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Al-Rajhi, Abu Aisheh and Al-Khulaifi grab opening qualifying stage wins at Saudi Baja 2022 in Hail

Yazeed Al-Rajhi at the Saudi Baja. (Supplied)
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Updated 11 November 2022
Arab News
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Al-Rajhi, Abu Aisheh and Al-Khulaifi grab opening qualifying stage wins at Saudi Baja 2022 in Hail

  • Car, motorbike and quad competitors set for 229km stage on Friday
Updated 11 November 2022
Arab News

HAIL: Saudi Arabia’s Yazeed Al-Rajhi, Jordan’s Abdullah Abu Aisheh and Saudi Arabia’s Abdulmajeed Al-Khulaifi topped the car, motorcycle and quad categories after a shortened 3.91-kilometer qualifying stage at the start of the three-day Saudi Baja 2022 in Hail on Thursday.

Al-Rajhi and his German co-driver Dirk von Zitzewitz stopped the clock in 3 minutes, 9.9 seconds to win the day’s stage by 8.8 seconds in their Overdrive Racing Toyota Hilux.

Brazilian driver Cristiano de Sousa Batista and his Portuguese co-driver Fausto Mota came home in second and first in T4, and Al-Rajhi’s Czech title rival Miroslav Zapletal and his Slovakian co-driver Marek Sykora were third. Fourth-placed Fernando Alvarez and Xavier Panseri topped the T3 standings.

Young Jordanian rider Abdullah Abu Aishah topped the times on two wheels with a run of 3:33.0 on his KTM Factory Rally 450. Great Britain’s Alex McInnes and Makis Rees-Stavros were second and third.

Local Yamaha Raptor rider Abdulmajeed Al-Khulaifi beat Abdulaziz Ahli by nine seconds to win the quad stage. He was also faster than the leading motorcyclist in the FIM category.

After the ceremonial start at the Al-Maghawah National Park, competitors tackled a qualifying stage that was reduced from 18 km to just 3.91 km in length. Nineteen FIA cars, 31 motorcycles, four quads and 25 vehicles running in the Saudi National Baja were permitted to start.

Majed Al-Thunayyan and Yahya Ali Abdu were disqualified from the FIA event on the grounds that their cars failed stringent technical specifications. Maha Al-Hameli and Annie Seel also dropped out of the FIA event and moved their Team Black Horse Can-Am into the National Baja.

The seventh round of both the FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Bajas and the FIM Bajas World Cup, round three of the FIA Middle East Cup for Cross-Country Bajas, and the third event in the Saudi Toyota Rally Championship, is being organized by the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation in conjunction with the Ministry of Sport, and in partnership with Abdul Latif Jameel Motors.

On Friday, competitors will tackle a slightly revised stage of 229.52 km to the west and northwest of Hail, which will be split into two sections of 101.52 km and 128 km by a neutralization link.

The day’s selective section is named after the neighboring city of Jubbah that is situated 90 km northwest of Hail on the old caravan road between Najd and the eastern Mediterranean Sea.




The start of the Saudi Baja. (Supplied)

Saudi Baja 2022-Hail (positions after qualifying stage):

FIA

  1. Yazeed Al-Rajhi (Saudi Arabia)/Dirk von Zitzewitz (Germany) Toyota Hilux Overdrive: 3:09.9
  2. Cristiano de Sousa Batista (Brazil)/Fauto Mota (Portugal) Can-Am Maverick XRS Turbo RR (T4): 3:18.7
  3. Miroslav Zapletal (Czech Republic)/Marek Sykora (Slovakia) Ford F150 Evo: 3:20.5
  4. Fernando Alvarez (Spain)/Xavier Panseri (France) Can-Am Maverick X3 (T3): 3:21.3
  5. Saleh Al-Saif (Saudi Arabia)/Tariq Al-Rammah (Saudi Arabia) Can-Am Maverick X3 (T3): 3:21.5
  6. Egidijus Valeisa (Lithuania)/ Mindaugas Varza (Lithuania) Can-Am Maverick XRS Turbo (T4): 3:26.5
  7. Aliyyah Koloc (UAE)/Stephane Duple (France) Buggyra Can-Am DV21 3:31.4
  8. Hamed Al-Harbi (Saudi Arabia)/Dmytro Tsyro (Ukraine) Can-Am Maverick X3 (T3): 3:34.0
  9. Kees Koolen (Netherlands)/Paolo Ceci (Italy) Can-Am Maverick XRS Turbo (T4): 3:34.1
  10. Meshari Al-Thefiri (Kuwait)/Oriol Vidal (Spain) Can-Am Maverick XRS Turbo RR (T4): 3:34.2

