Saudi Total Lubricants Co. (SATLUB) has become the gold sponsor of the 1st edition of Jeddah Desert Rally to be held in Jeddah with the support of the Saudi Automobile Federation.

An agreement was signed in this connection at the company's headquarters in Jeddah between Nizar Raydan, MD, SATLUB, and Abdullah Bakhashab, executive director of the rally.

Raydan said: "Our presence in a big motorsport event such as Jeddah Desert Rally is very natural because it fits with our overall strategy and plans to enter the motorsport arena in Saudi Arabia. The desert stages of Jeddah Rally is much like the world's most famous Dakar Rally, which is closely linked with Total for many years, and thus we decided to be part of this rally through our sponsorship.”

Bakhashab reviewed some of the technical aspects of the 500 km rally, including 250 km of special stages, which will run for three days. The rally will kick off in Obhur, while the 2nd and 3rd stages will start from northeast of King Abdullah Economic City.

The 1st edition of the rally is expected to witness the participation of rally champions from the region, where about 30 cars of T1 (T2 as classified by FIA) are expected to participate.

Also, 20 motorcycles of different categories and, for the first time in the Kingdom and in desert rallies, two trucks in category T4 will be seen at the rally. Middle East Rally Champion Nasser Al-Attiyah of Qatar and Saudi rally driver Yazid Al-Rajhi are among the rally participants.

Over decades, the Total brand has maintained strong relationship with the world’s major manufacturers of car engines and gearboxes. Total research and development department strives to provide high quality fuel and lubricants, the company stated.