In a significant shift within the leadership of Guyanese motorsport, Mohamad Shairaz Roshandin has been elected President of the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC). The election took place during the Annual General Meeting on Saturday evening, where Roshandin, the former Vice-President, achieved a decisive victory over incumbent Mahendra ‘Raj’ Boodhoo with a vote tally of 123 to 61.
Other key members elected to the new executive team include Alain Hopkinson as Vice President, Azim Jafar as Secretary, Azaad Hassan as Treasurer, Ritesh Singh as Assistant Secretary/Treasurer, Rameez Mohamed as Club Captain, and Stefan Jeffrey as Technical Advisor. Additional committee members comprise Elan Rahaman, Shemroy Ramsingh, Ashley Persaud, and Krishna Ramseywack.
The election result marks a notable change in the political landscape of the paddock, with an unprecedented turnout of members making their voices heard to influence the club’s future.
Roshandin’s election comes at a pivotal moment for the South Dakota Circuit, tasked with overseeing a “seismic shift” in the region’s racing profile with the upcoming GT Challenge de las Americas scheduled for July 11-12. This event is expected to be historic, as it will feature an FIA-sanctioned international series for the first time since the Caribbean Motor Racing Championship (CMRC) concluded.
The GT Challenge will showcase high-performance GT3 vehicles typically seen on prestigious circuits such as Silverstone or Spa-Francorchamps. Fans can look forward to a lineup brimming with iconic manufacturers, including Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren, Aston Martin, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi.
Running on a platform of “inclusion and unity,” Roshandin has expressed his commitment to a cooperative leadership style, reaching out to those who opposed him during the election process. “The goal is to show the best of Guyana,” he stated, emphasizing that upgrades to the track will be a top priority on his technical agenda.
Ensuring that the South Dakota Circuit meets the stringent requirements for such a high-caliber international event will be a significant challenge for the new executive team.
To promote administrative stability during this period of growth, a motion put forward by Jad Rahaman was adopted, extending the executive’s term from one year to two years. This extension will provide the leadership with a longer tenure to implement their vision while still upholding the tradition of annual meetings to ensure financial transparency.
Harryram Parmesar served as the Returning Officer for the elections, overseeing the smooth conduct of the voting process.
