DAKAR RALLY (over 9.000 km of race) to be held in Saudi Arabia in January 2020 and the next 4 years

[ArabianEmpires&Caliphates]

Gruelling Dakar Rally route through Saudi Arabia’s ‘captivating’ deserts revealed by Sports Authority​

AL-QADDIYA: More details about the Dakar Rally expected to take place in January 2020 in Saudi Arabia were released on Thursday by the Kingdom's General Sports Authority at an event in Al-Qaddiya.

The race starts on Jan. 5 in Jeddah, with the drivers set to race through Al-Madinah, Tabuk and Ha’il regions before a having a rest day in Riyadh. From the capital, the route winds its way back toward the coast through the Asir region and ends in the city of Al-Qaddiya on Jan. 17.

Speaking at the event, the chairman of the General Sports Authority (GSA) Prince Abdul Aziz bin Turki Al-Faisal announced a 10-year partnership with the Dakar Rally, saying: "We want the world to see the captivating desert of Saudi Arabia and to get to know the good and hospitable people of the Kingdom that looks forward to receiving the world.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1121405912592392192

“Our country is extremely passionate about sport and our strategic goal is to feed that appetite as we move further towards achieving Vision 2030 of which sport is a basic pillar.

“In hosting Dakar Rally we aim to produce an unbelievable and unforgettable experience for drivers as they discover the beauty of Saudi nature and a unique spectacle for motorsport fans not only in Saudi Arabia but also in the region and around the world.”

It was announced earlier this month that the race would be held in Saudi Arabia, and for the first time in the Middle East.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1121416616493887488

The Dakar has been held in South America since 2009. The gruelling multi-stage rally was previously held in Africa but was relocated after terrorist threats in Mauritania in 2008.

Prince Khalid Bin Sultan Abdullah Al-Faisal, chairman of the Saudi Arabian Motor Federation, said when the race announcement was made: “I have always wanted to participate in Dakar Rally, while I wasn’t fortunate to achieve that ambition, I’m now part of achieving a much bigger dream for my country as Dakar comes to the Middle East region for the first time ever.”

CEO of Qiddiya project Michael Reininger said: "Qiddiya will soon become the centre of the motorsports world by virtue of an unparalleled collection of on track and off road facilities and a set of experiences and events that have never been assembled in one place before.”

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1121402920619130883

The CEO of the rally's organizing company, Amaury Sport Organization, Yann Le Moenner thanked the princes for their commitment to bringing the rally to Saudi Arabia, adding: “Crossing the best deserts of the world has always been in the DNA of the Dakar, to discover and share.”

Dakar Rally director David Castera said: “Following 30 years of discoveries, fateful encounters, and exploits, Étienne Lavigne rose to a new challenge when he took the rally across the Atlantic to South America and brought Dakar fever to a new continent. Now, the time has come to set a new course and enter uncharted territory with the next destination of the Dakar and its competitors in Saudi Arabia.”

Meanwhile, the drivers involved in the rally have been in Saudi Arabia soaking up local culture and experiencing some of the desert landscapes they will drive through in January.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1121378462894362624

http://www.arabnews.com/node/1488041/saudi-arabia

Cool.

 

[ArabianEmpires&Caliphates]

A small glimpse of the terrain that the drivers and spectators will encounter on their route:

 

[ArabianEmpires&Caliphates]

Continued:

Saudi Arabia Snow by ABO_TMEEM, on Flickr

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1121416616493887488

Stunning footage. Arabia.

 

[Wilhelm II]

Saudi is made for rally in origin

 

[ArabianEmpires&Caliphates]

Saudi is made for rally in origin

When you think about it is hard to argue against this claim. KSA has some of the most incredible landscapes (great diversity too as can be seen just from my 40 random photos from areas on the route) and unspoiled nature out there. The latter being a rarity in most countries nowadays.

While we are already in the top 15 of most visited countries in the world (not so much due to traditional tourism) it is my hope that the more the country opens up (now with tourist visa) the more of the beautiful landscapes and nature of KSA will be known to the outside world and we can have a great reputation for tourism that this land deserves by virtue of its landscapes and nature.

