DUBAI: Sara Price slid out of her off-road vehicle at the Dakar Rally, after a rigorous ride through the diabolical dust and dunes in Saudi Arabia, and checked for certain she made history in the endurance event.
“I don’t think an American female’s ever won a stage, right,” she asked.
Price was right, the 31-year-old Californian this week became the first female American driver and third woman ever to win a Dakar stage.
Not bad for a Dakar rookie.
Price has forged a career out of remote adventures around the globe. She’s a former X Games medalist, drove in an electric racing series for Daytona 500 and Indianapolis 500 team owner Chip Ganassi, was a national dirt bike champion, and even went Hollywood for a spell. Look it up on IMDB, she boasts credits as a stunt driver, including in “Jumanji: The Next Level.”
But racing in Dakar?
The off-road race that stretches for thousands of miles, this year held up to 15 days throughout the jagged rocks and canyons in Saudi territory, had been just a dream for Price since 2015.
“This year, I finally just said, you know what, I’m going,” Price said in an interview with The Associated Press. “If that takes spending every ounce of dollars I have in my savings account, I’m going to make it happen. I don’t want to wait anymore. I was trying to get sponsors and funding to make it happen, I’d say heavily the last five years, and it just wasn’t happening. It’s a very expensive race to do.”
Price poured in her own money, held fundraisers in Canyon Lake, California (where she was raised) to raise roughly $500,000 and “took a leap of faith” to reach Dakar. Up first, she warmed up for Dakar in October with a second-place finish overall in the World Rally-Raid Championship in Morocco.
She also became the first American woman to earn a stage win in the race more commonly known as Rallye Du Maroc.
“We really did not expect to do as well as we did, but we ended up winning some stages and making some history there,” Price said. “That was huge, especially too, to be at the forefront for our country. All the little girls, looking up to me, saying, ‘Hey, I can do it, too,’ that’s pretty cool.”
Price was just getting started.
She arrived in Saudi Arabia as a privateer with a group that included her mechanic, navigator, best friend, and partner — fellow driver Ricky Brabec, who in 2020 became the first American to win the motorcycle division at Dakar.
Take a look this week in Al-Ula, and there’s Price racing a Can-Am Maverick X3 UTV over 230 miles to a stage victory in the T4 class (production models).
Originally a circuit from Paris to Dakar, Senegal, the race has been run across Saudi Arabia since 2020. Price — with help from navigator Jeremy Gray — has since joined Jutta Kleinschmidt of Spain and Cristina Gutiérrez of Spain as female winners at Dakar.
“If you go anywhere else and race in the world, everyone knows Dakar Rally,” Price said. “They know Dakar is a pinnacle of off-road. Everyone knows the racers. But if you come to America, not everyone really is familiar with or it or they don’t know the racers. It’s not quite as intense as the rest of the world.”
Perhaps Price’s stage win — with two stages left to go, the next two days are pivotal in clinching a victory or finishing on the podium — can open some eyes from fans and corporate sponsors in the American racing world.
“My whole life has been surrounded by racing,” she said. “I’ve raced from two wheels to four wheels, a lot of different disciplines. This is the pinnacle for me.”
Off-road racer Sara Price celebrates becoming first American woman to win stage in Dakar Rally
https://arab.news/wdwj3
Off-road racer Sara Price celebrates becoming first American woman to win stage in Dakar Rally
- Price was right, the 31-year-old Californian this week became the first female American driver and third woman ever to win a Dakar stage
- She has forged a career out of remote adventures around the globe
Rowland triumphs as British trio dominate second Jeddah E-Prix podium
- Briton capitalizes on a dramatic early collision between title contenders Antonio Felix da Costa and Maximilian Guenther
- Victory gives Rowland lead in Drivers’ World Championship standings, while Nissan hold slim lead in Teams’ Championship
JEDDAH: Oliver Rowland stormed to victory in the second race of the inaugural Jeddah E-Prix on Saturday, leading an all-British podium and securing Nissan’s place at the top of the Teams’ and Manufacturers’ World Championship standings.
