{"id":29854,"date":"2026-05-14T16:20:29","date_gmt":"2026-05-14T20:20:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ncnguyana.com\/2023\/?p=29854"},"modified":"2026-05-14T16:20:29","modified_gmt":"2026-05-14T20:20:29","slug":"president-ali-says-guyana-could-become-caribbean-motorsport-capital","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ncnguyana.com\/2023\/president-ali-says-guyana-could-become-caribbean-motorsport-capital\/","title":{"rendered":"President Ali says Guyana could become Caribbean Motorsport Capital"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div>\n\n

-as Guyana Grand Prix launched <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Guyana has taken a major step toward becoming the Caribbean\u2019s premier motorsport destination with the official launch of the first-ever GT Challenge Las Am\u00e9ricas Guyana Grand Prix. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali said the event will deliver significant economic benefits while placing the country firmly on the international sporting map.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Set for July 11 and 12 at the upgraded South Dakota Circuit, the event will mark the first time the prestigious GT Challenge Las Am\u00e9ricas series is being staged in the Caribbean, bringing some of the world\u2019s most elite racing machines and drivers to Guyana.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The launch ceremony was held on Wednesday evening, with First Lady Arya Ali and President of the Dominican Republic, Luis Abinader among the officials in attendance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

President Ali said the event has tremendous potential to advance sport tourism in Guyana, and showcase the country on the international stage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He emphasised that the government\u2019s investment in the South Dakota Circuit at Timehri is part of a broader strategy to position sport tourism as a major pillar of national development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is not only about racing. This is about economics,\u201d<\/em><\/strong> the President declared. \u201cWe are spending a lot of money at South Dakota, and we\u2019re not spending this money without understanding the linkage to the economic spinoff that it will bring.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said Guyana\u2019s ambition extends far beyond hosting a single event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOur ultimate goal is to continue this GT Series here as a home venue and then move towards E1 races. That is where we want to head,\u201d <\/em><\/strong>President Ali said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He asserted that the administration is committed to making the necessary investments to position Guyana as the motorsport capital of the Caribbean. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The President noted that even before race weekend, the event is already generating substantial economic activity, with hotel bookings rapidly increasing due to the influx of competitors and support teams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI want us to think of it not merely as a sport, not merely as entertainment, but as a potential, powerful economic sector,\u201d<\/strong><\/em> he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drawing on international data, he pointed out that global sports tourism is now valued at approximately US$672 billion annually, while the commercial motorsports market is projected to exceed US$20 billion by 2034.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe same economic principles apply right here in Guyana,\u201d he asserted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The launch also highlighted the remarkable transformation of the South Dakota Circuit, which officials say has been upgraded to meet international standards in record time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

President Ali praised the dedication of the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club for helping to fast-track the venue\u2019s development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen they first came and saw the South Dakota circuit, they said we needed two to three years of work. When they returned six months later, they were blown away,\u201d <\/em><\/strong>he said. \u201cWe got that done because of hard work.\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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