Al-Rajhi led the 30-car entry away from the ceremonial start at the Maghwat Conference Center in this north-central Saudi city in his X-raid Mini All4 Racing, as he bids to become the first driver to win the event for a third time.
The impressive entry for the FIA sanctioned event, being run by the Saudi Arabian Motor Federation (SAMF) under the presidency of Prince Sultan bin Bandar Al-Faisal, was flagged away from the start by Hail Gov. Prince Saud bin Abdul Mohsen, who is president of the Supreme Commission for Hail Development and head of the Supreme Commission of the Hail Rally.
In a statement on the occasion, Gov. Prince Abdul Mohsen thanked Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah for his continuous support for the development of Hail as well as his support for national events in the province. He expressed his satisfaction over the international reputation achieved by the Hail Rally.
Prince Abdul Mohsen also thanked the private sector, especially the main sponsors, for their support to make the rally a big success and described the private sector as the event's main partner. He also commended the rally's various organizing committees for a work well done.
"The Hail Rally reflects the capabilities of Hail and its people, who have proved that they can rise to the occasion and take up responsibility”, the governor said. He believed the rally would play a big role in enhancing the skills and capabilities of Hail's people.
Prince Abdullah bin Khaled, chairman of the executive committee, commended the event's marvelous opening ceremony. "What we have seen today is a wonderful addition to a series of big successes achieved by the rally in the past years."
Frenchman Thierry Magnaldi and his Spanish co-driver Lucas Cruz Senra held second position in a Toyota FJ Cruiser Proto run by Abdullah Bakhashab's Toyota Team Saudi Arabia. Qatar's Sheikh Hamed Bin Eid Al-Thani, the 1993 FIA Middle East rally champion, held third position with UAE-based co-driver Arif Yousef Mohammed and Abdullah Saed Bin Hamden was fourth in a Nissan Patrol.
The UAE's Yayha Al-Helai and Dubai-based Briton David Mabbs were classified fifth and eighth through the short opening stage in their respective Nissan Patrol and Toyota FJ Cruiser. Regular WRC co-driver Michael Orr, from Northern Ireland, teamed up with Saudi driver Salah Abdul Aal for the first time in a Nissan and the pair held 14th overall after the short stage.
Today marks the first of the two days of desert action across the An Nafud desert, with a 257.43km special stage on the agenda. The first car is scheduled to leave Ha'il at 8 a.m. for the 99.61km liaison section to the start of the stage at Jubbah from 9:55 a.m. A 109.67km liaison guides teams back to the Maghwat Conference Centre in Hail this afternoon.
