Hail, Saudi Arabia: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is set to enter the world of international motorsport for the first time, following yesterday's announcement that the Hail Saudi Baja will become an official candidate event for the FIA International Cup for Bajas.
The event will take place near Hail in northern Saudi Arabia on February 8-11, 2007 and will be organised by the Saudi Motor Sports Committee (SMSC), with the support of Hail Development Authority and under the patronage of the Governor of Hail, Prince Saud Bin Abdul Mohsen Bin Abdul Aziz.
The Hail Saudi Baja ran for the first time last February and will be observed by the FIA next February for future inclusion in an international FIA championship.
"This is fantastic news for all concerned," said Mishaal Fahad Al Sudairy, Chairman of the Organising Committee. "We have been aiming for this for quite a while now. The goal is to put motorsport in Saudi Arabia on the FIA international map."
Major breakthrough
"Saudi Arabia is the largest country in the Middle East region and, as yet, has not been represented at FIA international level in any form of motorsport," said Derek Ledger, FIA Vice-President and Head of the FIA Middle East Commission. "There is a strong team of officials and enthusiasts behind the event and this is a major breakthrough for the sport in the entire Middle East region."
Wallid Mihyar will act as Event Director and Clerk of the Course for a second successive year. Jordanian Mihyar has previously worked in a similar capacity in the Syria and Oman international rallies, rounds of the FIA Middle East Rally Championship.
The event will be based at Hail in northern Saudi Arabia and is set to offer in the region of 450 competitive kilometres in the surrounding deserts. There will be two timed legs, with approximately 260 kilometres of competition for leg one and 190 kilometres for leg two.
