Motorsports in Nigeria

The sport

Motorsport in Nigeria

Motorsport is a type of motor racing or non-racing group of competition that involves the use of a motorized vehicle for off-road competitive racing events. Though the sport is new in Nigeria and not yet popular however the Eleko Motor race is helping to improve it and make it a thriving phenomenon in Nigeria.

Different kinds of car races are involved in event of motorsport competition but few are currently been practised in Nigeria which some of them include, but not limited to cross country, autocross, drag racing, karting, autotest and circuit racing.

On a general note, motorsport competitive event kicked off in Nigeria in the year 2014 with a competitive sporting event known as Eleko Motor Race which is an off-road motor rally.

The 2016 edition was held on 16 and 17 December 2016 at Eleko Beach in Ibeju-Lekki L.G.A, and the competitive event gathered many spectators from across the city of Lagos and Eleko community.

The event was actually a medium of showcasing the sport to Nigerian motorists and to create interest in the game. Eleko motor race features three different races viz: the main race event which was for the competing 4X4 vehicles, the tricycle race, and motorbike race with a total number of 6 racing unique stages covering 26 kilometres in all.

Presently, few associations have been formed in Nigeria to manage motor sporting activities in the country. This is to showcase the benefits of motorsport race track and to develop skills for drivers and navigators of all-terrain vehicles in the art of the sport.

Benefits of motorsports

Motorsport is a game of interest which involves danger and money; it is quite entertaining, it is as well a kind of business and a sport. Motorsport is a big-time sport to club level participants, an entertainment to people that watch and a business to the automobile company.

Motorsport promotes sportsmanship, therefore, clubs or team benefits from the sports competitive events through the award-winning prices that are associated with it.

To individuals, it is beneficial in the sense that it provides recreation and relaxation facilities which in general term are known as entertainment.

Most importantly, the automobile industry captures the reason to improve their business starting from the manufacturing of all-terrain vehicles used for the sport and their spare parts. This improvement from the industry will also help to improve the models and functioning parts of the vehicle which in other words helps to keep motorsport moving.