Off-road racing events are gaining popularity, but as with other aspects of motorsport, women are generally underrepresented. Following the lead of Rebelle Rally, an all-women American event, a new navigation rally will take place next week in Saudi Arabia. Rally Jameel will run see competitors running between 300 and 500 kilometers a day in hopes of achieving navigational excellence in the Saudi desert.
The event is scheduled to take place between March 17 and March 19, and will feature 33 two-person teams from around the world. Seven of the competitors are from the United States, but all of the competing women will be faced with a 1,000-kilometer race route that runs from Ha’il to Riyadh.
33 two-person teams will compete.Performance Communications
Competitors will field a variety of AWD and 4WD vehicles, including models from Toyota, Lexus, and Porsche. The idea is that the vehicles should be normal, everyday models, instead of purpose-built off-road racers. Rather than speed, the event prioritizes navigational precision. Participants can use navigation tech and a digital road book, and must focus on their routes to achieve the best timing.
Rally Jameel takes inspiration from the Rebelle Rally, the first women’s off-road navigation rally in the U.S. Rebelle organizers blessed the Saudi Arabia-based event, and Jameel will see at least one competitor that competed in the event, Sedona Blinson. Abdul Latif Jameel Motors, a Toyota Saudi Arabia dealership, initiated the event, along with Bakhashab Motorsport.
