Latest news with #SaudiToyotaChampionship


Arab News
19-07-2025
- Automotive
- Arab News
Saudi Motorsport accelerates as 2nd Round of Hill Climb Championship concludes in Taif
TAIF: Saudi driver Faisal Al-Qabbani secured first place in the second round of the Saudi Toyota Championship Hill Climb that concluded on Saturday in Aqabat Al Muhammadiyah, Al Shafa. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport Al-Qabbani overall clocked the fastest time of 1 minute, 43.116 seconds, meanwhile Maamoun Al-Qabbani came in second with a time of 1 minute, 43.962 seconds, said a media statement. Jean Lahoud claimed third place with a time of 1 minute, 45.681 seconds. The event was held under the supervision of the Ministry of Sport, and organized by the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation (SAMF), in collaboration with official partner Jameel Motorsport and the Saudi Motorsport Marshals Club. The second round was marked by a high standard of organization and notable participation, reflecting the rapid progress of motorsport in the Kingdom and the growing stature of the championship across the regional motorsport landscape. Mohammed Madani, Executive Vice President for Strategic Management and Business Development at the SAMF, expressed his satisfaction with the successful conclusion of the second round. He conveyed his pride in the outstanding level of organization and the spirit of competition, both of which reflect the ongoing development of motorsport in the Kingdom. 'This championship reflects the commitment of the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation to advancing motorsport and providing high-quality competitive platforms that support the discovery and development of young Saudi talent. It also reflects the Federation's vision to build a sustainable and professional motorsport ecosystem,' Madani said. In Class 1, Faisal Al-Qabbani also took first place with his leading time of 1:43.116, ahead of Maamoun Al-Qabbani in second, and Mahmoud Abed in third. In Class 2a, Jean Lahoud topped the leaderboard with a time of 1:45.681, followed by Ahmed Al-Qaidi in second and Ahmed Bajunaid in third. Meanwhile, Class 2b was won by Rabih Al-Aawar with a time of 1:50.820, with Abdullah Al-Qabbani and Mohammed Al-Sharyan securing second and third respectively. In Class 3a, Ibrahim Al-Shouraida led with a time of 1:52.508, followed by Sultan Hamdi and Hazem Al-Dabbagh in second and third. Class 3b saw Hamza Bakhashab take first place with a time of 1:58.785, ahead of Riyadh Batal in second and Abdullah Khoja in third. In Class 4a, Abdullah Al-Khuriji secured the top spot with a time of 1:59.538, followed by Hisham Al-Badea and Bandar Al-Sulami. In Class 4b, Ali Al-Khadhair took first with a time of 2:04.960, while Abi Wael Zafar and Khaled Baghdadi placed second and third respectively. In Class 5a, Abdulaziz Al-Fadhili claimed first place with a time of 2:09.574, followed by female driver Enas Abtini in second and Mohammed Abdelghaffar in third. Class 5b was won by Hatem Al-Hazmi, who clocked a time of 2:10.043, ahead of Mohammed Habbal and Saeed Al-Ghamdi in second and third positions. As for the additional competition categories, Abdulaziz Al-Rumaih won Category 2 SS with a time of 1:52.767. In Category 2 SC, Saeed Al-Mouri came first with a time of 1:54.291, followed by Abdullah Al-Omari in second and Talal Al-Asimi in third. It is worth noting that the third and final round of the Saudi Toyota Championship Hill Climb will take place from 7 to 9 August. The final round is expected to play a pivotal role in further embedding motorsport culture within the Kingdom and inspiring the next generation of Saudi talent to pursue a future in this thrilling sport.


Asharq Al-Awsat
29-06-2025
- Sport
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Toyota Hill Climb Championship Concludes in Taif
The first round of the Saudi Toyota Championship Hill Climb concluded with 65 competitors facing challenging mountain twists amid dense fog and hailstones, testing their skills and determination, SPA reported. The event was held at Al-Muhammadiyah slope in Taif under the supervision of the Ministry of Sport and organized by the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation. By hosting such championships, Taif aims to boost tourism, attract both local and international participants, and highlight the role of sports in community development, while contributing to the region's economic growth.


