Munnings, Hansen of Andretti Altawkilat Extreme E team set for season opener in NEOM

Munnings, Hansen of Andretti Altawkilat Extreme E team set for season opener in NEOM
Above, Catie Munnings and Timmy Hansen of Andretti Altawkilat Extreme E team. (Supplied)
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Updated 07 March 2023

Munnings, Hansen of Andretti Altawkilat Extreme E team set for season opener in NEOM

Munnings, Hansen of Andretti Altawkilat Extreme E team set for season opener in NEOM
  • 3rd season of all-electric series kicks off in Saudi desert at weekend
  • All-electric racing team has expanded partnership with Saudi sponsor Altawkilat

JEDDAH: Catie Munnings and Timmy Hansen of Andretti Altawkilat Extreme E team have landed in Jeddah and are looking forward to an improved performance this year as season three of the all-electric rally championship takes place in NEOM on March 11 and 12.

The pair joined the team’s new Saudi sponsor Altawkilat in Jeddah for a press conference to unveil the partnership with local and international media, as well as motorsport fans in Saudi Arabia, in attendance.

On their third consecutive season of the off-road electric racing series, British driver Munnings said: “This year’s edition has a new track and we are heading to NEOM to test it, especially as it is located on the beach.

“However, we have worked hard during the winter in preparation for this year’s championship.

“The team is excited for a new race and for the chance to prove our pace out on the new track,” she added.

Her Swedish co-driver Hansen was also excited for the new season. He said: “We learned from our participation last year and feel great to be back here in Saudi Arabia for a new round. The whole team is hoping to start the season with a good result.”

The cooperation between Altawkilat and Andretti team is an expanded partnership that goes back to the first season, which kicked off in 2021.

Altawkilat chief executive officer, Mohammed Abduljawad, said: “It reflects the goals of Extreme E championship to form a global Saudi alliance committed to raising awareness and positive action to protect the future of our planet.

“We are privileged to be associated with the team starting season three and hope to play an active role in bringing awareness for the use of alternate energy sources to reduce air pollution and the need to protect the planet from the effects of global warming,” he added.

Traditionally, the Extreme E Championship would have one main race per weekend as it travels the globe raising awareness of how climate change is affecting different remote locations.

By adding an extra race at every weekend, the series can double the on-track action without any significant impact on its carbon footprint.


FIA president Ben Sulayem meets with Prince Albert II ahead of Monaco Grand Prix

FIA president Ben Sulayem meets with Prince Albert II ahead of Monaco Grand Prix
Updated 26 May 2023

FIA president Ben Sulayem meets with Prince Albert II ahead of Monaco Grand Prix

FIA president Ben Sulayem meets with Prince Albert II ahead of Monaco Grand Prix
  • Meeting focused on the federation’s sporting activities, sustainability issues and online abuse campaigns

MONACO: FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has held discussions with Prince Albert II of Monaco on the development of the sport, and to explore collaboration on various environmental and health campaigns.

The recent meeting, ahead of this weekend’s Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix, focused on sustainability efforts and the FIA’s Online Abuse campaign.

During the meeting, Ben Sulayem said he recognized Monaco and the Automobile Club de Monaco’s special place in the FIA, and thanked Prince Albert for his continued support of all FIA disciplines, including the level of Monegasque volunteers involved in motorsport.

On the events front, the FIA president highlighted the importance of preserving historic motorsports events on the organization’s calendar, including Formula 1, Formula E and the World Rally Championship, all of which take place in Monaco, and underlined a growing need for such events to expand to all continents.

“I was honored to meet with His Serene Highness Albert II, Sovereign Prince of Monaco, for engaging discussions on a range of topics including the heritage and prestige of the Monaco Grand Prix. We also talked about the invaluable contribution of volunteers to motorsport and the FIA’s Online Abuse Campaign,” said Ben Sulayem.

The meeting also focused on Prince Albert’s “Peace and Sport” initiative, to tackle rising threats of online harassment and abuse. The FIA president said the FIA was seeking solutions to this problem in collaboration with key stakeholders, including other international sports federations, the EU, academic institutions, and national governments.


