X-Kart series welcome new team ahead of season’s fourth race

The fourth leg of the first season of the X-Kart Race Series in Nigeria will commence on August 3. 

According to the organisers, the contest will be held at the Work and Play Arena in Ogun, and Team Larry has been added to the list of participants.

Larry Bakare, captain of Team Larry, assured that joining the fray at the fourth race will not impede his group’s chances.

“I believe we have more chances as our racers are fresh and benefit from incorporating the weaknesses of all the other teams into their gameplan. We are better prepared,” he said.

Adeoye Ojuoko, President of Work and Play, one of the two promoters of the X-Kart series, said that the momentum being generated and the growth of the motorsports community occasioned by the X-Kart series is unprecedented.

“We started this project out of pure passion and to encourage Nigerian youths to express their passion for motorsports, especially aligning with international best practices under the laid down rules of the FIA and other regulators,” Ojuoko said.

“Despite the learning opportunities that accompanied this first season, tremendous traction has been generated. The acceptance has exceeded our expectations, and our partners, Metallic Horses, have sent commendations to us.”

Ojuoko said there are fresh enquiries from prospective entrants, despite having gone mid-season already, while sponsors have appreciated the organisers’ professionalism.

Despite defaulting in the last instalment of the series, Team X is still in the pole position with 40 points from two clear victories in races 1 and 2.

Team Work and Play, which failed to move ahead of Team X on the ranking table in the third race, will now hope for a redemptive performance.

Team Harmony, the surprise entrant at race three, finished fourth (out of 11 teams) after its maiden win. Other teams aiming to take their chances are GN128, Metallic Crushers, Naija Gear Heads (A and B), Elizade, OYSBA, TOSETT, and FAME.

So far, each race has been a 35-to-45-lap event held between the purpose-built racing tracks: the Work and Play Race Arena on Abeokuta-Shagamu expressway and the Smokin’ Hills Golf Resort Racing tracks in Ilara Mokin, Ondo state.

Organisers said the latest edition would be the biggest to be hosted due to the increased interest and presence of the new teams and their supporters.