JEDDAH: Ewelina Chlebowska of Poland and her German co-driver Hanna Riehle of the Sandstorm Express team successfully retained their Rally Jameel title on Friday.
The champions of the 2024 rally won with an overall points tally of 4712.616 following the fourth and final stage of the third Rally Jameel, which this year was themed “She Shifts the World,” and finished on Friday in King Abdullah Economic City near Jeddah.
A total of 55 teams from 27 countries started from the hills of Hail before traveling to the coastal city of Umluj, taking in the historical sites of AlUla and Yanbu, before finishing at KAEC.
The rally is an initiative by Abdul Latif Jameel Motors, organized by Bakhashab Motorsports, sanctioned by the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation and supported by the FIA through their Women in Motorsport program.
Saudi rally driver Maha Al-Hamli and her co-driver Eleanor Coker of the US, in the Obiyya team, came second in the overall standings with 4669.308 points.
British rally driver Catherine Munnings and her co-driver Catalina Floberg of Sweden, in their Chevrolet Silverado, came third with 4667.500 points.
Competitors called it the most challenging Rally Jameel yet as they fought over four stages and covered 1,600 km.
“It was a very challenging rally this year with a large number of national and international racers. We really enjoyed the competition and, with the assistance of my great co-driver, I am glad to come in second because last year I came in third. So, I hope next year to be first,” Al-Hamli said.
Speaking during the final ceremony at KAEC, Munir Khoja, managing director of branding, marketing communications and sponsorship at Abdul Latif Jameel Motors, praised the efforts of all teams after making it to KAEC, the final part of the 1,600 km of an eight-day rally.
“Rally Jameel has been a resounding success. We have seen outstanding teamwork over the past three days, and I would like to personally congratulate our rally winners and everyone who has been involved in this groundbreaking event,” Khoja said.
“On this International Women’s Day, we believe Rally Jameel will play a major role in driving women’s participation in global motorsports, and we are committed to building on this success.
“We are very happy to organize Rally Jameel for the third year in a row and we are glad the number of participants has increased to 110. Now, we are looking forward to the next edition,” he said.
