SAUDI ARABIA HA’IL DESERT CHALLENGE 2011 – February 8th/10th, 2011
For immediate release
Saturday, January 1st, 2011
SAUDI ARABIAN MOTOR FEDERATION
ANNOUNCES HA’IL DESERT CHALLENGE
· Lucrative cash prizes and financial incentives available to competitors
· HRH Prince Sultan Bin Bandar Al-Faisal takes over as President of the SAMF
RIYADH (Saudi Arabia): The Saudi Arabian Motor Federation (SAMF) will run the FIA-sanctioned Ha’il Desert Challenge in the north-central region of the Kingdom from February 8-10, 2011.
The event is not a round of the FIA World Cup this season, but Saudi officials in Riyadh are confident of attracting a top class international entry nonetheless to tackle two days of competition over some of the most difficult and spectacular desert terrain to be found anywhere in the world.
This year’s event will run 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. The SAMF has also welcomed a new President on board, with His Royal Highness Prince Sultan Bin Bandar Al-Faisal taking over from Mishaal Al-Sudairy as the figurehead of the federation.
Event officials have confirmed that a generous prize fund will be offered to competitors on this occasion. The winner will receive 100,000 SR (approx $28,000 USD), with 50,000 SR offered to the runner-up, down to 10,000 SR for fifth position. The winner of the T2 category will earn himself 30,000 SR, with 20,000 SR being awarded to the runner-up and 10,000 SR for third overall.
The assistance package for overseas participants consists of five nights’ accommodation in a two-room apartment for driver and co-driver, in addition to a payment of $2,500 towards costs. Entry visas are required for many nationalities and it is crucial that the relevant documentation is submitted to the SAMF as soon as possible.
Scrutineering and documentation will take place on Monday, February 7th. Competitive action gets underway with a timed super special stage after the official starting ceremony on Tuesday, February 8th, while legs two and three will run through the An Nafud desert to the north and west of Ha’il on Wednesday, February 9th and Thursday, February 10th.
Entries are now open and further information is available from the Saudi Arabian Motor Federation, PO Box 87881, Riyadh 11652, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Tel: + 9661 477 1034/5, Fax: + 9661 477 1050, E-mail: info@samf.gov.sa or Hamoud Al-Jabry, Technical Advisor, Mobile: +966 560 623436 or + 966 546 677660, E-mail: aljabri@samf.gov.sa, or coolmoodz@hotmail.com.
Ends
For further media information:
Neil Perkins, 2011 Saudi Arabia Ha’il Desert Challenge International Press Officer, NDP Publicity Services, Mobile: + 44 7831 123153, E-mail: ndppublicity@googlemail.com. www.ndp-publicity.com (press releases).
www.samf.gov.sa
www.hailbaja.net/