Rowland’s expertly managed race saw him capitalize on a dramatic early collision between title contenders Antonio Felix da Costa and Maximilian Guenther. The incident cleared the way for the Briton to seize control, executing flawless energy management and Attack Mode activations to maintain his lead to the checkered flag.
“It was great — the key was at the beginning obviously. It was pretty much the perfect scenario. I had a little bit of contact with Guenther at the chicane; he got really aggressive on the inside and I got stuck on him,” Rowland said.
“That’s the point when I went to the front — being third or fourth, people start to get aggressive, so I got out of trouble and went to the front and led from there. I’m just trying to focus race by race, try and do the best job we can and score points,” he added.
The 21-year-old Taylor Barnard, who made history as the youngest polesitter in Formula E, took an impressive second place, fending off a late charge from Jake Hughes. Despite immense pressure, Barnard held firm to secure his second podium of the weekend for NEOM McLaren.
“Coming into this weekend I didn’t expect a podium, so to leave here with massive points for the team, I couldn’t be happier,” Barnard said. “I think I struggled a little bit for the first five laps — but two podiums, I’m so happy. Sometimes you have to be extra aggressive, but we also had to keep the podium and secure P2, and we did that.”
Hughes rounded out the podium in third, marking his first rostrum finish for Maserati MSG Racing and his second in Formula E. Reflecting on his hard-fought result, Hughes praised his team’s execution.
“It felt like it was a little bit on the edge, but super happy with today. After messing up FP3, getting into the Duels to the Semi-Final and then coming away with a podium for the team, I couldn’t ask for more really,” he said. “We did really well with the Attack Mode; we used the energy when we needed to, and the execution was great.”
The all-British dominance extended beyond the podium, with reigning champion Jake Dennis delivering a remarkable drive from 19th on the grid to finish fourth.
Meanwhile, Kiwi Nick Cassidy climbed from 17th to claim fifth, and Hughes’ Maserati teammate Stoffel Vandoorne secured sixth place. Defending champion Pascal Wehrlein, battling to limit the damage from a challenging weekend, finished eighth.
With this result, Rowland leads the Drivers’ World Championship standings with 68 points, ahead of Barnard on 51. Nissan hold a slim lead in the Teams’ Championship, with just five points separating the top four squads.
Formula E now heads to Miami for Round 5 on April 12, where the championship battle will continue on American soil.
Guenther clinches victory with last-ditch move at first Jeddah E-Prix race
- Nissan’s Oliver Rowland beaten by dramatic last-lap charge
JEDDAH: Maximilian Guenther secured victory in the inaugural Jeddah E-Prix, overtaking Nissan’s Oliver Rowland at the last corner to claim his first win for DS Penske in round three of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.
Guenther, who started from pole position for the first time since Jakarta 2023, initially led the race but lost places as drivers navigated Formula E’s debut Pit Boost mandatory pit stops.
Rowland, Taylor Barnard, and Mahindra Racing’s Nyck de Vries capitalized on early energy deployment, while Guenther took a more measured approach, conserving power for a late-race push.
That patience paid off. Setting the fastest lap on lap 27, the German driver fought back to second place before launching a dramatic last-lap charge. With a slight energy advantage, he seized his moment on the final chicane, making a decisive move to snatch victory from Rowland just before the chequered flag.
Guenther said: “This means everything to me. It’s the first win with my new team, DS Penske. It was a lot of hard work, a big race but an amazing outcome for us. We lost quite a few places around the pit stop window, but we just stayed calm and did our race. I didn’t expect to come back all the way.
“I thought a podium would have been good, but to do it in the end and to win it is an extra special feeling. I didn’t want to leave it until the last corner but there was no other option — Oli was doing a mega job today, a great race. I believed until the end.”
The victory marked Guenther’s first win since Tokyo last season and broke a 17-race streak in which the pole sitter had failed to convert the start into a victory.