T1 unless stated

FIM Bikes

  1. Abdullah Abu Aishah (Jordan) KTM 450 Factory Rally: 3:33.0
  2. Alex McInnes (Great Britain) Husqvarna FE 450: 3:37.7
  3. Makis Rees-Stavros (Great Britain) KTM EXC F 450: 3:47.0
  4. Mohammed Al-Balooshi (UAE) TM 450: 3:52.6
  5. Salman Mohamed Farhan (Bahrain) Husqvarna FE 450: 3:59.6
  6. Martin Chalmers (Qatar) Honda CRF 450: 4:01.4
  7. Abdullah Al-Shatti (Kuwait) Kawasaki KC 450: 4:09.1
  8. Ehab Ak-Hakeem (Saudi Arabia) Yamaha WR 450F: 4:15.7
  9. Margot Llobera (Spain) KTM EXC 450: 4:21.1
  10. Othman Al-Ghfeli (Saudi Arabia) Honda CRF 450: 4:21.8

FIM Quads

  1. Abdulmajeed Al-Khulaifi (Saudi Arabia) Yamaha Raptor 700: 3:32.7
  2. Abdulaziz Ahli (Saudi Arabia) Yamaha YFZ 450R: 3:41.2
  3. Hani Al-Noumesi (Saudi Arabia) Yamaha Raptor 700: 4:11.4
  4. Haitham Al-Tuwaijri (Saudi Arabia) Yamaha Raptor 700: 5:01.7
Topics: Saudi Baja 2022 Hail Motorsport

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Al-Attiyah and Van Beveren stripped of Dakar Rally stage wins

Updated 09 January 2025
AP
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Al-Attiyah and Van Beveren stripped of Dakar Rally stage wins

  • American driver Seth Quintero was promoted to first for the second time in a week, beating Al-Attiyah by one second
  • French rider Adrien van Beveren also had the motorbike stage win taken from him after he was penalized two minutes for speeding in the Saudi Arabia desert
Updated 09 January 2025
AP

HA’IL: Five-time champion Nasser Al-Attiyah was stripped of a smashing stage win in the Dakar Rally because of a missing spare wheel on Thursday.
Instead, American driver Seth Quintero was promoted to first for the second time in a week, beating Al-Attiyah by one second.
French rider Adrien van Beveren also had the motorbike stage win taken from him after he was penalized two minutes for speeding in the Saudi Arabia desert. Instead, Luciano Benavides of Argentina was given first place by 47 seconds from Van Beveren.
Al-Attiyah initially won the fifth stage from AlUla 428 speedy kilometers east to rocky Ha’il after 4 1/2 hours by a whopping 9 minutes, 59 seconds. But the missing spare wheel cost him a 10-minute penalty, dropping the Qatari to second and bumping Quintero to first.
Quintero also was promoted to first on the first stage on Saturday after he was credited time for helping a crashed rival.
The 22-year-old Quintero, who suffered three punctures on Wednesday, was barely helped in the overall standings as he was 1 1/2 hours behind Toyota teammate and race leader Henk Lategan.
But the penalty was a double blow for Al-Attiyah, who made up only 53 seconds on Lategan and was 35 minutes behind the South African leader going into the rest day Friday.
Lategan was fourth on the stage, stretching his overall lead on second-placed Yazeed Al Rajhi to 10 minutes and third-placed Mattias Ekstrom to 21 minutes. None of the leading three drivers have won the Dakar and only Al Rajhi has made the podium, a third in 2022.
“It was the hardest first week of my career on the Dakar,” Al Rajhi said amidst his 11th Dakar and sixth on home ground. “All the stages were long, tough and difficult everywhere.”
Benavides wins motorbike stage
Van Beveren led the motorbike stage for about the last 200 kilometers and thought he had his sixth career stage win, but his second speeding penalty of the race gave Benavides his fourth career stage win.
Benavides, a four-time top-10 finisher in the five Dakars he’s completed, beat Van Beveren by 47 seconds. Jose Ignacio Cornejo of Chile was third.
Benavides was seventh overall, 24 minutes behind his KTM teammate and race leader Daniel Sanders. But he suggested he was being hampered by team orders.
“I hope the strategy is going to be favorable to me in the second week,” Benavides said. “I’m happy with the bike and my pace. I feel better than I ever have. But, on this race, some decisions are made that call into question the strategic choices prepared several days before.”
The overall leaders didn’t change but Sanders’ gap on the shrinking field was cut after he was penalized eight minutes plus for speeding three times.
That reduced his overall lead to seven minutes over Spain’s Tosha Schareina and 18 minutes over Botswana’s Ross Branch. Van Beveren rose from sixth to fourth, another 30 seconds back.

