ENDURO RACING IN GUYANA

Caption Drivers run to their cars in a lemans start of the first 3 hours Enduro in 2004.

On Sunday 11th June at about midday, the flag will fall at the South Dakota Circuit and send drivers sprinting across the track to their cars to start a 2-hour Enduro for Motor Cars. This is really interesting because the last time the “Lemans start” was used at the Lemans 24 hour classic was 1969 – amazingly it continues in Guyana today.

Enduro Racing for Cars, and even Motorcycles, was big in the early 1970’s (see historic story on Enduro racing) and was re-started by GMR&SC in 2004 to enthusiastic participation by Club Members.

Since the restart of Enduro racing 2 events have been held, A 3-hour race on 23rd May 23rd, 2004. There were 16 starters but only 3 finishers. The Morgan brothers did 112 laps of the large circuit (218.4 miles) to win in their Subaru Impreza. Kamal Seebarran & Selwyn Persad (President of T&T Automobile Sports Association ) were second in their Starlet Glanza completing 103 laps (200.8 miles) and brothers Chet & Richard Singh third in a Mitsubishi Evolution 2 completing 96 laps (187.2 miles). Even though they failed to finish, they had completed more laps than the third car to finish – the Suzuki Swift of Errol Tenpow & Jimmy Tenpow with 94 laps (183.3 miles). It was an incident – filled race with a high drop-out rate. Errol Tenpow went off at the high speed bend (no brakes!!) and hit a tree – repairs were done and he finished the race.

On 10th October, 2004 the Second 3 hour Enduro was won by the Morgan brothers again in the Subaru (over 1600cc), Vishal Sawh & Haimwant Ramdehol won the under 1600cc class. Second was Errol & Jimmy Tenpow and third was Aaron Bethune & Navin Narine in the under 1600cc class. The event was planned for 4 hours but reduced to 3 by driver – protest. 10 Cars started with 2 Drivers in each car – each given a minimum of 20 minutes and a maximum of 40 minutes at the wheel.

This Sunday 11th race is down to 2 hours and 2 Drivers per Car. Each driver will have a 30 minutes stint at the wheel, then he must pit and hand over to his co-driver. Drivers will be assessed on Saturday and given a temporary license for the Enduro.

CLASSES: up to 1600cc Sports & Saloons, 1601 – 2000 Sports & Saloons, Super sports.
Overall winner will be decided by a computer calculated handicap system.