Cars & Autos | Tuesday 12 April, 2016 10:06 am |

Nissan has completed its second year as main sponsor for Saudi Arabia’s Nissan Ha’il International Rally, as part of an important three-year deal, with results that are worth celebrating. Nissan sponsored 20 drivers and co-drivers, all of whom completed the grueling challenge, putting in some extremely impressive performances.

 

“We are much more than the main title sponsor of this incredible event,” says Abdul Ilah Wazni, General Marketing and Corporate Communications Manager, Nissan KSA. “Nissan sponsored and supported some of the key teams, helping them learn the intricacies of desert rally competitions and helping them get the best out of their vehicles. Once again this involved approach has yielded impressive results on the leader board and on the podium.

 

“Apart from congratulating all the teams sponsored by Nissan, I would like to offer my sincere thanks to Nissan’s strategic partners – Alissa and Petromin – for their support and tireless devotion, as well as to the organizers of both the Nissan Ha’il International Rally and Festival activities on every level, and the people of Ha’il itself, for making this event such an extraordinary success.”

 

Of the teams sponsored by Nissan, Rajah-Fahan Al-Shammeri took his Nissan Patrol to victory in the T2 category and fourth place overall, while Ahmed-Abdullah Al-Shehail finished second overall in the T1 category. Ahmad Al-Shegawi, managed to set the second quickest time on the final stage with his Nissan Navara. Nissan-sponsored Saudi driver Fahad Al Abdullatif successfully completed the punishing rally, becoming the first deaf competitor to do so.  

 

Nissan drivers also took third, sixth, seventh, ninth, tenth, eleventh and twelth positions, courtesy of strong performances by Saudi’s Faris Al-Mashna and the remaining six-strong Saudi teams led by Meshaal Al-Saeedi, Khalid Al-Fraihi, Ahmed Al-Gashami, Ahmed Al-Shegawi, Munif Al-Salmani and Jaafar-Majed Al-Qahtani. In all, Nissan vehicles took 7 out of the 10 places demonstrating their strength, efficiency and reliability in difficult desert conditions. 

 

The Nissan Ha’il International Rally, which was this year opened up to three different categories of cars and motorcycles, covered nearly 1,400km through the north-central region of Saudi Arabia and featured five desert stages that took competitors through the beautiful An Nafud desert, as well as a wide variety of terrains that included dunes and gravel trails.

 

“To complete the Nissan Ha’il International Rally at all is an achievement in itself,” continues Wazni. “The determination of these young men in often trying circumstances, that resulted in such impressive results, needs to be recognized and

congratulated. Nissan is an undisputed leader in excellence and is proud to be able to support such a respected event, and to assist the youth of this great country in achieving their goals.” 

 

Nissan sponsored and supported 20 drivers and co-drivers. The company also provided support for the Ha’il community through events that highlighted the region’s rich and diverse heritage. It hosted other exciting activities including karting, a drift show, a 4x4 Patrol experience and provided test drive opportunities with a selection of Nissan’s latest models.

 

The Nissan Ha’il International Rally is recognized globally as one of the toughest challenges that can be tackled on four wheels, and is held under the direct patronage of HRH Prince Saud Bin Abdul Mohsen, Prince of Ha’il, and Prince Abdullah Bin Khalid Bin Abdullah Al-Saud, Vice President of the Supreme Commission for Ha’il Development Authority, as well as being under the supervision of the FIA and Saudi Arabian Motor Federation (SAMF). What started out as a small but enthusiastic club challenge has grown into a cross-country rally that is admired all over the world. Nissan’s sponsorship of the rally is a clear demonstration of its support for the Kingdom’s motorsport heritage. Previous events have also seen Nissan victorious as winners, with both Navara and Patrol models.