Topics: 2025 Dakar Rally Nasser Al-Attiyah Adrien Van Beveren

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Dakar Rally provides a platform for sharing Kingdom’s breathtaking beauty with the world
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Dakar Rally provides a platform for sharing Kingdom’s breathtaking beauty with the world

Updated 09 January 2025
Arab News
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Dakar Rally provides a platform for sharing Kingdom’s breathtaking beauty with the world

  • Journalists, photographers, broadcasters are the storytellers to bring the experience to life, showcasing unique Saudi attractions
  • Dakar Rally Saudi Arabia 2025 is celebration of exploration, storytelling
Updated 09 January 2025
Arab News

RIYADH: This year’s Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia is a stage for sharing the breathtaking beauty of the Kingdom with the world, in addition to it being a test of endurance for drivers.
Running until Jan. 17, the rally spans 7,737 km, including 5,129 km of timed special stages, and features 439 vehicles across multiple categories.
It takes participants through some of the Kingdom’s most stunning natural landscapes and archaeological treasures.
At the heart of the spectacle lies the media’s vital role in connecting global audiences to the rally’s excitement and adventure.
Journalists, photographers, and broadcasters are the storytellers who will bring the Dakar experience to life while showcasing unique Saudi beauty and culture.
This year’s rally has attracted 618 accredited journalists from 128 media outlets, representing 48 nationalities. Their collective efforts highlight the universal fascination with the Dakar Rally and its ability to transcend borders.
As the drivers push their limits across sand dunes, rugged mountains, and rocky trails, the media captures more than just the competition: They shine a light on the Kingdom’s vast, untouched landscapes and rich cultural heritage, offering viewers a window into Saudi Arabia’s diverse beauty.
From ancient archaeological wonders to sweeping desert vistas, the rally’s route becomes a showcase of the Kingdom’s allure.
Through articles, interviews, photos, and live broadcasts, journalists showcase narratives of human resilience and adventure.
Their work transcends the race itself, sharing stories of perseverance, teamwork, and cultural exchange with millions of followers globally.
The Dakar Rally Saudi Arabia 2025 is a celebration of exploration and storytelling.
Thanks to the dedication of the international media, the world gets to experience the beauty of the rally and the Kingdom, one story at a time.

Topics: Dakar Rally Saudi Arabia

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Four UAE teams among strong line-up for 24H Dubai race

Updated 09 January 2025
Arab News
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Four UAE teams among strong line-up for 24H Dubai race

  • More than 70 teams are set to compete in the Jan. 11-12 event, which coincides with Dubai Autodrome’s 20th anniversary
Updated 09 January 2025
Arab News

DUBAI: Dubai Autodrome will welcome 70 race teams — including four UAE-based outfits — for this weekend’s milestone 20th Michelin 24H Dubai race.

