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  • More than 70 teams from around the world sign up for this year’s rally
  • Returning champions amongst teams participating in 2023 edition
  • Rally an open invitation for adventurous women to take their competitive spirit on a thrilling experience

Jeddah (Saudi Arabia):
The second edition of Rally Jameel, the region’s first-ever women’s only navigational rally, receives applications from over 70 teams from around the world – more than double the previous year.

Registrations opened for the second edition earlier last month. Participants from more than 16 nationalities have applied to compete in this year’s adventure which is set to take place from March 7th – 11th, 2023. The women’s only rally attracts participation from around the world, including USA, UK, Spain, Poland, Germany, Australia, Sweden, Italy, France, Syria, Oman, Morocco, Egypt, Jordan, and Algeria. The list of countries participating cements the rally’s international status.

This year’s rally will also see the return of its first champions including Swedish professional rally driver and 1st place winner Annie Seel, Eleanor Coker from the USA and Saudi’s own Maha Al-Hamali, who came in 3rd despite it being her first time competing in a rally.

“We are proud, and very much delighted to see that the number of women who registered during the first 10 days doubled this year. This is a testament of the rally’s appeal and the hunger women around the world have for competitive sports that require finesse and skill” said Munir Khoja, Managing Director, Marketing Communications at Abdul Latif Jameel Motors. “With 4 days remaining, we invite all women who have a passion for adventure, are great drivers and willing to challenge themselves – to submit their application as soon as possible. Spaces are limited, interest is high, and the experience is one of a kind.”

 

This year’s route has been extended to 1,600 km, passing through some of the Kingdom’s most diverse and breathtaking terrains. The route of the rally will start in Saudi Arabia’s most acclaimed landmark ALULA. Teams will drive through a striking course on their way to Hail, ending the 3-day ride in AlQassim. A journey that traverses through the Kingdom’s untouched, barely discovered, and stunning areas by all measures.

Annie Seel, winner of the previous edition of Rally Jameel said “Last year I did not know what to expect as it was my first time participating in a rally that challenged my navigational and precision driving skills. Winning was not easy even though I’m an experienced rally driver, which is why I’m back this year. I look forward to re-joining the rally’s all-woman spirit.”

Building on the success of its inaugural edition in 2022, this women’s only rally is underpinned by the Kingdom’s Vision 2030; the diversification program to empower women and the quality of life program by integrating sports into the lives of people in the Kingdom.

Maha Al-Hamali, 3rd place winner of the previous edition of Rally Jameel commented “I’m very excited to participate yet again in this Rally. Last year, I competed professionally for the first time and took third place. I could not believe it! My participation in Rally Jameel gave me the chance to discover my passion for motorsports and helped me break into the world of rally driving. I look forward to raising the Saudi flag once again! For any woman who is thinking twice about taking part in this rally, if you are an adept driver, take that step. By the end of the rally, you’ll feel like a different person.”

Rally Jameel, which is initiated by Abdul Latif Jameel Motors and Bakhashab Motorsports, is the latest world-class motorsport event to be hosted in Saudi Arabia as it is sanctioned by the Saudi Automobile & Motorcycle Federation (SAMF) and supported by the FIA, through their Women in Motorsport (WIMC) program.

LIMITED SPACES LEFT AS WOMEN SIGN UP TO RALLY JAMEEL, SAUDI ARABIA’S FIRST-EVER WOMEN-ONLY MOTORSPORT EVENT

 

JEDDAH (SAUDI ARABIA):
Time is running out for women looking to take part in Saudi Arabia’s inaugural Rally Jameel, which is being held from March 16th to 19th. Spaces are already limited as this historic, women-only navigational rally draws ever closer, with the entries set to close on March 1st.

Rally Jameel, which is initiated by Abdul Latif Jameel Motors and Bakhashab Motorsports, is the latest world-class motorsport event to be hosted in Saudi Arabia as it is sanctioned by the Saudi Automobile & Motorcycle Federation (SAMF) and supported by the FIA, through their Women in Motorsport (WIMC) program.

(HRH Prince Khalid bin Sultan Al-Abdullah Al-Faisal & the driver, Dania Akeel)

The rally is a perfect opportunity for adventurous women looking to take part in their first ever off-road rally. The event is not designed as a speed test, rather it is about using navigational skills to traverse a route, which will cover between 300 and 500km per day. Each day’s route will only be issued the night before, with everyone taking part seeing it at the same time.

“We have been really delighted with the response from women around the region and beyond, with over half of the places already filled,” commented Abdullah Bakhashab, rally director. “But I also know there will be potential racers out there who want to take part, but haven’t signed up yet. We urge them to submit their application as soon as possible, as there are only a limited number of spaces left.”

The rally, which has already attracted widespread interest, is open to national and international entrants aged over 18 and holding a driving license accepted in Saudi Arabia. Each team will consist of two female racers. No special equipment is needed, as the cars are required to be totally unmodified. The only pre-requisite is that the car must be a 4×4 or AWD.

(Rally Director, Abdullah Bakhashab and drivers Dania Akeel and Samar Rahbini)

Teams wanting to participate can simply go to the rally website – www.rallyjameel.com – and fill in the application form. Successful applicants will receive a weekend training course and three days of competition, as well as accommodation in 5-star hotels, a comfortable, secure camp, food and beverages, a finishing ceremony, and tickets to the gala dinner.

The uniquely designed route will pass through some of the Kingdom’s most spectacular scenery. It will start in the north-central city of Hail, passing through Al-Qassim city and then heading to the capital, Riyadh, via hidden checkpoints and challenges. Further details of the rally schedule will be announced on International Women’s Day on March 8th.

Naturally, safety is paramount at the rally. A state-of-the-art Tracking System will be mounted on each competing vehicle with SOS buttons for any emergency, while a helicopter medic and maintenance teams will be on standby at all times. All competing cars will be pre-checked to ensure they adhere to the highest standards.

Munir Khoja, ‏Managing Director Marketing Communication at Abdul Latif Jameel Motors, commented: “Abdul Latif Jameel Motors is extremely proud to be backing this great initiative, designed to further empower women in the Kingdom. We are committed to ensuring this becomes a firm fixture on the global motorsport calendar, offering women from a range of different nationalities, backgrounds and experiences the chance to take part in a uniquely exciting event.”

With Saudi Arabia now hosting an FIA Formula One race, as well as the famous Dakar Rally, which featured Saudi female racers, Dania Akeel and Mashael Al-Obaidan, there is a growing interest in motor-related sports, especially off-road racing and rallying.