46 teams compete in a race that covers a total distance of 1,300 kilometers during the rally’s four phases.

The first phase of the Hail Nissan International Rally was flagged off at Mashar valley in the north-western Saudi city of Hail on Monday, with a total of 46 teams competing in the four-day race. It covers 3.78 kilometers of the total 1,300-kilometer race, organized by the Saudi Arabian Motor Federation (SAMF) and overseen by International Automobile Federation.

The rally, first held in 2006, is one of the most important events on the calendar of the International Sports Events held in Saudi Arabia and attracts thousands of local and international spectators. However, the event entered the international motor-sporting calendar for the first time in 2007, after previously running as a club event.

The contestants include 81 Saudi drivers and navigators, five Emirati co-drivers, a Russian, an Omani and an Egyptian navigator, and three Kuwaiti drivers and co-drivers.

Nissan dominates the entry list with 25 contestants driving the Japanese vehicles.

Saudi drivers, Faris Khalaf Al-Mashna, who was last year’s winner, and Saud Nasser Al-Tamimi, will drive Nissan Patrols. Al-Mashna will join Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah and Yazeed Al-Rajhi as multiple winners of the event in the car category.

Many cultural and social events are being held as well that will continue for nine days.

For any queries, please contact:
The Center for International Communication, Ministry of Culture and Information, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia;

Tel: +966 59 545 5467
Email: cic@moci.gov.sa
Twitter: CICSaudi