The Sharqiyah International Baja Toyota starts with a 10km qualifying stage in the Half Moon Bay area of the Eastern Province from 15.32hrs on Thursday.
Round three of the 2021 FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Bajas, hosted by the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation (SAMF), has a 17-car FIA entry from 13 nations, plus 44 4×4 vehicles, one truck, 25 motorcycles and 10 quads in a National Rally.
Al-Rajhi the favourite
Yazeed Al-Rajhi starts as favourite for a second win on the event in his Toyota Hilux and begins the defence of his Saudi Toyota Desert Rally Championship title. The Riyadh driver also hopes to pull clear of absent Vladimir Vasilyev early in the FIA World Cup Baja Drivers’ Championship.
I am excited to take on this challenge again. We won in Dubai and are looking forward to our second home. In fact, we had a fierce competition in 2019 with Carlos Sainz and that’s what we will miss this year. But I am sure we will repeat it again in the future.
Yazeed Al-Rajhi
We won the Sharqiyah Rally and the championship title in 2019, when it was held as the final round of the first edition of the Saudi Toyota Desert Rally Championship. It was an interesting competition and I will definitely defend my title for the local championship along with the international challenge for the FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Bajas.
Yazeed Al-Rajhi
Al-Rajhi, speaking at rally headquarters at Modon Lake Park in Dammam Industrial City, faces Toyota team-mate Erik van Loon of the Netherlands, local rival Yasir Seaidan in a German-built Mini John Cooper Works Rally and experienced Czech Miroslav Zapletal in his Ford F-150 Evo.
History for Dania Akeel
Young Dania Akeel becomes the first Saudi woman to drive in an FIA-sanctioned rally, partnering French co-driver Laurent Lichtleuchter in a SHERO Rally Team by Duust Can-Am Maverick X3 in FIA T3.
I am extremely excited to race in the upcoming Sharqiyah Baja. It is both a privilege and an honour to have the chance to do this in my home country. I am thankful to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, under the leadership of His Royal Highness King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, for facilitating these opportunities and offering the chance for me to grow and develop.
Dania Akeel
This will be my first participation in a cross-country event. I would like to use my first experience to improve and sharpen my driving skills on the adventurous terrain of the Eastern Province. I have the support of my co-driver Laurent Lichtleuchter, who will contribute his talent and expertise in navigating. I pray for us to be successful in achieving a positive result. My goal is to complete the rally within a timeframe that indicates a promising future for my participation in upcoming cross-country events, both at home and abroad.
Dania Akeel
The event is supervised by H.R.H. Prince Khalid bin Sultan Al-Abdullah Al-Faisal, SAMF President and Chairman of the Organising Committee, with partner Abdul Latif Jameel Toyota and diamond sponsors MBC Group and Al-Arabiya outdoor advertising. Toyota is the official car, and Modon provides logistical support.
Thursday’s qualifying stage sets the start order for Friday morning’s first selective section through the Eastern Province deserts.