The growing Motorsports industry in Nigeria got a boost over the weekend when Nigeria’s international Kart racer, Phillip Gana announced his readiness to feature and also sponsor drivers at X-Kart Series in Ogun State to be hosted at the Work and Play Arena on Sagamu-Abeokuta Express Way.
President of the Work and Play group, Ade Ojuoko, announced the celebrated racer’s inclusion when fleshing out plans for the earlier announced X-Kart Series later in February.
“I guess it is a good thing that the Motorsports community is generating traction to have attracted the interest of Phillip Gana. As one of the front runners in the promotion of the sports, we believe this will further our developmental plans in several ways,” Ojuoko said.
Work and Play has partnered with Metallic Horses to host an inaugural event at the purpose-built race track along Shagamu Express road on December 16, 2023, which paved the way for the series lined up for February and March of 2024.
Ojuoko also informed that Phillip has hinted that his team will be drawn from made up of teenage drivers between the ages of 14 to 19.
“The X-Kart series is essentially a youth-driven sport and Gana will be featuring a largely teenage team and that also leaves the other competitors in the coming series challenged.”
He confirmed that the off-road series that will also have its Ondo version in March is being checked on all sides for safety.
“From our gears to the building of the karts, safety is our first consideration. There are also other safety protocols, that include the Federal Road Safety Commission’s checks on the facilities and all Karts, and the inclusion of first aid officials at all event venues.”
He maintained that the X-Kart Series will deepen interest in the sport and further corporate support as well. He also mentioned that, more information on how different X-Kart groups can register for the event would be rmade public soonest.
The event, has been endorsed by the Racing Autos Development association (RADA), the umbrella body for Motorsports racing in Nigeria.