Sports | Thursday 10 March, 2016 3:20 am |

Nissan has entered its second year as main sponsor for Saudi Arabia’s Ha’il International Rally, as part of its three-year deal, with an exciting program of activities that will involve competitors and spectators, making good on its promise to deliver Innovation That Excites.

 

“Over the past 11 years, the Ha’il Rally has become a firm fixture on the region’s motorsport calendar,” says Abdul Ilah Wazni, Marketing and Corporate Communications General Manager, Nissan KSA, “and Nissan is proud to be playing such an important role in such a highly regarded event. It is recognized internationally as one of the toughest challenges that can be tackled on four wheels and Nissan’s vast experience over eight decades in every level of motorsport ideally places us at the forefront of this exciting scene.”

 

The Ha’il International Rally is held under the direct patronage of HRH Prince Saud Bin Abdul Mohsen Bin Abdul Aziz, Governor of Ha’il, President of the Supreme Commission for Ha’il Development Authority, and the Head of the Supreme Commission of the Ha’il Rally, as well as being under the supervision of the FIA and Saudi Arabian Motor Federation (SAMF). And 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.

 

“Nissan is committed to engaging with, and involving, the youth of Saudi Arabia,” continues Ilah Wazni, “and motorsport is an ideal arena for this as it’s something young people are very excited about. It’s also a safe and legal environment in which young people are able to enjoy the performance of modified cars, away from the roads and other public spaces. Our involvement, not only as title sponsor but as supplier of support vehicles and sponsor of competitors, too, is of utmost importance and positions Nissan as a leader in excellence.”

 

This year Nissan is sponsoring and supporting 23 drivers and co-drivers by providing equipment, training on regulations and navigation techniques, as well as providing essential financial backing. Nissan will also host a range of engagements and activities including karting, drifting, Patrol 4x4 obstacle experience, and football engagement games – each coming with an element of competition to up the excitement for anyone taking part throughout the entire Ha’il International Desert Festival, which runs from 10th-to-19th March this year. Prizes will be up for grabs, to encourage participants to sharpen their skills and join in the fun. The drift show will be performed by the star captain, Abdo Feghali, and Saudi’s own and extremely talented driver, Ghassan Afandi.

 

Nissan will also be giving interested parties the opportunity to test drive some of the latest models in its extensive line-up but there’s more to the company’s involvement than motoring as Nissan is to conduct a cooking and handicraft competition, too, which will showcase the rich and diverse culture of the Ha’il community.

 

Hail’s Desert Festival is now in its eleventh year and is being held at Al-Meghwat Picnic Centre. It serves as an excellent and effective focus on the daily lives of Arab people, celebrating their cuisine, traditional crafts, poetry, storytelling and dance. Various dishes popular among desert dwellers will be available, and both local and foreign dance troupes and poets will perform during the festival, with much more on offer besides.