- The first phase will be over a distance of 212 km
ALULA: The AlUla-Neom Cross-Country Rally, the third round of the new Saudi Toyota Desert Rally Championship, roared into life with a fanfare ceremonial start outside AlUla on Tuesday afternoon.
A large crowd of visitors and local residents gathered at Al-Dawarat center to witness Prince Khalid bin Sultan Al-Abdullah Al-Faisal, president of Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation, and AlUla Gov. Rashid Abdullah Al-Qahtani flag off 60 cars and 16 motorcycles from 22 nations at the start of the third round of the championship.
Before the podium start, racing icons including two-time former Formula One World Champion Fernando Alonso, winner of the second-round of Rally Qassim 2019 Yazeed Al-Rajhi and top Emirati rally driver Sheikh Khalid Al Qassimi attended the official pre-press conference.
The rally began between AlUla and Neom yesterday with a first phase of 212 km, which will be followed by a second phase on Wednesday of 212 km. On Thursday, racers will pass through the village of Abu Qazzaz in a stretch of 231 km, before finally facing the 175 km fourth stage in the Neom area on Saturday.
鈥淭his is a ground-breaking event for 抖阴短视频 and we are extremely proud to see so many famous names from the world of cross-country rallying here with us,鈥� said Al-Faisal.
He welcomed Alonso for taking part in the rally: 鈥淲e are very pleased to have such a legendary name in our local rally list and we hope that he will have a successful experience before joining the Dakar Rally, which will be hosted by the Kingdom.鈥�
Alonso will be seen behind the wheels of one of the eight Hiluxes to be fielded by Overdrive Racing and Toyota Gazoo Racing Team South Africa.
Speaking during the pre-event press conference, Alonso said that the AlUla Neom rally will be 鈥渆xcellent training鈥� for him on similar terrain to the Dakar stages next January.
He said: 鈥淚 am very happy to be here in 抖阴短视频 for the first time and would like to express my gratitude for the great welcome and hospitality I have received since I landed here.鈥�
He added 鈥淭his is my second desert rally after Morocco. I am sure my team will enjoy the stay in this beautiful country and hope to see you again at the Dakar Rally.鈥