Ondo State Acting Governor Honourable Lucky Aiyedatiwa said that motorsports has become an inevitable ingredient in the state’s youth engagement plan.
He made the statement while flagging off the 6th Ondo Auto Rally at the off-road racing tracks of Smoking Hills Golf Course in Ilara Mokin last Saturday.
“It is gladdening to see what the Motorsports community has done in the state through this event. I commend everyone those that has been dedicated to making this event what it is over the years,” he said.
The event which was supported by Toyota Nigeria Limited, SMT, Airtel Nigeria, JAC Motors, and DINKKIIA, pulled over 2000 racers, Motorsports enthusiasts and sports fans to Ondo state, during the Easter weekend.
Different motorsports communities and bikers from Kwara State, Lagos, Oyo, Abuja, Nasarawa, Kebbi, Kano, Benin, and Enugu states, were represented at the event.
Adeoye Ojuoko, the President of ‘Work and Play’ Nigeria’s frontline promoter of Motorsports said this year’s event has been the best in the series.
“Unlike the past, this year’s event pulled the biggest crowd, and the ever ran its full course on the improved and extended race tracks,” he said. “While we will continue to seek ways to raise the bar every year, we are glad to see the smooth running of this year’s edition.”
Estonian-born Argo Raak won the drag race at the event and extended his record win to fourth following previous wins in 2018, 2019 and 2021. Lateef finished in second place behind Raak.
Abuja-based Captain Awwal led the drifting challenge with an amazing craft off his enhanced BMW where he pocketed N300,000 for his efforts.
Ojuoko said that the employment and the commerce generated by the host community has been his major takeaway.
Ondo Auto Rally maiden edition was staged in 2017 and has since grown to become one of the leading Motosports event in the country.