JEDDAH: Organizers of the Hail Saudi Baja said yesterday that “generous concessions” are still on offer for overseas participants of the upcoming event in Hail. The finishing touches are being given to the event that is set from Jan. 26-29.
Non-Saudi teams are being offered $2,500 and accommodation if they wish to take part in the Hail Baja, for which entries are now officially open, Neil Perkins, 2009 Hail Saudi Baja International press officer, NDP Publicity Services, told Arab News in a communication.
Russia’s leading Baja cross-country driver Boris Gadasin, one of the key contestants, is hoping to kick-off his new season of FIA rallying with a win, Perkins added. Gadasin finished second overall behind eventual World Champion Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah in 2008 and is determined to go one better when competitive action gets under way in the north-central region of the Kingdom.
The Saudi Arabian Motor Federation is organizing the event under the patronage of Prince Saud bin Abdul Mohsen bin Abdul Aziz, governor of Hail, president of the Supreme Commission for Hail Development and the head of the Supreme Commission of the Hail Rally. Gadasin was co-driven to second overall in an Overdrive Racing Nissan Navara Pick-Up by Alexander Mironenko in 2008, but may well use another co-driver on this occasion, although his powerful V6-engined Nissan is ideally suited to the Saudi desert terrain and he could be a major force for success next month. Gadasin is also the president of the Land Rovers’ Club of Saint Petersburg and is one of the key individuals behind promoting Baja-type rallying in his native Russia. The Northern Forest Rally will duly take its place as the second round of the 2009 Baja series at the end of February and Russian event officials are expected to attend the Hail event for a second successive season.
In addition to taking part in numerous off-road events in Russia and being a regular competitor in the FIA Baja series, Gadasin has also organized the Tosno Trophy and was part of the Russian Auto Sports Team, which fielded five Land Rovers in the Russian 4x4 Championship.
“We are delighted to welcome Boris and his team to Hail for a second time,” said Mishaal Al-Sudairy, Riyadh-based chairman of the organizing committee. “He enjoyed his rallying in our deserts in 2008 and could well be one of the favorites to win the event this time.”
The ceremonial start and official Prologue will take place on Jan. 27 and the main action will take place over two legs in the Nafud desert on Jan. 28 and 29, with the ceremonial prize giving event.
