10 Saudi drivers are preparing to participate in the 2024 Dakar Rally
The pace of anticipation is increasing 5 days before the start of the fifth edition of the Saudi Dakar Rally 2024, as competitors have completed their final preparations to participate in the 46th edition of the biggest challenge in the world of motorsport and the most prestigious rally on the face of the earth, which the Kingdom fully embraces for the fifth year in a row.
The participants will start from the city of Al-Ula on January 5, and the competitions will conclude in Yanbu on January 19, with the participation of elite drivers and riders from all over the world, who have confirmed the start of their preparations to participate in the most challenging rally in the world.
The drivers will begin their journey this year with a preliminary stage from the starting camp in Al-Ula, before embarking on a journey that crosses many cities in the Kingdom. The route this year passes through Al-Hanakiyah, Al-Dawadmi, Al-Salamiyah, Al-Hofuf, Shubaita, Riyadh, Hail and Yanbu, for a total distance exceeding 7,891 km, including 4,827 km of special stages subject to timing. .
This year, 10 Saudi drivers are participating in the competitions: Yazid Al-Rajhi in the T1 category, Ibrahim Al-Muhanna in the Stock category, while Saleh Al-Saif, Dania Aqeel and Mashael Al-Obaidan are participating in the T3 category, and Yasser bin Saeedan and Maha Al-Hamli are participating in the T-category. 4”, Tariq Al-Rammah is also competing in the “T5” category, while Abdul Halim Al-Mughira is participating in the motorcycle category, and Hani Al-Noumsi is competing in the quads category.
Veteran Saudi driver Yazid Al Rajhi returns to participate in the Saudi Dakar Rally for the tenth time in a row, where he will participate in the T1+ Prototype category, with the Overdrive Racing team and riding a Hilux Overdrive car.
Al Rajhi had achieved third place overall in the 2022 edition, where he climbed to the podium of the ancient rally for the first time in its history, but in the last edition the Saudi star’s participation in the Dakar Rally did not go as it should, as he remained among the top three places until the sixth day. But everything collapsed on the way to Riyadh when he faced mechanical problems that hindered his chances of success and he finished the race in 37th place, but Al Rajhi remains among the favorites to compete for victory.
Driver Saleh Al-Saif is also competing this year for the fifth time in a row, in the “T3” lightweight desert vehicle category, as part of the “Dark Horse” team, riding an “OT3” vehicle produced by the Belgian “G Rally” company. Al-Saif has recorded a performance He has been strong since his first participation in the Dakar Rally in 2020, when he finished the rally in 12th place overall, but he presented a disappointing performance in the next two editions, and did not complete the rally during them despite winning the first stage in 2021, to return strongly last year and record the best result. His best ever after he finished the rally in sixth place.
On the other hand, driver Dania Aqeel returns to participate in the Saudi Dakar Rally for the third time in a row, in the T3 category, riding a “Taurus T3” vehicle and within the “Weavers Sport” team.
Dania has an impressive record, as she is the first woman in the world to win the FIA World Cup for Cross-Country, T3 category, in 2021. She was also one of the first two Saudi female drivers to complete the Dakar Rally and the first Arab woman to finish the race in the top ten, after achieving Eighth place in the T3 category in its first participation in 2022.
It is noteworthy that Dania was exposed to problems on the fourth day of competition last year, which prevented her from improving her overall ranking, and she finished the rally in 28th place.
For the third year in a row, driver Mashael Al-Obaidan is participating in the Saudi Dakar Rally competitions, riding a “Can-M” vehicle. Mashael is the first Saudi woman to obtain a license to participate in rallyes, and she also participated in the 2022 Saudi Dakar Rally as one of the first two Saudi women to complete the race. She finished in 17th place, and last year she finished 24th in the race.
Yasser bin Saedan also began his participation in the Dakar Rally in 2014, and his participation in the 2024 Saudi Dakar Rally will be the seventh in the light desert vehicle category of commercial production “T4”, and riding a “BRP” vehicle within the “MMB” team. .
It is noteworthy that Yasser achieved his best result in his participation in the Dakar Rally when he finished the race in third place in the T2 car category in 2016, but in the last edition he participated in the T4 category and finished the race in 23rd place.
For her part, Saudi driver Maha Al-Hamli is preparing to record her first appearance in the prestigious rally, as she participates in the “T4” category aboard a “BRP” vehicle and within the “Dark Horse” team.
Maha is the third Saudi driver to participate in the Saudi Dakar Rally competitions, after Mashael Al-Obaidan and Dania Aqeel.
Driver Ibrahim Al-Muhanna will also compete this year in the “Stock” car category, where he is participating for the fifth time in the Saudi Dakar Rally competitions. He also previously participated in the “T5” truck categories and the “T2” car category, and will compete on board a “Nissan Patrol.”
Al-Muhanna achieved his best position in his participation in the Dakar Rally in 2020 when he achieved 28th place in the truck category.
Saudi driver Tariq Al-Rammah is preparing to participate for the fifth time in a row in the rally, as he is participating this year in the “T5” truck category on board a “MAN” truck from “Volvo” and within the “STA” team.
Saudi cyclist Abdul Halim Al-Mughira is participating in the motorcycle category, riding a KTM Rally Replica 450 bike, while cyclist Hani Al-Noumsi is preparing to make his first appearance in the Dakar Rally this year in the quad bike category, riding Raptor 700 bike from Yamaha.
2023-12-31 21:11:15
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