira, Persaud optimistic ahead of CELAC Championships

Champion riders Kevin Persaud and Matthew Vieira will fly the Golden Arrowhead this weekend in the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) Superbike Championships at the Guyana Grand Prix.
While the GT Challenge de las Americas will offer the in-car action, the Super Sport Bike and Super Stock Bike races are expected to add an extra layer of excitement to the track.
Days away from competition, both Persaud and Vieira are approaching their races with optimism, despite their respective challenges.
Persaud told the Guyana Times Sport, “I’m going into it with positive energy. Not a lot of seat time, but not for any of us; we didn’t have no seat time at all on the new surface, but all of us basically started at zero, so I do have an advantage.”
“I’m really excited, actually, to be a part of history. I’m very proud that our local track in Guyana here could look like this right now. It has a bit of a foreign look, and I love that for Guyana,” Vieira remarked.
Vieira later divulged to this publication, “I’m heading into this weekend at a disadvantage because I sold my current bike that I was racing here, and I brought in a totally new bike with a different engine configuration and different chassis; because of limited time, I haven’t practised as yet on the track. So, we’re going into this weekend gambling.”
A common concern for both riders is the “green” South Dakota surface which has recently been re-laid, a factor that will take some expert navigation from the duo.
“The track is a lot smoother, but because of the new asphalt on the track, you don’t really have no grip on the track, so hopefully the cars will be doing some driving and laying down some rubber on the track. So, when the motor bikes go on the track, we’ll be getting some grip,” Persaud shared.
Vieira shared similar sentiments, stating, “For this weekend, I think there’ll be a lot more of a mental challenge for me because I know the asphalt is very green with no rubber; it has no grip. So, I need to pick and choose wisely how hard I ride and probably just try to take it calm.”
However, both bikers remain unfazed and ready to face up to the star-studded international grid.
Vieira explained, “The competition is really stiff; we have some of the champions from Panama coming, we have riders from the UK coming, Dan Lindfoot, and also we have Cooper, who was a Stock British Superbike 1000 champion as well. So, it’ll be a stacked grid.”
“We have the locals as well, Kevin, Nicholas, and Allen; these guys are quick. So, let’s see what happens; can’t wait,” Vieira added.
On the other hand, Persaud noted, “I think I’m the lone Guyanese representative in that category, so it will be big for me and also for Team Guyana.”
The GT Challenge de las Americas will take over the South Dakota Circuit at Timehri this weekend. On Saturday, July 11, qualifying begins, while on Sunday, July 12, the races will take centre stage. Tickets for the qualifying day are set at $4000, while race-day tickets are going for $9000.
Patrons can pick up their tickets at Lyft Gym locations countrywide or at the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) office at Thomaslands and Albert Street.