Many locals don't appreciate nor know enough about the beautiful country they live in. Not even going to talk about the potential.

Imagine what could be done in Northern KSA alone if the necessary money was spent on R&D that deals with agricultural techniques, innovation etc. Potentially that region of KSA alone could feed much of the region. Or something simple like the recent campaigns of planting millions of new trees. Sometimes you wonder, why was this not done earlier?

Anyway that was off-topic.

Apparently the Dakar Rally will be held in KSA for 5 straight years starting this upcoming January!

Dakar reveals details of 2020 Saudi Arabia route

The route for the 2020 Dakar Rally, the first edition of the legendary rally-raid to be held in Saudi Arabia, has been revealed.

Event organiser ASO presented the route during a press conference in Al-Qiddiya, near Saudi capital Riyadh, on Thursday alongside representatives from the Saudi government.

The event will commence on January 5 in Jeddah, the second-largest city in the country that is located on the west coast, before concluding on January 17 in Al-Qiddiya after 12 stages and over 9,000km of running. A rest day is planned for January 11 in Riyadh.

Given the nature of the Saudi terrain, much of the route will be characterised by sand dunes – like in last year’s Peru-based Dakar – as competitors tackle the Rub’ al Khali desert.

But the opening stages will feature some WRC-style tracks and mountainous terrain.

Rally director David Castera commented: "For a born explorer like the Dakar, a fascinating and exciting third chapter begins. In the most extensive country of the [Middle East] region, the possibilities to create a demanding, balanced and varied route are practically endless.

"There is no doubt that the sporting challenge that we are building for the 42nd edition will reflect the freedom of creation given to us by this gigantic territory that combines deserts, mountains, canyons, valleys and even coastal areas."

The deal for Saudi Arabia to host the Dakar is understood to be for five years, although that does not exclude other countries from joining the route in that time.

https://www.motorsport.com/dakar/news/2020-saudi-arabia-route-details/4375368/

 

[HAIDER]

My dream , but need big sponsor ... all time favorite rally car ..

 

[ArabianEmpires&Caliphates]

My dream , but need big sponsor ... all time favorite rally car ..

I can sponsor you, lol. Just kidding.

Lancia Stratos with a Ferrari V6 motor.



Good stuff.

KSA is the perfect country for rally and off-road racing due to its amazing landscapes, nature, diversity and unspoiled nature as this thread gives a small glimpse of.

What makes this even more great is that the mighty Rub' al-Khali desert is part of the route. I am not sure if such a big race (certainly not such a world famous one) has ever raced in the Rub' al-Khali.

 

[Wilhelm II]

My dream , but need big sponsor ... all time favorite rally car ..

Yyyyyeeeeaaaa lancia I love it
What is better than Italian cars

 

[Saddam Hussein]

@alwatan have u tried rally

 

[ArabianEmpires&Caliphates]

@alwatan have u tried rally

Not yet. Would love to try it though especially such a race like Dakar Rally. Off-road driving/racing yes but it is not really comparable at all.

Take an almost 45 year old Lancia Stratos with a Ferrari V6 motor designed for rally races and it is not really comparable with say your average Range Rover.

There are actually quite a few races (held for quite a long time) in KSA such as the Ha'il Rally and others. As well as other regional ones in Jordan, Egypt, GCC etc. Iraq could join this one day and probably will. Here ideal areas would be the South, Anbar and Salah ad-Din and Ninawa.

Although this Dakar Rally 2020 version in KSA also will be held in plenty of mountainous areas and hilly ones (most of KSA is actually that) as can be seen by the route and my photos in post 2 or 3, rallies are not really ideal in mountainous terrain which explains why most of Hijaz and the South has been excluded with the exception of eastern Asir region.

BTW personally I enjoy every kind of activity where you are outdoors in the nature and preferably the more "wild" and "unspoiled" the better no matter what terrain. Desert, mountains, hills, lowland, coastline, volcanic area, steppe etc. So horse racing in the wild, falconry, walking (exploring), mountaineering, diving or something as simple as picnic outdoors is great IMO.

