“What makes me love riding is the adrenaline rush” – Matthew Vieira
BY AKEEM GREENE
From the looks on the television or live at a track, motor racing by all counts seems to be a thrilling sport with riders and drivers putting their body on the line to achieve some phenomenal feats. One of those daredevils is Guyana’s Matthew Vieira, who says the trill the sport gives him is what made him fall in love with the two-wheel drive.
Speeding down the straight away and taking close corners is what the young rider lives for (Samuel Maughn photo)
“The thing that makes me love riding is the adrenaline rush, cars can’t give you it, Go-karts can’t give it; nothing can beat you flying down the straight, dropping two gears and throwing your whole body basically on the ground to turn the bike” Vieira said in speaking to Guyana Times Sport.
The talented rider is the eldest son of Mark and Sadika Vieira and the brother of two siblings and explained why he went for the two-wheel ride instead of the cars considering his father is a former Caribbean Motor Racing (CMRC) Champion.
He stated, “I was thinking about the cars first when I was younger but I jumped on a bike and fell in love, that’s my passion”.
The 19 year-old who attended School of the Nations says his inspiration for the track life comes from Italian Valentino Rossi.
“He is one of the oldest riders on the grid now, battling a lot of young guns, he changed his style a number of times and I really look to emulate him”, the Super Bike champion revealed.
The rider who grew up in Bel Air Park, Georgetown, and moved to Rahaman’s Park where he lives presently with his relatives said that he has not fully committed to a profession in the sport.
Vieira disclosed, “I might go and take a shot at it somewhere in the United States later but it is just a hobby right now, just doing it for fun I don’t really think of it as career right now but probably if I go and continue to do well I might.”
Life in CMRC
The teenage riding sensation currently is have a phenomenal season in the Caribbean Championships, where by an unofficially count he is in pole position to be crowned champion, should his stupendous performances continue come November 13 at the South Dakota Circuit.
However, last year he participated in the Super Bike category where he was deemed the champion rider but talented young man says life in the Super Stock division is very competitive.
“I’m Guyana’s super bike champion from last year but now this super stock category we are with in the Caribbean is more competitive; obviously my cousins Stephen and Elliot are my main competition but they had some top guys from the other countries, so it’s been a rough year,” he explained.
Prior to the Barbados leg of the championship his cousin Stephen was leading the points table and Matthew expects the battle to the finish to be tough.
He said, “I think Stephen will definitely give me a run but basically what I have to do is think about the championship and don’t do anything risky.”
Quizzed as to a constraint of local riders, the young Vieira immediately responded saying, sponsorship is tough but is grateful for the support of Rio Inn, Cyril’s Taxi, H.A.B International, E-Networks, Truck Masters, Game Express and Fast Graphics. ([email protected])