The event, which will see some of the world’s top endurance drivers in action, coincides with Dubai Autodrome’s own 20th anniversary celebrations.

The season-opening 24HR Series will see its largest GT3 grids, with more than 30 teams taking to the track for the flagship competition on Jan. 11-12.

Among the UAE teams competing are Rabdan Motorsport, led by Emirati driver Saif Al-Ameri, who will be joined by teammates Fahad Al-Zaabi, Salem Al-Ketbi and Christopher Zoechling. Other UAE-based teams include Dragon Racing, Fulgenzi Racing and Duel Racing.

They will be part of a competitive grid which has attracted prominent names from the world of endurance motorsport. These include two-time World Rally Championship winner Kalle Rovanpera, former World Touring Car series champion Robert Huff and reigning Asian Le Mans Series GT winner Alex Malykhin. Also set to be behind the wheel are Oman’s Ahmad Al-Harthy, British Touring Car champion Jake Hill and Saudi Arabia’s first professional female racing driver Reema Juffali.

Indian actor Ajith Kumar, who has starred in more than 60 movies in the Tamil film industry, makes his return to motor racing with his own newly formed team, Ajith Kumar Racing.

Mixing with this elite field will be Dubai Autodrome’s very own Jamie Day, who has climbed through the ranks from karting to race in the GT3 category. The venue’s driving instructors, Axcil Jefferies (2021 edition champion), Mathieu Detry (GT AM 2024 champion) and Ramez Azzam are also set to line up on the track.

Since opening in 2004, the Dubai Autodrome has staged every edition of the 24H Dubai, with the event a key championship in the venue’s busy motorsport calendar.

General Manager Faisal Al-Sahlawi said: “This 2025 Michelin 24H Dubai event represents a significant moment as it is also part of Dubai Autodrome’s 20th anniversary celebrations. Since the lights first went out way back in 2006, this motorsport event has gone from strength to strength, creating wonderful memories to cherish. The fact we are staging the 20th edition of this flagship event, which has brought together some of the top names in motorsport, reaffirms how highly-regarded it is, both in the UAE and abroad.

“This competition has served as an important platform for UAE drivers and teams to get competitive experience against an international field that will help them in their development. In the past, we have seen many teams and drivers fly the UAE flag high by gaining podium finishes and we hope to see some of the participants follow in their footsteps.”

Off the track, the weekend includes a wide array of family entertainment and activities, including a cultural zone where visitors can explore the cultures of Africa, Asia, America and Australia, a kids’ zone and a car display.

Topics: Motorsport UAE

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Sebastian Loeb limps home as teenager wins Dakar stage

Updated 07 January 2025
AFP
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Sebastian Loeb limps home as teenager wins Dakar stage

  • The nine-time World Rally Champion went off the road 12 kilometers into the 327km-stage between Bisha and Al Henakiyah
Updated 07 January 2025
AFP

