"I am really happy with the way the stage went today," said Al-Rajhi. "The strategy is working well and I managed to pull out a good lead. I am extra determined to win the event for the third time. After the rally in Sweden recently, I feel more confident in what I am doing and the Hail Rally seems easier than I remember last year. The new stages are not as difficult but I know there is one more long stage to go on Friday."

The Mini All4 Racing driver was shadowed through the stage by Frenchman Thierry Magnaldi and his Spanish co-driver Lucas Cruz Senra in a Bakhashab-run Toyota FJ Cruiser Proto. They held a troublefree second overall on their first appearance in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Abdullah Saeed Bin Hamden held third for long periods in a Nissan Patrol with navigator Ali Hassan, but they were overtaken near the end by Mtair and Abdullah Al-Shammeri, who now hold third place in a Toyota. The UAE's Yayha Al-Helai and Khaled Al-Kendi started well in their Nissan Patrol and held fourth overall at the end of the stage, but Bin Hamden also slipped behind Safah Al-Saeedi and Ahmed Al-Shaqawi into seventh overall.

Dubai-based Briton David Mabbs was forced out when he blew two cylinders in his engine just four kilometers into the stage and there was misery for Ahmed Al-Qashimi, who was suffering from the effects of dehydration and withdrew from the event.

The rally is   organized by the Saudi Arabian Motor Federation (SAMF) under the presidency of Prince Sultan bin Bandar Al-Faisal and the patronage of Hail Gov. Prince Saud bin Abdul Mohsen, president of the Supreme Commission for Hail Development and head of the Supreme Commission of the Hail Rally.

Magnaldi expressed his happiness over completing the first phase, maintaining his position. "I was following some tactics that we planned along the Toyota Rally team and I was able to complete a major portion of the plan despite the finding of a hole in a front tire of my car and I finished second," Magnaldi said and expressed his hope to win first place. "I will work hard to accomplish the ambition of Toyata Rally Team," he said.

Ahmed Al-Shaqawi, a Saudi, was overjoyed by completing the first phase on his Nissan Patrol car without any major problems. "Reaching the second phase without any technical faults is a major achievement as our car is taking part in the rally for the first time. We aim to achieve front positions in future rallies." He said his team had performed well in the first phase despite difficulties.

Today teams tackle a shorter second desert stage through the An Nafud. A 25.59km liaison guides the remaining cars to the start of the 148.71km test at As Sufun. A final 51.71km road section then takes surviving crews back to Hail for the ceremonial finish at 5:45 p.m.

Positions after stage one - Thursday (unofficial @ 15.32hrs):

1. Yazeed Al-Rajhi (KSA)/Filipe Palmeiro (POR) Mini All4 Racing                       3h 50m 03.5s

2. Thierry Magnaldi (FRA)/Lucas Cruz Senra (ESP) Toyota FJ Cruiser Proto       4h 06m 23.6s

3. Mtair Al-Shammeri (KSA)/Abdullah Al-Shammeri (KSA) Toyota                     4h 20m 01.6s

4. Yayha Al-Helai (UAE)/Khaled Al-Kendi (UAE) Nissan Patrol                           4h 34m 22.7s

5. Safah Al-Saeedi (KSA)/Mishaal Al-Saeedi (KSA) Nissan                                4h 35m 02.7s

6. Ahmed Al-Shaqawi (KSA)/Nooh Buhumaid (UAE) Nissan                             4h 39m 24.8s

7. Abdullah Saeed Bin Hamdan (UAE)/Ali Hassan (UAE) Nissan Patrol               4h 44m 04.5s

8. Metab Saud Al-Shammeri (KSA)/Qnoun Abdullah (KSA) Toyota                    4h 57m 43.6s

9. Ibrahim Al-Muhana (KSA)/Ahmed Mustafa Bader (EGY) Nissan                    4h 59m 22.8s

10. Farhan Al-Galeb Al-Shammeri (KSA)/Abdullah Al-Tawaian (KSA) Nissan       5h 00m 40.9s