Rowland, despite his disappointment, moved to the top of the Drivers’ Championship standings with 43 points, ahead of Antonio Felix da Costa. Porsche lead the Teams’ Championship by a slim three-point margin over DS Penske, while Nissan top the Manufacturers’ table.
Rowland said: “We had a plan before the race and we executed it pretty well. I’m a little bit disappointed because when I had such a gap, if I’d under-consumed a bit I’d have had enough energy to defend from Max. He caught me napping a little bit and I couldn’t do much in the last corner. Nevertheless, we scored some great points and on to tomorrow.”
NEOM McLaren’s Barnard completed the podium, celebrating a strong third-place finish after starting from P4.
He said: “Starting from P4, a podium was always my hope, but you never know how the race is going to play out. It was the first Pit Boost race as well, so to know that we’ve done the procedure that well as a team, I couldn’t be happier to be P3.”
With round four set to take place in Jeddah on Saturday, the championship battle remains fiercely competitive as the season continues to deliver thrills.
Racing fans meet Formula E drivers at autograph session
- 21 drivers featured at event at Jeddah’s circuit
- Enthusiast Adel Hasanain got there early to interact with motor racing icons
JEDDAH: Fans at the Jeddah E-Prix were given the opportunity to meet some of motorsport’s biggest stars in person on Friday in a pit-lane walk and autograph session.
Some 21 superstar drivers were featured at the autograph session, all taking time out of their busy schedules to meet fans, have their pictures taken, and sign all kinds of memorabilia.
Hadeer Mohammed, a Saudi student who attended Jeddah’s first race of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship with her friends, told Arab News that she was an enthusiast, and added: “I’m a big fan of both Formula One and Formula E and I was very happy when they announced they would host the Formula E in Jeddah.”
She said she was happy to be given the opportunity to meet the drivers, take selfies and get autographs.
She said: “I just got an autograph of Oliver Rowland and Norman Nato of Nissan.”
The Formula E drivers made themselves available at the fan zone with the teams providing photos, postcards and other goodies.
Adel Hasanain said that he arrived early in the day to interact with the motor racing icons.
He said: “It was an excellent opportunity to meet our favorite drivers. I had the chance to get a signed cap from Jake Dennis and Nico Mueller of the Andretti team, and Jean-Eric Vergne and Maximilian Guenther of DS Penske.”
Fans made the most of the opportunity to obtain autographs and take photographs.
Talal Al-Katheri, an engineering student at King Abdulaziz University, said: “It was a great moment for us today as we got the chance to meet these drivers.
“I am a fan of NEOM McLaren so I got autographs and photos of Sam Bird and Taylor Bernard.
“What a day it was, walking on the track and seeing the participating drivers up close.”
Formula E drivers revved-up for podium finishes at first Jeddah E-Prix
- The doubleheader of races will take place at Jeddah Corniche Circuit on Friday and Saturday
JEDDAH: Ahead of the third round of the Formula E’s season in Saudi Arabia this weekend, drivers from the teams competing in the first Jeddah E-Prix have revealed their ambitions for the doubleheader under lights.
Sam Bird of NEOM McLaren, Maximilian Guenther of DS PENSKE and Nick Cassidy of Jaguar TCS Racing spoke to Arab News recently ahead of the action taking place at Jeddah Corniche Circuit for the first time after six years of Formula E’s Saudi Arabia residency in Diriyah.
Bird, who previously managed to claim two wins in Saudi Arabia, said: “I am very motivated to get the best on the Jeddah’s track for the first time.
“I am really excited to take on the two doubleheaders in Jeddah and push for my first points with Jaguar Racing. I’ve won in Saudi Arabia, particularly in Diriyah not so long ago so can’t wait to get going here in Jeddah.”
Even though the Mexico City E-Prix in January did not go as planned for the British driver, who ended fourth, he is determined to get back on the podium on Saturday.
“We need a strong performance to stay in the fight at the top of the standings,” said Bird.
Meanwhile, New Zealand’s Cassidy is keen to replicate past success in Saudi Arabia.
