Kristian Jeffrey is a man used to the limits of adhesion, but as the prestigious GT Challenge de las Américas prepares for its historic South Dakota debut, Guyana’s two-time Caribbean Motor Racing Champion and 2022 Caribbean Radical Champion, is undergoing a radical evolution of his own.
The arrival of the Latin American series marks a tectonic shift for Guyanese motorsport. For the first time, the tarmac at South Dakota will play host to a grid of McLarens, Ferraris, and Lamborghinis—machinery of a calibre Jeffrey has long campaigned for in his home region.
“This is the reality of a dream,” Jeffrey told Boost High Octane. “I’ve spent my career racing internationally, always hoping to bring this level of competition home. To see cars of this magnitude on local soil is going to be spectacular.”
The step up to the GT Challenge isn’t just about speed; it’s about a fundamental change in philosophy. Jeffrey and his team are finalising a move into the GT3 class, a transition that shifts the goalposts from sprint racing to endurance racing.
With race formats spanning 20 to 40 minutes, the emphasis has shifted from raw one-lap pace to reliability and mechanical management.
“To first win, you must first finish,” Jeffrey explained, echoing the old adage of motorsport icons. “The level of competition meant we had to find a more reliable package for the duration of these races. We aren’t abandoning our current stable, but for this series, we need a bulletproof package.”
Jeffrey is currently in “final negotiations” to select his new seat, working alongside engineering experts from England to ensure the car is competitive from the first green flag.
While the engineers focus on the car, Jeffrey is focusing on the “human component.” Endurance racing in the Caribbean heat is a brutal physical test, prompting drivers to overhaul their training regimens.
To build the cardiovascular base required for long stints, Jeffrey has joined the KFC Evolution Cycling Team, supplementing his road miles with daily strength sessions at BPM under the guidance of Tariq Dakhil and World Champion Rosanna Fung.
“Preparation is key,” Jeffrey says. “I’m hungry and ready. When you’ve already stood on the top step of international podiums, the pressure doesn’t get to you. I don’t race to make up the numbers.”
Beyond the personal hunt for silverware, Jeffrey is acutely aware of the economic and structural stakes. The multi-year deal for the series is expected to provide a significant boost to regional tourism, with an anticipated grid of 25 cars across various classes.
“It will be a historical moment for Guyanese motorsport,” he noted. “But the priority has to be sustainability. We want this series to be a fixture here for years to come. My goal is to put Guyana on the map and stay there.”
As the final details of his GT3 package are hammered out this week, one thing is certain: Kristian Jeffrey is not just preparing for a race; he is preparing for a new era. (Modified article from Boost High Octane)
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