SAUDI ARABIA HA’IL BAJA (Ha’il Rally 2009…The Great Nafud Challenge), January 26th-29th, 2009
2009 FIA International Cup for Cross-Country Bajas, round 1 of 6
For immediate release
Tuesday, December 23rd, 2008
RUSSIAN BORIS GADASIN HOPES TO KICK OFF
NEW SEASON WITH VICTORY IN SAUDI ARABIA
·Generous concessions still on offer for overseas entrants
RIYADH (Saudi Arabia): Russia’s leading Baja cross-country driver Boris Gadasin will be hoping to kick-off his new season of FIA rallying with a win, when he tackles the Ha’il Saudi Baja at the end of January. Gadasin finished second overall behind eventual World Champion Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah in 2008 and is determined to go one better when competitive action gets underway in the north-central region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia between January 26th-29th, 2009.
The event is being organised by the Saudi Arabian Motor Federation under the patronage of HRH Prince Saud Bin Abdul Mohsen Bin Abdul Aziz, Governor of Ha’il, President of the Supreme Commission for Ha’il Development and the Head of the Supreme Commission of the Ha’il Rally.
Gadasin was co-driven to second overall in an Overdrive Racing Nissan Navara Pick-Up by Alexander Mironenko in 2008, but may well use another co-driver on this occasion, although his powerful V6-engined Nissan is ideally suited to the Saudi desert terrain and he could be a major force for success next month.
Gadasin is also the president of the Land Rovers’ Club of Saint Petersburg and is one of the key individuals behind promoting Baja-type rallying in his native Russia. The Northern Forest Rally will duly take its place as the second round of the 2009 Baja series at the end of February and Russian event officials are expected to attend the Ha’il event for a second successive season.
In addition to taking part in numerous off-road events in Russia and being a regular competitor in the FIA Baja series, Gadasin has also organised the Tosno Trophy and was part of the Russian Auto Sports Team, which fielded five Land Rovers in the Russian 4×4 Championship.
"We are delighted to welcome Boris and his team to Ha’il for a second time," said Mishaal Al-Sudairy, chairman of the organising committee. "He enjoyed his rallying in our deserts in 2008 and could well be one of the favourites to win the event this time."
The ceremonial start and official Prologue will take place on Tuesday, January 27th and the main action will take place over two legs in the Nafud desert on Wednesday, January 28th and Thursday, January 29th, with the ceremonial prize giving, podium and post-event press conference taking place on Thursday afternoon.
Non-Saudi teams will be offered $2500.00 USD and accommodation if they wish to take part in the Ha’il Baja, while event officials will also arrange visa formalities, where necessary, although passport details must reach organisers no less than four weeks before the event, for which entries are now officially open.
Further information on concessions for international, GCC and Saudi Arabian teams is available from the Saudi Arabian Motor Federation, PO Box 87881, Riyadh 11652, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Tel: + 9661 477 1035, Fax: + 9661 477 1050 and from Ramy Atwa, ram_atwa@yahoo.com or Hamoud Al-Jabry, Mobile: +966 560 623436, E-mail:aljabry@samf.gov.sa.
Ends
For further media information:
Neil Perkins, 2009 Ha’il Saudi Baja International Press Officer, NDP Publicity Services, Mobile: + 44 7831 123153, E-mail: ndppublicity@compuserve.com. www.ndp-publicity.com (press releases).