By Marlon Munroe
After almost a year away from the track, race car driver Mark Vieira has signalled his intentions to return for the Guyana Motor Racing & Sports Club’s (GMR&SC) Guyana Race of Champions meet scheduled for March 28 at the South Dakota Circuit, Timehri.
When Stabroek Sport caught up with Vieira yesterday he said that he was “hungry” after his hibernation and “all competitors should bring all that they have.”
He also urged them not to leave anything at home since Team Vieira has been leaving no stone unturned for this race meet.
A source in the camp said that they have been planning for this event since last December, noting that when many were resting Team Vieira was working and doing its research to make its car faster and more powerful. Further, it was noted that Vieira’s major sponsors Digicel and Shell V-Power have been by the team’s side and in return the team will perform like it knows on race day.
When Stabroek Sport spoke to Digicel’s Public Relations Officer Shonette Moore yesterday she said that the mobile communications giant was pleased to be associated with Vieira and his team. Moore also said that full support is behind the team and the company hopes that he wins all of his races.
From a technical standpoint, Stabroek Sport learnt that Vieira’s car engine was upgraded to 20B Rotary after the Mazda previously used a 13B Rotary engine. It was explained that the 20B Rotary has three rotors, unlike two in the 13B, and it can perform the same way in the same manner as one of the 4-wheel drive cars.
A rotary engine uses the same four engine cycles, intake, compression, expansion and exhaust, as a piston-engined car. But instead of using pistons which move up and down, a rotary engine features two or three rotors which spin around inside a chamber. There are no camshafts, no lifters, no pushrods, no rockers, no valves and no springs.
The rotary engine is known for its smoothness because the rotors continually spin around in the same direction, unlike pistons which have a frantic stop/start/stop/start activity. The smoothness allows rotary engines to rev much higher and ported versions can be revved to around 8000rpm.
Stabroek Sport also understands that the engine was bought in the United States but the cost was not disclosed. The camp indicated though that it was quite costly and the team is optimistic that it will beat reigning champion in the Group 4 event Andrew King. According to the reports coming out of the camp the 13B engine was not powerful enough to accommodate the weight of the car but this current engine will suffice.
When Stabroek Sport tried to get in contact with King his cell phone rang out on several attempts.
Meanwhile, another Group 4 driver Gavin Guyadin said at his Coldingen garage that he is hoping that all goes well on race day but currently plans are shaping quite well. When this publication visited the garage yesterday mechanic Narendra Babulall was installing a brand new Formula Atlantic Turbo-charged 4A-GE 4 Cylinder 1600cc engine.
Guyandin’s previous engine was designed locally and he is hoping to test drive the new engine on Sunday. The car had Differential Winter’s performance for quicker gear change installed for his machine. He said that the Guyadin Team is looking to get the best out of these gadgets which have been costly to procure.