AL-HENAKIYAH, Saudi Arabia: Sebastien Loeb struggled to complete Stage 3 of the Dakar Rally on Tuesday after rolling his car near the start, a setback that is likely to cost him his dream of a first title in the event.
The nine-time World Rally Champion went off the road 12 kilometers into the 327km-stage between Bisha and Al Henakiyah. After a nasty bounce his Dacia performed several impressive rolls, which seriously damaged the vehicle.
The 50-year-old Frenchman and his Belgian co-driver Fabian Lurquin set off again after a five-minute stop for repairs, but struggled throughout the rest of the stage.
Loeb, who has finished second three times in the Dakar Rally, ended the stage in 4 hours 20 minutes 12 seconds, more than an hour behind the day’s winner, 19-year-old South African Saood Variawa.
“We were able to continue but suddenly the steering rod broke, I think because of the rollover,” said Loeb at the finish.
“Then we had a problem with the engine overheating. We tried to finish the stage. We managed to do so, but we lost an hour.
“It wasn’t the kind of day we prefer. We lost an hour and we got the feeling that we were in ‘it’ up to our necks. But it is what it is, we just have to continue. We’ll keep on racing and we’ll see, even if winning the rally is starting to look complicated.”
Variawa, in a Toyota, finished 33 seconds ahead of Frenchman Guerlain Chicherit in a Mini.
Another South African Toyota driver, Henk Lategan retained the overall lead after finishing 12th on the day, 7mins 31sec behind Variawa.
Variawa is 41st, 7 hours 47 minutes 11 seconds behind after losing eight hours the day before following a head-on collision with team-mate and compatriot Giniel de Villiers.
Loeb sits 16th, almost an hour and a quarter off first. He also lost 30 minutes on Sunday when a fan problem caused his engine to overheat.
Reigning champion Carlos Sainz had retired on Monday after his Ford Raptor flipped, damaging its roll bar.
With rain forecast, the stage was shortened from the original 496 km.
In the motorbike competition, Spaniard Lorenzo Santolino, riding a Sherco and making his seventh appearance in the Dakar Rally, won a stage for the first time.
Australian Daniel Sanders still leads the overall standings.
The Rally through Saudi Arabia ends on January 17 in the Empty Quarter desert.

Topics: Motorsport Saudi Arabia Dakar Rally 2025 Dakar Rally

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Saudi Next Gen Program selects 2 crews for Dakar Rally 2026

Updated 07 January 2025
Arab News
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Saudi Next Gen Program selects 2 crews for Dakar Rally 2026

  • Hamza Bakhashab, Abdullah Alshegawi, Raed Alassaf, Fahad Alamr to represent Saudi Arabia
  • Program conducted under direct supervision of Italian driver Edo Mossi
Updated 07 January 2025
Arab News

BISHA: The Saudi Next Gen Program has selected drivers Hamza Bakhashab and Abdullah Alshegawi and their navigators Raed Alassaf and Fahad Alamr as the Kingdom’s representatives for the Dakar Rally 2026.
The Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation, and the Saudi Motorsport Company, through the Saudi Next Gen Program under the supervision of the Ministry of Sport, announced the selection of the two crews on Tuesday.
Their selection follows great performances and relevant progress during rigorous training and competitions, marking a significant step in the Vision 2030 initiative to support and develop Saudi talents in motorsports.
The selection process involved rigorous evaluations, including theoretical and practical training sessions as well as field tests led by motorsports experts.
The program was conducted under the direct supervision of Italian driver Edo Mossi, a four-time Dakar finisher, alongside program ambassadors Yazeed Al-Rajhi, Yasir Bin Seaidan, and Mishaal Al-Ghneim.
Prince Khalid bin Sultan Al-Abdullah Al-Faisal, the chairman of the SAMF and the Saudi Motorsport Company, said: “We are proud today to announce the winners of the Saudi Next Gen Program, who will have the opportunity of participating in the Dakar Rally Saudi Arabia 2026, one of the most challenging and renowned races in the world.”
He added that the initiative was not merely a competition but part of Saudi Vision 2030, adding: “It is an opportunity to prepare a new generation of exceptional Saudi drivers who will lead motorsports in the Kingdom to new horizons.”
The four talents are to undergo comprehensive preparation, including specialized training on desert terrains, guidance from a seasoned technical team, and logistical support from the organizing entities.
They will also compete in national-level championships to refine their racing skills and build competitive experience, ensuring they are fully prepared for the Dakar Rally.
The announcement aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to advance motorsports and nurture a new generation of Saudi drivers to compete globally.
The Saudi Next Gen Program is a key initiative aimed at strengthening the Kingdom’s position as a premier destination for motorsports while inspiring Saudi youngsters to pursue their dreams in the field.
The program featured five nominated drivers who participated in rigorous training sessions in Bisha between Dec. 31 and Jan. 5, under the guidance of Mossi. The program included practicing with Yamaha SSV vehicles and navigating five stages designed to simulate desert rally terrain.

Topics: Dakar Rally Saudi Next Gen Program Vision 2030 Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation

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