Toyota Hill Climb Championship event revs up in Taif

The second round of the Hill Climb Championship, part of the Saudi Toyota 2024 series, began on Thursday at Al-Mohammadia Hill in Al-Shifa in Taif. (Supplied)
Short Url
Updated 29 August 2024
Follow

Toyota Hill Climb Championship event revs up in Taif

  • The competition unfolds on a challenging 4.2km track, encompassing approximately 30 turns

TAIF: The second round of the Hill Climb Championship, part of the Saudi Toyota 2024 series, began on Thursday at Al-Mohammadia Hill in Al-Shifa in Taif.

The three-day event is organized and supervised by the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation (SAMF) in collaboration with the Ministry of Sports and the governorate of Taif.

Featuring 66 elite drivers of various nationalities including female drivers, the championship will offer a stiff test for the drivers.

The competition unfolds on a challenging 4.2km track, encompassing approximately 30 turns, where competitors start from the bottom of the plateau and race uphill to a final point at an altitude of 1,900 meters all the way to the finish line at 2,150 meters above sea level over the course of two days.

The first day saw the completion of participant registration and the technical check of the competing cars, along with a reconnaissance round and free practice sessions.

On Friday competitors will begin free trials in three successive stages, whilst the final day concludes on Saturday with competitions for participants, and an awards ceremony.


FIA president praises Saudi Arabia boost of Dakar Rally

Updated 5 sec ago
Follow

FIA president praises Saudi Arabia boost of Dakar Rally

  • Mohammed Ben Sulayem will attend the climax of the 48th edition at the weekend

DUBAI: FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has praised Saudi Arabia for helping the Dakar Rally emerge as one of the world’s top events, and boosting the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship.

Ben Sulayem will attend the 48th edition of the legendary race as it reaches its climax at the weekend.

The opening round of the championship has attracted a record 72 entries. It will also mark the launch of the new FIA Master Drivers’ Championship, and the entry of Defender as a new manufacturer.

Ben Sulayem will be welcomed on Friday by Prince Khalid bin Sultan Al-Abdullah Al-Faisal, chairman of the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation.

The FIA president, who will speak at the closing ceremony on Saturday evening, said the event “continues to go from strength to strength.”

He added that the race now has a “record numbers of entries, new manufacturers, and ever-increasing competition in the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship, reflecting the continued global growth of motorsport.”

He thanked Prince Khalid and the federation “for hosting another outstanding event and delivering a truly world-class experience for competitors, fans, and all those involved.”

Joining Ben Sulayem on his visit will be Malcolm Wilson, the FIA’s deputy president for sport.

“The 2026 edition of the Dakar Rally continues to showcase both the growth of the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship and the strength of Cross-Country rallying as a whole,” said Wilson.

He added that it was “encouraging to see three manufacturers – Toyota, Dacia and Ford – all increasing their presence,” and welcomed Defender in the Stock category.