JEDDAH: The setting of Bahra region with its natural barriers and intensive sand dunes was apt for the teams taking part in the upcoming Hail Rally 2010. One of them is Isuzu Rally Team that spent hours practicing in the region. Another is Toyota Saudi Rally Team whose driver Saleh Al-Saleh is looking forward to the rally seeking a new achievement. All the experiments have gone according to a plan drawn up by the teams in order to check and test the readiness of the cars in the rally’s T2 category, the organizers told the media on Thursday. The Isuzu team is participating with two Isuzu D-Max rally cars. Last year’s team driver Majed Al-Ghamdi will drive one car, while the second one will be driven by a Hail region resident.
“Initial trials and experiments have been very successful and positive,” Al-Ghamdi said. “We will be driving along sandy roads with a lot of curves and ups and downs in the rally, so a very strong car such as Isuzu D-max equipped with the latest technology is needed. Our team has a great experience in rallies and we strongly hope to reach the podium with a win this year,” he said, adding that he was grateful to Bakhashab Brothers Company and ISUZU for giving him the opportunity to take part in the rally, which is set in Hail from Feb. 16-17.
Al-Saleh is participating with a Toyota FJ Cruiser “ Racer.” He also had a practice session with his co-driver Amro Al Refai and accompanied by a technical team on a track in Bahra similar to the Hail Rally track. Al-Saleh expressed his great satisfaction over his preparation and said: “I’m going ahead with my practice and stabilizing harmony among the team members. We have a great desire, with self-confidence as well as complete equipments, to achieve honorable results in this international event.”
Competition at the Hail Rally is expected to be very strong, especially among those who are professional drivers in addition to the participation of international teams aspiring to win the world title. “My first goal is to rank among top ten, as this is my second participation in the rally,” Al-Saleh added. “Moreover, my participation and my results will be added to Toyota Racing program achievements, which opened a new way for me to enter the rally world and represent the Kingdom in this global event. “
Toyota Saudi Rally Team will participate with two rally cars, one of them being FJ Cruiser racer that will be driven by Saleh Al-Saleh and his co driver Amr Al Rifai, and the second is FJ Cruiser Proto, which will be driven by a well known rally driver whose name will be announced later. This car, which represents ALJ-Toyota’s surprise for all rally fans, is described as the most unique one in the world that is completely rebuilt for the rally.