Asharq Al-Awsat
25-06-2025
- Automotive
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Taif to Host Saudi Toyota Hill Climb Challenge Amid Mountainous Terrain
For the third consecutive year, Taif is set to host the Mohammediyah Hill Climb Championship as part of the opening round of the Saudi Toyota Championship. Scheduled to take place from June 27 to 28, the event is organized by the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation under the supervision of the Ministry of Sport. The championship, to be held along the winding roads of Mohammediyah slope, is one of the key events organized by the federation, aiming to promote and develop motorsports across the Kingdom. It also seeks to encourage community participation, hone drivers' skills, and promote a culture of safe competition in line with the highest standards of safety and organization, SPA reported. In addition, it provides an ideal platform to showcase driving talent in a competitive environment that prioritizes safety, and aligns with the federation's broader efforts to foster motorsport culture in the Kingdom and open new horizons for local talent. The event is expected to draw wide interest from motorsport enthusiasts—both competitors and spectators—reflecting the growing appeal of the sport within Saudi Arabia and reinforcing the Kingdom's position as a premier destination for hosting major sports events at both the local and international levels.


Arab News
30-01-2025
- Automotive
- Arab News
Hail Toyota International Rally 2025 begins in Saudi Arabia
HAIL: The 20th edition of the Hail Toyota International Rally 2025 got underway on Thursday with a ceremonial start in Hail City. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport Hail Region Gov. Prince Abdulaziz bin Saad bin Abdulaziz, alongside Prince Khalid bin Sultan bin Abdullah bin Faisal, chairman of the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation, flagged off the competitors at Al-Maghwah Amusement Park, marking the official launch of the rally. The competition proper begins on Friday morning, featuring more than 116 vehicles across multiple categories. The car category alone includes 77 competitors, with 32 local participants competing in the Saudi Toyota Championship, 38 international drivers and seven contenders in the Legends category. Additionally, 39 competitors will take on the demanding terrain in the motorcycle category, including six in the quads division. The rally's challenging course cuts across a variety of terrains, including the vast Nafud Al-Kabir desert, renowned for its towering sand dunes, rugged trails and striking landscapes. Several leading drivers and riders attended the official pre-event press conference on Thursday, including Saudi rally champion Yazeed Al-Rajhi, fresh off his Dakar Rally 2025 victory, alongside Qatar's Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah, Saudi drivers Dania Akeel and Saleh Al-Saif, among other top competitors. A special Legends of Rally press conference was also held, where Prince Khalid bin Sultan announced his return to competitive racing after 18 years. 'My competition with champion Abdullah Bakhashab will be fierce, and I hope to deliver a performance worthy of the fans' expectations, even though I am participating as an honorary competitor,' he said. Bakhashab, in response, said: 'I will do whatever it takes to secure victory and showcase my extensive experience against Prince Khalid. I'm prepared for all scenarios — winning is my goal.' Omani rally driver Hamad Al-Wahaibi expressed his enthusiasm at taking part. 'I'm thrilled to be in Hail and competing in this race, which brings together legends — some of whom I've faced in past events,' he said. Saudi rally driver Ahmed Al-Sabban echoed similar sentiments: 'This will be an incredible race with an elite lineup. The Hail Rally holds some of my best career memories, and I'm fully prepared.' Hail native Farhan Al-Shammari, who won the inaugural Hail Rally 20 years ago, is eager to reclaim the title: 'Racing on my home turf, in front of my fans, is a great honor. I will give my all to win the title again, two decades after my first victory.' Four-time Hail Rally champion Issa Al-Dosari also promised a thrilling competition. 'We are ready to deliver an exciting race for fans. This is a legendary event, and we are determined to put on a show worth watching,' he said. The Hail Toyota International Rally 2025 marks the 20th anniversary of the event and holds significant importance on the global motorsport calendar. It serves as the opening round of the FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Bajas, as well as the inaugural round of the FIA Middle East Baja Cup. Additionally, it launches the Saudi Toyota Desert Rally Championship and marks the first round of the Cross-Country Bajas World Cup for motorcycles.