YLLANA RACING and OKADA Announces MOTORSPORT CARNIVALE 2025

Good looking actor, councilor and pro racer Jomari Yllana welcomed us at the Okada Glass Ballroom this morning for the Motorsport Carnivale 2025 hosted by Yllana Racing and Okada Manila.

"I started underground racing during my teens, but it was quick. I was picked up by Ochoa, managed my career and placed me in Toyota in 1996. I got pro, and my advocacy for safe racing. It's passion for competition, combination of thrill and admiration for machinery. The more you practice, the more better you get from it. I'm half a century old, paving the way to open races which has been banned in the 80's, now we are organizing legal ones to guide more every step of the way. Hopefully to promote and get future champs, and to also host international races soon. We are setting up the platform for the next generation. The circuits are there, the approach we are doing right now is to bring back races in Manila."

He adds "We want to unite, you'll be surprised because they are just waiting for a venue. May 4th will be big, the Filipino motor culture is alive and this will be big!"

They have prepared several motorsports events this year to put Philippines in the world map and found home in the biggest integrated resort Okada Manila. The first event will be in May 4th, then one in the last week of June (TBA on Motorsport Carnivale 2025 social channels). As proud producers who are also in the industry, they want folks to enjoy races first as they are held in Manila. The last one was the Motorsport Carnivale 2023 which they also organized.

Rikki Dy-Liacco the Head of Motorsports at the Automobile Association Philippines says "We are equally excited, we had Motorsport Carnivale in 2023, and after a hiatus, we will have prepared over 2 years, to hopefully accommodate everyone, to have a long term relationship with Okada and do motorsports in this side of the metro. We believe the time is right, it's time to give back to motor sports." 

He adds "As a part of AAP, my dream of putting motorsports back in its hey days, where local and foreign competitors would come and enjoy venues in Manila. This is a big opportunity to achieve that goal, Joms and I want to bring in a race event of international standards, if not this year, maybe next year. We are crossing our fingers to do it now, but if not, we can do it in 2026. This is why we are also focusing on amateurs and children."

Okada's VP for Hotels Robert Scott reiterates "We are proud to partner with Yllana Racing, with passion, local talent, we are building a great tourism event this coming Sunday. Here's to growing it, we are excited for this event!" 

Here's our very candid interview with Jomari Yllana before the launch!

JOMS CUP The 1/8 Mile Challenge 2025 will also happen on May 31st, a drag racing event for Super Cars, Muscle Cars and Vintage Car Categories. They will also have one race specifically for Electric Vehicles, with celebrity drivers to do it. This will all amount to 2400 vehicles, thousands of car fans, same spirit and hopefully a comeback for a Philippine Grand Prix soon. The big awards night will be in November, and this will be a regular thing as they are already preparing for next year!

They also will be spearheading events for the Rally of Paranaque and Rally of Lubang will happen in June (and will have several city roads closed) and the plan is to have the course end in the same boardwalk so folks can see the racers in the finish line.

There are several projects in the pipeline, stay tuned for more updates from Motorsport Carnivale 2025 because they've got a great program lined up for you folks!