HAIL — Nissan will provide title support for Saudi Arabia’s Ha’il International Rally, the Saudi Arabian Motor Federation’s flagship off-road event, for the fifth successive season. The 13th event of its kind takes place on Jan. 13-18 through the north-central deserts of the Kingdom.
Local driver Essa Al-Dossari is relishing the start of the event and is targeting outright victory in a Nissan Navara through his new team, ED Racing. The car was prepared and tuned in South Africa and Al-Dossari will be co-driven by Ali Al-Reed.
“ED Racing is a new team with three members,” said Al-Dossari. “I have been in rallying since 2002 and used to participate in Group N. I finished all my races within the top five. Now I am participating in cross-country rallies. I started in the T2 category but I am now in T1 with the Nissan Navara.
“I am looking forward to challenging for the overall win in the Hail Rally. Our current plan is to participate in Hail, the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge and the Dubai Baja. We may also take part in other rounds as well. This is my first participation in the Hail Rally. My co-driver is well known, experienced and has competed several times before in this event, so that will be to my advantage.”
The rally will be staged 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.
Competitive action takes place on Jan. 15-18. — SG
