Vieira sets new lap record
-speedster clean sweeps in two Groups
By Steve Ninvalle
Stabroek News
July 12, 2004
The man of the moment: Mark Vieira shows the checkered flag after one of his six victories at the South Dakota Circuit yesterday. Vieira and his Mazda RX7 also set a new lap record. (Photo by Lawrence Fanfair)
Racing at the South Dakota Circuit belonged solely to Mark Vieira yesterday as he not only took the checkered flag in every race he competed but also established a new Group Three lap record when the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club held its race of champions. .
In a spanking new Mazda RX7 Vieira won three races in Group Two A then steered the same vehicle to three more victories in Group Three, lapping several seasoned campaigners in the process.
The new machine worked like `grease lightning' according to one spectator, and turned in a time of 36.20 in the fourth lap of the second Group Three event to erase the old lap record of 36.21 set by the man himself.
"I'm much more serious about racing now," the champion driver said while claiming that his exploits were achieved since arch rival Andrew King was not fully prepared for the meeting.
From the opening race Vieira had no competition as many of the Group Three drivers did not attend the meeting and at times it seemed obvious that he deliberately slowed so as to create some level of excitement.
King, piloting a Mazda RX3, was forced to settle for three second places. Vishal Sawh (Toyota Starlet) proved that he improves with every meeting winning two Group Two B events and one in the Rookie category.
Other winners in Rookie category were Ryan Boodhoo (Toyota Starlet) who secured two victories and Chet Singh (Mitsubishi Evolution) who took the checkered flag once.
In the Chappy division which had its fair share of spills Mark Moniez captured two wins and Stephen Vieira one. Gavin Daideen was victorious in the handicap event. Prizes will be presented at a ceremony to be held this evening at the GMR&SC headquarters.