Mohamad Shairaz Roshandin secures landslide victory to lead GMR&SC

In what can only be described as a landslide “overtake” for the leadership of Guyanese motorsport, Mohamad Shairaz Roshandin has been elected President of the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC).

At the Annual General Meeting on Saturday evening, Roshandin, the former Vice-President, secured a commanding 123-61 victory over incumbent Mahendra ‘Raj’ Boodhoo.

Other elected members were Alain Hopkinson (Vice President), Azim Jafar (Secretary), Azaad Hassan (Treasurer), Ritesh Singh (Assistant Secretary/Treasurer), Rameez Mohamed (Club Captain), Stefan Jeffrey (Technical Advisor), Elan Rahaman (Committee Member), Shemroy Ramsingh (Committee Member), Ashley Persaud (Committee Member) and Krishna Ramseywack (Committee Member).

The result marks a definitive turn in the paddock’s political climate, as members turned out in unprecedented numbers to decide the club’s future trajectory.

The change in leadership comes at a critical juncture for the South Dakota Circuit. Roshandin’s primary mandate will be overseeing a “seismic shift” in the region’s racing profile: the arrival of the GT Challenge de las Americas on July 11-12.

For the first time since the conclusion of the Caribbean Motor Racing Championship (CMRC), an FIA-sanctioned international series will touch down on Guyanese soil.

This is not merely a regional meet; it is a “full-factory spectacle” featuring the kind of high-performance GT3 machinery usually reserved for legendary circuits like Silverstone or Spa-Francorchamps.

Fans can expect a grid bristling with iconic powerhouses from Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren, Aston Martin, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi.

Roshandin, who campaigned on a platform of “inclusion and unity,” has committed to a collaborative approach to governance, reaching out even to those who sat across the aisle during the election.

“The goal is to show the best of Guyana,” Roshandin noted, emphasising that track upgrades remain at the top of his technical agenda.

Ensuring the South Dakota Circuit meets the stringent requirements for such a high-spec international grid is expected to be the new executive’s first major hurdle.

In a move to ensure administrative stability during this period of growth, a motion, presented by Jad Rahaman, was adopted to extend the executive’s term from one year to two years.

While the leadership will now have a longer tenure to execute their vision, the club will continue to hold its annual AGM for financial transparency.

Chartered Accountant Harryram Parmesar performed the duties of  Returning Officer for the Elections.