President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali on Wednesday evening signalled his intention to make Guyana the motor racing capital of the Caribbean, as he hosted the leadership of the Guyana Motor Racing & Sports Club (GMRSC) and organisers of the 2026 GT Challenge de Las Americas for a dinner at State House on Main Street, Georgetown.
The event brought together private-sector partners, diplomatic representatives, racing officials, drivers and mechanics.
President Ali described the dinner as “the beginning of something great in motor racing” and said the Government’s investment in the South Dakota Circuit was part of a broader economic strategy.
“We are spending a lot of money, and we are not spending this money without understanding the linkage to the economic spin-off it brings,” he said.
He said the Government’s goal is to reach EP3 status and eventually attract E1 races to Guyana.
He cited global figures to underline the potential of the sector, noting that sports tourism is valued at approximately US$667.2 billion, while the commercial motorsport market was worth around US$9.5 billion in 2024. He also referenced the Miami Grand Prix as generating hundreds of millions annually for its host city.
Against that backdrop, he said similar economic benefits could be achieved in Guyana.
“When there is a major motorsport event, restaurants fill up, taxi drivers smile, mechanics work overtime, food vendors do brisk business,” he said. “This is the right thing for Guyana and the people of this country.”
The 2026 GT Challenge de Las Americas, which Ali described as the Caribbean Premier League of motor racing, is scheduled for July 11–12 at the South Dakota Circuit at Timehri.
It will be the first international motor racing event held in Guyana and will feature GT3-spec machinery from Porsche, Lamborghini, McLaren, Mercedes-Benz and Audi, alongside drivers and teams from across Latin America.
GMRSC President Shairaz Roshandin said the event would offer an unprecedented experience for Guyanese, adding that demand from competitors and support teams was already driving hotel occupancy.
GT Challenge Director Eduardo Aguilar and franchise holder Franklyn Boodram were also present.
President Ali credited Boodram for trusting Guyana’s readiness when others were unconvinced.
He said that when a visiting team inspected the South Dakota Circuit, they concluded that Guyana needed two years of preparation to host an event of this scale.
He said delivering the project required teamwork, patience and, above all, belief.
“We are building a Guyana where tourism is an important pillar of economic transformation and growth.”
The event also included an auction of sporting memorabilia, including signed cricket bats and other items, to raise funds in support of the event. President Ali said the initiative reflected unity within Guyana’s sporting culture.
A total of $81 million was raised during the auction, of which $12.5 million will go towards a charitable cause.
Also present were First Lady Arya Ali, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson Jr. and other stakeholders. (DPI)