Ethara CEO Saif Al-Noaimi claims new events firm will deliver ‘unrivalled experiences’

Ethara CEO Saif Al-Noaimi claims new events firm will deliver ‘unrivalled experiences’
Saif Al-Noaimi, CEO of Ethara. (Ethara)
Updated 26 May 2023

Ethara CEO Saif Al-Noaimi claims new events firm will deliver ‘unrivalled experiences’

Ethara CEO Saif Al-Noaimi claims new events firm will deliver ‘unrivalled experiences’
  • Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix organizers ADMM, Flash Entertainment have merged to form company
  • Entertainment, events organization also has offices in Dubai, Riyadh

Saif Al-Noaimi is always on the move, as befits someone who oversees the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

“I check everything out, over the weekend, and before the weekend,” the chief executive officer of the newly formed events company Ethara, told Arab News.

“It’s part of our quality assurance and control to make sure that all of our products meet our standards and our expectations.”

The F1 season-closing race may be six months away, but already demand for tickets is hot, and, at an event held at the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Al-Noaimi has announced several new venues and the identity of three of the post-race performers.

He said: “The demand is unprecedented. We went on sale in February, and within weeks, we were pretty much sold out of the majority of our products.

“And we worked really hard over the last few months to make sure that we don’t disappoint people that are late to buy and have missed out on that, on what was on sale back in February.”

Ethara is the result of a merger between Abu Dhabi Motorsports Management, and Flash Entertainment. In the past, both firms have been involved in putting on some of the UAE’s biggest sporting and entertainment events.

Al-Noaimi pointed out that “integration” was the name of the game.

“Ethara means excitement, and that’s what we’re all about, we’re about delivering events and managing venues, and making moments that matter. That’s our focus.

“So Ethara brings in 300 event and venue specialists under one structure and one umbrella and creates a capability that’s unrivalled in the region.

“If you look at the portfolio of what the team in Ethara has delivered over the 15 years in both ADMM and Flash Entertainment, we’ve delivered over 700 major events. We’ve had over 16 million attendees to these events over the last 15 years.

“And these are large global events, the likes of the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the Mubadala World Tennis Championship, FIFA Club World Cup, Asian Football Championship, UFC Fight Island in Abu Dhabi, NBA games in Abu Dhabi, and among those, other national celebrations and festivals.

“So, the capability that this team has, the experience, the expertise doesn’t exist (anywhere else), and creating this company Ethara brings all of that capability in-house, creates experiences, creates the ability to deliver to our guests and to our clients unrivalled experiences,” he added.

In terms of facilities, Ethara will oversee events taking place at what Al-Noaimi described as “four iconic venues.”

He said: “Yas Marina Circuit being the iconic Formula One venue, Etihad Arena, the largest indoor multipurpose arena. Etihad Park, the largest outdoor dedicated venue for concerts, and Yas Conference Center, a multifunction venue.

“So, bringing all these capabilities under one organization gives us an amazing ability and we’re really excited to see what comes out of this.”

Ethara will also continue to expand operations beyond the UAE capital, and already has established offices in Dubai and Riyadh.

“Both are very interesting markets for us. Obviously, Dubai is right next door to us. And the kingdom is a growing market for events. What’s happened there in the last few years is unbelievable and very exciting. We want to be part of that growth in that journey,” Al-Noaimi added.

One of the biggest draws to Abu Dhabi in recent years has been UFC, and the world’s biggest mixed martial arts organization will be back in Abu Dhabi on Oct. 21. UFC 294 at Yas Island will part of a long-term deal launched in 2019 between the UAE capital and the organizers.

Al-Noaimi said it was a partnership that would continue to grow.

“I think Abu Dhabi, and Yas Island specifically, has demonstrated its commitment to UFC and throughout the last three years delivered on the capability, starting with FI during the coronavirus pandemic.

“As you know, one of the first and biggest events to take place was UFC Fight Island on Yas Island. There’s a fantastic partnership that exists and we’re looking to continue and grow that,” he added.

