Thirty-4 groups from 15 international locations have already put their entry in to participate in Saudi Arabia’s Rally Jameel, which is being held from March seventeenth to nineteenth.
With the rally now at full capability, the opponents, who vary from full inexperienced persons to seasoned rally veterans, will start flying in from all corners of the globe, because the thrilling new ladies’s solely navigational rally attracts ever nearer.
To this point, nearly all of groups entered are from Saudi Arabia itself, with 22 groups waving the flag for the Kingdom, with each Riyadh and Jeddah effectively represented. The rally will begin on the seventeenth March within the north-central metropolis of Hail.
Saudi nationwide Dania Akeel, who was the primary Saudi to take part within the Dakar Rally in 2022 and is a well-renowned determine within the regional motorsport scene, commented, “Rally Jameel evokes a way of journey and discovery. This rally will assist the rising variety of ladies on the street to grow to be comfy behind the wheel and expertise driving in a totally completely different option to driving on the street.”
The GCC can even be effectively represented with groups from each the United Arab Emirates and Oman collaborating within the rally. For many of them, this would be the first time they may have pushed in Saudi Arabia, after King Salman Al-Saud handed a decree recognizing ladies’s rights to drive on September twenty sixth, 2017. Ladies had been permitted to drive on public roads by the next summer time.
Competitor Sanaa Al Shekaili, who was the primary Omani racer from the GCC to take part within the 2020 Center East Rally Championship, ending in third place, mentioned, “Rally Jameel is my probability to resume the love I’ve had of challenges since my childhood, particularly within the subject of motor racing, the place I’ve the flexibility to problem myself and the opposite opponents on this distinguished GCC women-only occasion.”
Shekaili, who additionally established the primary ladies’s automobile membership in Oman added, “That is very thrilling to take part in. In addition to empowering Omani ladies on the planet of automobile racing and rallying, it is usually showcasing Omani ladies on this subject on the worldwide stage.”
Some opponents will probably be flying into Saudi Arabia from a lot additional afield, with three groups collaborating from the USA. Europe can even be effectively represented with a group from Sweden and a group from Spain. Nearer to dwelling, there can even be one group from close by Egypt taking to the roads between Hail and Riyadh.
US-based competitor Sedona Blinson, who has beforehand participated in Rally Jameel’s inspiration, the Rebelle Rally, mentioned, “Participating in Rally Jameel, for me, is an unbelievable option to assist ladies who’re new to the scene of off-roading and motorsports. My aim is to encourage extra ladies to attempt their hand in motorsports and embrace new adventures. I’m most trying ahead to competing with an array of worldwide groups and navigating the gorgeous deserts of Saudi Arabia.”
The navigational rally, which isn’t designed as a pace check, will begin within the north-central metropolis of Hail, taking within the websites of Al- Qassim metropolis after which heading to the capital, Riyadh, through hidden checkpoints and challenges.
The rally is open to any nationwide and worldwide entrant aged over 18 and holding a driving license accepted in Saudi Arabia. No particular tools is required, because the automobiles are required to be completely unmodified, though they should be a 4×4 or AWD.
Abdul Latif Jameel Motors has additionally been encouraging native, regional, and worldwide participation in Rally Jameel, as they aim skilled drivers in motorsport.