“We have put in a lot of hard work since Mexico and hopefully we can translate that into some strong results in Jeddah,” the Jaguar driver said.
“I have happy memories of racing in Saudi Arabia for Jaguar TCS Racing, including taking my first win with the team, so it would be great to continue that.”
Germany’s Guenther, who narrowly lost the internal team duel against Jean-Eric Vergne in Mexico, commented: “I am happy with the way the team works together.
“It was only my second race with DS Penske, but I have the feeling that everything is developing very well. Now I am really looking forward to Jeddah.”
Jeddah all set for rounds 3 and 4 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship
- ABB FIA Formula E World Championship’s 11th season began with a thrilling opener in Brazil, followed by the 2nd round in Mexico on January 11
- Double-header race will showcase the inclusion of Pit Boost for the first time - cars will receive a 10 percent energy increase (3.85kWh) from a quick, 30-second 600kW re-charge in the pitlane
JEDDAH: The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship is primed for its first double-header of the season in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Rounds 3 and 4 will take place at the iconic Jeddah Corniche Circuit on Friday 14 and Saturday 15 February.
Since 2018, the E-Prix, was hosted for six successful seasons in Diriyah, this year it has been shifted to the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, renowned as the fastest street circuit in the world.
This two-day event, the third in the 17-race Formula E season, represents the seventh time Saudi Arabia has hosted a Formula E World Championship race, which includes 11 global locations.
The 11th season began with a thrilling opener in Brazil, followed by the 2nd round in Mexico on January 11. The competition has already delivered intense rivalries, particularly between reigning drivers’ champion Pascal Wehrlein and the NEOM McLaren team, which currently leads the teams’ championship standings.
Round 2 winner Oliver Rowland arrived in Jeddah and will be eager to deliver another standout performance, matching his victory last month in Mexico. The Brit’s victory lifted him into second in the Drivers’ Championship.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Beside the thrilling action during the two days, the double-header race will showcase the inclusion of Pit Boost for the first time. Cars will receive a 10 percent energy increase (3.85kWh) from a quick, 30-second 600kW re-charge in the pitlane.
Hosting up to 120 young women for its FIA Girls on Track program across race week. The day-long experience includes career talks, a Pit Lane Walk, activations in the Gaming Arena and educational partner workshops on-site, led by inspirational women from within the paddock.
The program focuses on STEM education and gender inclusivity in motorsport, engaging girls from diverse communities in host cities.
In addition, the Rookie Free Practice session debuts ahead of the event, providing global motorsport talent a chance to showcase their abilities in the latest GEN3 Evo technology. These changes highlight Formula E and the FIA’s commitment to innovation, competition, and fan engagement as the series embarks on an exciting new chapter in Jeddah.
Formula E’s philosophy is not just to race, but also it supports communities and the environment. The championship has revealed sustainability initiatives that will be implemented during the Jeddah E-Prix 2025.
These initiatives will include innovative social and environmental projects, the most important of which are the “Girls on Track” program, and the “Formula E Fund for a Better Future” to support charities, in addition to the use of renewable energy and waste management systems.
ABB FIA Formula E World Championship – standings after 2 of 16 races
Drivers’ classification
1. Antonio Felix da Costa (POR), 37 points
2. Oliver Rowland (GBR), 25 points
3. Mitch Evans (NZL), 25 points
4. Pascal Wehrlein (GER), 21 points
6. Jake Dennis (GBR), 13 points
14. Dan Ticktum (GBR), 4 points
15. Nico Müller (SUI), 2 points
22. David Beckmann (GER), 0 points
Teams’ classification
1. TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team (GER), 58 points
2. NEOM McLaren Formula E Team (GBR), 27 points
3. Jaguar TCS Racing (GBR), 25 points
7. Andretti Formula E (USA), 15 points
10. CUPRA KIRO (USA), 4 points
Manufacturers’ classification
1. Porsche, 55 points
2. Nissan, 54 points
3. Jaguar, 41 points