The first ever NBA Abu Dhabi Games, which took place last year between Atlanta Hawks and Milwaukee Bucks at Etihad Arena, will also return in October, this time between the Dallas Mavericks and Minnesota Timberwolves.

But it is the announcement of the post-race music concerts that has got fans excited for the 2023 edition of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Alongside US singer Ava Max and Dutch DJ Tiesto on Thursday, Nov. 23, the post-race Sunday headlining act at Etihad Park is set to be American rock band the Foo Fighters, who had been due to play Abu Dhabi in 2021 but had to pull out at a late stage.

Now they are coming back to the city and Al-Noaimi said it had not been a difficult decision for all concerned.

“They wanted to come back. They wanted to deliver the promise to their fans, because a lot of people were very excited in 2021. And yet because of unforeseen circumstances they were unable to make it to the Grand Prix. We’re really excited to have them back,” he added.

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix remains the jewel in Ethara’s crown, and the viewer experience is set to be enhanced again this year.

Al-Noaimi said: “We worked really hard to create new and unique experiences, completely different perspectives of the race, areas that we’ve never done.”

For example, new areas would be created at turn two offering “fantastic new views and great new experiences.”

The additions will allow racegoers to watch the action from new locations, including a VIP perspective at Turn 2 and Deck at Two, featuring global culinary brands, Hakkasan, Nobu, and Milos.

“And at hillside terrace, we have The Main, another unique restaurant. So, these are experiences you can only get at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.”

Also on sale are tickets to the new West Straight Grandstand, which will allow fans to follow the action at the end of the longest straight at Yas Marina Circuit between turns six and seven.

On the expected attendance, Al-Noaimi said: “It’s going to be a record number. Last year was a record number for us. So, this year, we’re doing everything we did last year, plus the additions.

“I’d say we’re growing by about 5,000 more daily attendees than we had last year.”


Al-Rajhi claims victory, Al-Saif takes 2nd in Tabuk-NEOM Rally

Al-Rajhi claims victory, Al-Saif takes 2nd in Tabuk-NEOM Rally
Updated 20 May 2023

Al-Rajhi claims victory, Al-Saif takes 2nd in Tabuk-NEOM Rally

Al-Rajhi claims victory, Al-Saif takes 2nd in Tabuk-NEOM Rally
  • Mohammed Al-Balooshi, Hani Al-Noumesi win bike and quad categories, respectively

TABUK, Saudi Arabia: Yazeed Al-Rajhi teamed up with German co-driver Timo Gottschalk to get the defense of his Saudi Toyota Rally Championship title underway with a comfortable victory at the new Tabuk-NEOM Rally in northern Saudi Arabia on Saturday.

The Overdrive Racing Toyota Hilux driver began the second 136 km desert selective section with a lead of 19 minutes, 28 seconds, and was able to extend that to a winning margin of 34 minutes, 43 seconds. After missing the opening round following an injury sustained in a skiing accident, the result enabled the Saudi to close in on his local title rivals before the final two rounds of the series in Al-Qassim and Jeddah later in the year.

Al-Rajhi said: “Everything is going well. It was a nice race — very technical with good navigation. Sure, we are happy we came to this race in this area that we came to on Dakar and it is now in the Saudi Championship. We lead every stage. Now I look ahead to bajas in Italy and Spain.”

Emirati KTM rider Mohammed Al-Balooshi romped away from his brother Sultan and leading Saudi rider Mishal Al-Ghuneim to win the motorcycle category by 30 minutes, 11 seconds, on his KTM 450.

The three had ridden together over the closing kilometers on Friday but Mohammed led from the front through a tricky closing stage and chose his tracks wisely to seal a comfortable win.

With Al-Ghuneim slipping down to an eventual fourth place on his Beta 430RR after overcoming a very heavy crash, Kiwi rider Philip Wilson finished second on the day and climbed into third, securing the final podium place. Sultan Al-Balooshi stayed with Al-Ghuneim after his accident and sportingly rode with the Saudi to the stage finish. Abdulhaleem Al-Mogheera rounded off the top five.

