RIYADH — Ha'il International Cross-Country Rally organizers have completed the route reconnaissance and detailed road book for the 10th event, which will take place across the north-central region of the Kingdom between March 19-22.
A party of senior Saudi Arabian Motor Federation (SAMF) Officials, including Ahmed Mutabaghani, Elie Semaan and László Polgár, has just returned from another visit to the region to finalize the route and precise timetable of the four-day event that will test car, motorcycle and quad entrants to the maximum.
The FIA-sanctioned event is being staged 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.
The SAMF runs under the chairmanship of Prince Sultan Bin Bandar Al-Faisal and the event is being organized in conjunction with the High Authority for the Development of Ha'il.
“The team has worked hard and now completed the route and the stages,” said Nayef Al-Hejelan, general secretary of the SAMF. “We have approximately 795km of competition in a total route of around 1,335km. “The first of the three longer stages will run for 195km and this will be completely through sand dunes. The scenery and the terrain are quite stunning.
“The second stage is a very varied one of about 308km. It has fast sections, some technical areas and a distance of sand dunes. This also passes through some beautiful mountainous scenery. The third stage runs for approximately 295km and again offers sand dunes and a lot of more undulating terrain.”
The Saudi Arabian Motor Federation has also finalized an attractive assistance package for overseas entrants. Foreign competitors from outside the GCC area will be offered free accommodation for up to five people, free entry to the rally and $5,000 towards shipping and transportation of their race equipment.
Further information is available from the Saudi Arabian Motor Federation, PO Box 87881, Riyadh 11652, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Tel: + 9661 288 5855, Fax: + 9661 288 3882, E-mail: [email protected]. Visit the websites: http://www.samf.gov.sa and http://www.hailrally.com.sa/ar/.
