In just a few days — on July 11 and 12 — the South Dakota Circuit comes alive with the sounds of GT3-spec machinery as the GT Challenge de las Américas makes its Guyana debut.
The GT Challenge de las Américas is a multi-country Latin American and Caribbean motorsport series, sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). It brings to Guyana a full-factory spectacle featuring GT3-spec machinery from Ferrari, McLaren, Lamborghini, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz and Audi.
While the South Dakota Circuit has long been the home of motor racing in Guyana, the arrival of this series helps drive a local ambition forward — making Guyana the motorsport capital of the Caribbean. Notably, Guyana is the first English-speaking nation to host this series.
Earlier this year, the GT Challenge organisers and the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) signed a multi-year agreement, securing Guyana's place on this annual racing calendar through at least 2030. GMR&SC Executive Member Elan Rahaman told Fueled that the country's rising profile as an oil hotspot and an attractive investment destination helped convince the organisers that Guyana is a premier destination for their event and a rising star for hosting major sporting events.
"This event is going to be one of the largest sporting events in Guyana's history, with an attendance of some 20,000 patrons, 3,000 of which will be international. This will not only generate considerable revenue for the country, but it will also give us the opportunity to showcase our dynamic culture and the hospitality of our people," Rahaman said.
Additionally, the GMR&SC will have a race-day staff utilisation of over 250 persons.
SOUTH DAKOTA UPGRADES
To accommodate the crowd — and of course, the machines — the South Dakota track underwent a major transformation into a GT3 and FIA-compliant venue.
"Tasked with this just three months ago, we have worked around the clock to deliver a comprehensive suite of upgrades: a resurfaced front straight, FIA-compliant curbs and run-off areas, 28 pit boxes complete with pit and hot lanes, debris deflection fencing, jubilee barriers, control towers, and dedicated medical facilities," Rahaman highlighted.
He added that President Dr Irfaan Ali has demonstrated a passion for the development of motorsport and sport tourism in Guyana, and the work done at the track is a tangible representation of how serious all stakeholders are in making Guyana a motor racing hub.
SHIFTING GEARS
With this freshly upgraded track, South Dakota could become the home of other major racing events.
"The GT Challenge is not a one-off spectacle; it is the flagship of a bold, long-term vision," Rahaman asserted. "Our intention is to host it annually, cementing it as a permanent fixture on the international motorsport calendar, running hand in hand with the CELAC Super Rider Championship to add another world-class dimension to our race weekends."
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