Mohammed Al-Balooshi said: “It was an awesome day for me. It was attack from the very beginning. Our aim was to push while navigating. Winning is just icing on the cake. I am really happy.”

Al-Ghuneim added: “It started off really good. I caught up to Sultan in the first 20 km, rose really well and then, at 40 km, I was crossing a wadi and I think I was on the wrong track and I realized I needed to correct. While I was correcting on a flat track, my eyes went off the road book for a few seconds and I hit a massive rock at maybe 120 km per hour.

“I was launched into the air and cartwheeled and I thought it was game over. I stayed there to gain my sense of orientation and it took me about 15 or 20 minutes to decide whether I needed to be evacuated or not. I realized I could get up and I could finish the rally. The bike was damaged with the road book and I worked as a team with Sultan and we rode together to the finish of the stage.”

Saleh Al-Saif managed to squeeze past Danial Akeel on the final morning to snatch second place and victory in the T3 category for lightweight prototype cross-country vehicles in his Can-Am Maverick X3.

Akeel finished second in T3, but missed out on third overall in the general classification after falling behind Khalid Al-Feraihi on the final sprint to the finish.

“I had a great time; it was really fun,” added Akeel. “I was a bit disappointed when I saw that we had lost second place overall but I still enjoyed the drive. We learned a lot and, honestly, it was very enjoyable. For T3, it was a good performance but it is nice to compete for the overall. It’s so difficult to compete with the T1s when it is flat and fast. We don’t usually look at the T1s as competition to be honest. It was a nice surprise on day one and we had a good drive on the final stage.”

The event was organized by the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation in conjunction with the Ministry of Sport, and in partnership with official sponsor Abdul Latif Jameel Motors and strategic sponsor Saudi Investment Bank.


Al-Rajhi and Gottschalk grab big lead on first day of Tabuk-NEOM rally

Al-Rajhi and Gottschalk grab big lead on first day of Tabuk-NEOM rally
Updated 19 May 2023

Al-Rajhi and Gottschalk grab big lead on first day of Tabuk-NEOM rally

Al-Rajhi and Gottschalk grab big lead on first day of Tabuk-NEOM rally
  • Mohammed Al-Balooshi and Hani Al-Noumesi top bike and quad standings

TABUK: Saudi Arabia’s Yazeed Al-Rajhi and German co-driver Timo Gottschalk stormed into a comfortable 19 min 28 sec lead after the opening 205 km stage of the Tabuk-Neom Rally on Friday.

The Toyota Hilux crew carded a time of 1 hr 58 min and 57 sec for the scenic passage through desert terrain without hitting any problems during the course of the morning.

Al-Rajhi said: “It was a good day and everything is going well. Timo did a great job, like always. We opened the stage and enjoyed it. We pushed because we want to win every stage after I missed the event in Hail when I was injured. It was fast and slippery in places.”

Emirati rider Mohammed Al-Balooshi got the better of his brother Sultan to win the motorcycle stage by 3 min 4 sec and open up a lead of 1 min 52 sec. Mishal Al-Ghuneim opened the road and came home in third place on his Beta. The trio were the class of the field and finished well clear of fourth-placed Badr Al-Hamdan.

Al-Balooshi said: “It was an awesome day. The weather was much cooler than yesterday but it took me 30 km to 40 km to get into the rhythm. I knew the task was to catch the boys ahead and I made the time. My goal was to come here and get seat time and experience and capitalize on this great event. First and second for me and my bro was icing on the cake.”

Al-Ghuneim said: “Today was a beautiful stage, very well balanced and a lot of navigation needed. It was one of the most beautiful stages since the Saudi Championship started. 

“I started first and opened the stage and kept the lead until the last 20 km when Mohammed and Sultan Al-Balooshi caught me and we rode the last 20 km together to the finish. I am hoping to start third tomorrow and that works out pretty good and I have them in front of me. I have a chance to catch up to them.”