In Europe you hardly can find such wild areas due to the big population density. Take Netherlands and Denmark. Hardly any real wild areas let alone areas where you cannot encounter a single human for 100's of km (potentially) like in KSA if you are lucky. Better in countries like Spain where there many wild areas with mountains and actually even deserts (Tabernas and near Zaragoza as well as areas not far from Madrid).

Ha'il Rally from earlier this winter:

I have tried something more like this just without all the people (lol) and in more challenging terrain.

More insane stunts and off-road racing.

These rallies usually hold in African countries.

What are you blabbering about? The Dakar Rally crossed European, Arab and African countries. For the past 10 years it has been held in South America due to insecurity in the Sahel region.

Now the world's largest and most prestigious rally race will be held in beautiful KSA for the next 5 years. The first time in Asia and the Middle East. Great news.

 

[Aramagedon]

Not yet. Would love to try it though especially such a race like Dakar Rally. Off-road driving/racing yes but it is not really comparable at all.

Take an almost 45 year old Lancia Stratos with a Ferrari V6 motor designed for rally races and it is not really comparable with say your average Range Rover.

There are actually quite a few races (held for quite a long time) in KSA such as the Ha'il Rally and others. As well as other regional ones in Jordan, Egypt, GCC etc. Iraq could join this one day and probably will. Here ideal areas would be the South, Anbar and Salah ad-Din and Ninawa.

Although this Dakar Rally 2020 version in KSA also will be held in plenty of mountainous areas and hilly ones (most of KSA is actually that) as can be seen by the route and my photos in post 2 or 3, rallies are not really ideal in mountainous terrain which explains why most of Hijaz and the South has been excluded with the exception of eastern Asir region.

BTW personally I enjoy every kind of activity where you are outdoors in the nature and preferably the more "wild" and "unspoiled" the better no matter what terrain. Desert, mountains, hills, lowland, coastline, volcanic area, steppe etc. So horse racing in the wild, falconry, walking (exploring), mountaineering, diving or something as simple as picnic outdoors is great IMO.

In Europe you hardly can find such wild areas due to the big population density. Take Netherlands and Denmark. Hardly any real wild areas let alone areas where you cannot encounter a single human for 100's of km (potentially) like in KSA if you are lucky. Better in countries like Spain where there many wild areas with mountains and actually even deserts (Tabernas and near Zaragoza as well as areas not far from Madrid).

Ha'il Rally from earlier this winter:

I have tried something more like this just without all the people (lol) and in more challenging terrain.

More insane stunts and off-road racing.

What are you blabbering about? The Dakar Rally crossed European, Arab and African countries. For the past 10 years it has been held in South America due to insecurity in the Sahel region.

Now the world's largest and most prestigious rally race will be held in beautiful KSA for the next 5 years. The first time in Asia and the Middle East. Great news.

Why you attack for every comment. I'm not sure your country will be stable in 2020. Anyway good for you.

 

[ArabianEmpires&Caliphates]

Why you attack for every comment. I'm not sure your country will be stable in 2020. Anyway good for you.

Because you are trolling in every single KSA and Arab-related topic on PDF and as many Iranian users here you are obsessed about events in Arab countries. There was no attack.

More trolling. KSA has been the most save regional country along with other GCC countries and continues to be. Do not derail this thread with trolling.

 

[ArabianEmpires&Caliphates]

Yyyyyeeeeaaaa lancia I love it
What is better than Italian cars

Yes, but only a few specific luxury brands. Overall I would say that the Germans make the best cars. I am very content with my BMW M 6 Gran Coupé (F06) as an example.

THE DAKAR 2020 OPENS A NEW CHAPTER IN SAUDI ARABIA

29.05.2019

After 30 years of discovering the beauty of Africa and a decade of adventure exploring the spectacular landscape of South America, a new chapter in the history of Dakar will be written as the world’s biggest rally makes its Middle East debut in Saudi Arabia.

