The Saudi Arabian Motor Federation (SAMF) has now finalized the dates and route format and will run the FIA-sanctioned Ha'il Desert Challenge in the north-central region of the Kingdom from March 20-23. The event is not a round of the FIA World Cup this season, but Saudi officials in Riyadh are confident of attracting a top class international entry nonetheless to tackle two days of competition over some of the most difficult and spectacular desert terrain to be found anywhere in the world. The event will run under the patronage of Prince Saud Bin Abdul Mohsen Bin Abdul Aziz, Governor of Ha'il, President of the Supreme Commission for Ha'il Development and the Head of the Supreme Commission of the Ha'il Rally and the presidency of Prince Sultan Bin Bandar Al-Faisal. The organisers are finalizing the assistance package and prize funds for entrants and have now confirmed the basic timetable. Administration and scrutineering will take place on March 20 at the Maghwat Conference Center on the outskirts of Ha'il. Teams will then tackle a timed super special stage on March 21 and the two days of action through the An Nafud desert. Clerk of the course Elie Semaan has also finalized a revised and challenging route for Saudi Arabia's premier off-road event. “We finished the route and the stages last week,” enthused Semaan. “We will have one six-kilometer super special stage, a first leg of 260km and the second leg of 150km. Leg one will take place entirely in the sand dunes and the first 160km will be very challenging in the high dunes. The route will pass through small oasis farms and a very scenic area until we reach Alolaym mountain. Then the final 100km is on winding and testing tracks, all on sand.” Semaan admits that the second leg will take place on more varied terrain. “The first 50km will venture across hard surfaces and passes between picturesque mountains and through wadis. The last 100km climb through some more high dunes and cross some desert tracks to the finish in the village of Qna.” Entries are now open and further information is available from the Saudi Arabian Motor Federation.