Can-Am Maverick X3 driver Dania Akeel was Al-Rajhi’s closest challenger and led the T3 category for lightweight prototype cross-country vehicles in a stunning second overall. Saleh Al-Saif was a close third in his T3 Can-Am and Khalid Al-Feraihi was fourth.

“It was lovely. A really nice stage with beautiful views. The navigation was tricky but it was okay,” said Akeel. “We are second, wow. That’s not bad.”

Khalid Al-Jafla held fifth place and current Saudi Toyota Championship leader Abdulaziz Al-Yaeesh rounded off the top six. Tenth-placed Maha Al-Hameli led the T4 section in her Can-Am. Abdullah Al-Shegawi retired his Can-Am on the way to the stage with gearbox issues and will not continue.

Overnight quad leader Haitham Al-Tuwaijri suffered technical issues on his Yamaha Raptor and that opened the door for Hani Al-Noumesi to lead the category from Abdulaziz Al-Atawi.

“Nice stage and a wonderful landscape. We ran perfectly but it was a challenging route,” Al-Noumesi said. “We are happy to be leading.”

The event is organized by the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation in conjunction with the Ministry of Sport and in partnership with official sponsor Abdul Latif Jameel Motors and strategic sponsor Saudi Investment Bank.

Saturday will see a second shorter selective section of 136 km before a return to Tabuk for the post-event press conference at 5.30 p.m., and the prize-giving ceremony at King Khalid Sport City from 8 p.m.


Al-Rajhi leads Tabuk-NEOM rally after qualifiers

Al-Rajhi leads Tabuk-NEOM rally after qualifiers
Updated 19 May 2023

Al-Rajhi leads Tabuk-NEOM rally after qualifiers

Al-Rajhi leads Tabuk-NEOM rally after qualifiers
  • Race action in car, motorcycle and quad categories gets underway with a 205km selective section on Friday morning

TABUK: Yazeed Al-Rajhi, Sultan Al-Balooshi and Haitham Al-Tuwaijri set the quickest times in the car, motorcycle and quad categories in front of huge crowds on the Qualifying Stage, held on the outskirts of Tabuk, that kickstarted the weekend’s action in the first Tabuk-Neom Rally on Thursday afternoon.

Al-Rajhi and German co-driver Timo Gottschalk stopped the clocks in 2 min 42 sec to win the 3.5km stage by 43 seconds in their Toyota Hilux. National championship contenders Abdulaziz Al-Yaeesh and Khalid Al-Feraihi were second and third.

Khalid Al-Jafla topped the times in the T2 category for lightweight prototype cross-country vehicles, and Maha Al-Hameli won the stage in T4.

The motorcycle times were then multiplied by a coefficient, and quad category winner Haitham Al-Tuwaijri topped the overall stage times on his Yamaha Raptor, with Emirati Sultan Al-Balooshi winning the stage on two wheels from Mishal Al-Ghuneim and his brother Mohammed (Al-Balooshi).

Ibrahim Al-Muhanna was the only starter in the T5 category in his Mercedes truck.

After technical scrutineering and administration checks for the second round of the Saudi Toyota Rally Championship, 23 cars, 12 motorcycles and three quads were permitted to start the event. The car section was broken down to one T1+ machine for Al-Rajhi, seven T1 machines, six in T2, four Can-Ams in each of the T3 and T4 categories and a T5 truck.

Al-Rajhi was joined by Saudi Toyota Rally Championship leader Abdulaziz Al-Yaeesh, Khalid Al-Hamzani, Ahmed Al-Shegawi, Saleh Al-Saif, Dania Akeel, Maha Al-Hameli, Ibrahim Al-Muhanna, riders Mishal Al-Ghuneim and Mohammed Al-Balooshi and SAMF officials at the pre-event press conference earlier in the afternoon.

Crews tackled the Qualifying Stage at the start of a challenging route laid on by the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation, which is run under the chairmanship of Prince Khalid bin Sultan Al-Abdullah Al-Faisal.

The event is being held in conjunction with the ministry of sport and in partnership with official sponsor Abdul Latif Jameel Motors and strategic sponsor Saudi Investment Bank.