The mega event offers drivers more than just a journey. The rally will be an opportunity for those who dare to test themselves in an unknown landscape and an uncharted terrain, setting the scene for the optimum stage to prove their driving skills, navigational prowess and knack for a challenge.

His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki AlFaisal Al Saud, Chairman of the Saudi Arabia General Sports Authority.

“The vision and guidance of our leaders have made our dreams and ambitions limitless and have set the sports scene in the Kingdom on a remarkable success route. Today we are thrilled to announce that Rally Dakar, an event with a huge global appeal is coming to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Middle East for the first time. Our country is extremely passionate about sport and our strategic goal is to feed that appetite as we move further towards achieving Vision 2030, of which sport is a basic pillar.

In hosting Dakar Rally we aim to produce an unbelievable and unforgettable experience for drivers as they discover the beauty of Saudi nature and a unique spectacle for motorsport fans not only in Saudi Arabia but also in the region and around the world.”

David Castera, Director of the Dakar.

“Looking back at my first memories of the Dakar and my first experiences as a competitor, I’ve always considered that this rally like no other carried a concept of discovery, a voyage into the unknown. By going to Saudi Arabia, it is of course that aspect that fascinates me. I’m convinced that such a feeling will be shared by all the riders, drivers and copilots. As the director of the event, it’s a massive chalenge to be faced with a blank page with limitless possibilities.

I’m already inspired and delighted to have to design a course in such a monumental geography, made for the most audacious itineraries. We are spoilt for choice. Sports, navigation, a will to surpass oneself: all these aspects will naturally be glorified on this territory made for rally-raids.”

Anastasia Nifontova. First Female finisher in Original by Motul category 2018

“I think it’s a really good thing. The Dakar needed some “fresh air” and moving to a new region will bring more positive things. My first thoughts were that it’ll make the logistics a lot easier for Asian and European competitors Secondly, Saudi Arabia is a beautiful country (as I could judge by pictures and movies) and it’s great that they decided to be more open for the world.”

https://www.motul.com/us/en-US/news/events-racing/the-dakar-2020-opens-a-new-chapter-in-saudi-arabia

 

[HAIDER]

I can sponsor you, lol. Just kidding.

Lancia Stratos with a Ferrari V6 motor.



Good stuff.

KSA is the perfect country for rally and off-road racing due to its amazing landscapes, nature, diversity and unspoiled nature as this thread gives a small glimpse of.

What makes this even more great is that the mighty Rub' al-Khali desert is part of the route. I am not sure if such a big race (certainly not such a world famous one) has ever raced in the Rub' al-Khali.

I know you can do it ,,, don't give me bs ............. lol . But , it will be fun and lethal rally. lots of lots of navigation skill required for driver. Drivers must be on the ground and testing and checking rally regulations. Mostly should be off road. Suadi part will be totally new for drivers.

 

[ArabianEmpires&Caliphates]

I know you can do it ,,, don't give me bs ............. lol . But , it will be fun and lethal rally. lots of lots of navigation skill required for driver. Drivers must be on the ground and testing and checking rally regulations. Mostly should be off road. Suadi part will be totally new for drivers.

It will be great. Will try to catch it live if possible and my schedule permits me. It is a big deal that such a world-renowned sporting event reaches KSA. Especially compared to those idiotic WWE events. We are after all talking about the largest rally in the world and arguably the longest race in the world and largest. Vast, vast majority of races do not have such long duration. It is 24/7 (practically) for almost 2 weeks in incredibly challenging terrain. With many potential hazards as well.

BTW the reigning cars winner champion is Qatari. Won the race 3 times.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019_Dakar_Rally

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nasser_Al-Attiyah

He is also a bronze Olympic medalist (2012) in skeet shooting so a talented sportsman.

BTW KSA hosted an international golf tournament as well a while ago in Hijaz. The top golfers of the world praised the golf courses and nature but sadly few locals watched it due to golf not being a big sport in KSA, lol.

Cool stuff all initiated by the great MbS.