JEDDAH: Sixty-eight drivers and navigators from more than 17 countries competed in the opening stage of the Jeddah Baja Toyota rally on Friday.
The first stage covered 395 kilometers, including 206 kilometers of timed special stage sections.
In the Ultimate B category, Yazeed Al-Rajhi and co-driver Timo Gottschalk topped the rankings in a time of 1 hour 48 minutes, 6 seconds, followed by Dania Akeel with 02:01:36 and Miroslav Zapletal on 02:02:28.
In the Ultimate category, Faris Almoshana led the field with a time of 02:21:22, ahead of Abdulaziz Alyaeesh (03:10:19) and Hussein Al-Lapid (03:37:39).
In the Stock category, Sufian Alomer took first place with a time of 02:27:18, with Khalaf Al-Shammari in second (02:48:11) and Majed Althunayyan third (03:18:40).
In the Challenger category, the top three were Hamad Al-Harbi (02:19:52), Saleh Alsaif (02:20:59) and Abdullah Alfahhad (02:29:14).
Top spot in the Side-by-Side category went to Hamza Bakhashab (02:02:42), followed by Maha Al-Hamali (02:11:34) and Mansour Al-Helei (02:12:42).
Teruhito Sugawara of Japan crossed the line first the Trucks category in a time of 02:20:52.
In the Motorbikes category, Abdul Halim Al-Mughirah was fastest with a time of 02:47:39, followed by Thomas Blackburn (02:50:15) and Abdulla Lanjawi (02:59:58).
In the Quads category, Hani Alnoumesi (02:52:03) led the way, ahead of Abdularahman Alabdullatif (03:53:31) and Merehin Albaz (05:01:11).
The second and final stage of the Jeddah Baja Toyota will take place on Saturday over a distance of 301 kilometers, including a 91 kilometer timed special stage.
The event is organized by the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation, in collaboration with the Ministry of Sport and Jeddah Governorate, with support from official partners Jameel Motorsport and the Saudi Motorsport Marshals Club.
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68 drivers get underway in first stage of Jeddah Baja Toyota rally
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68 drivers get underway in first stage of Jeddah Baja Toyota rally
- Opening day covers a total distance of 395 km, including 206 km of timed special stage sections
- Concluding stage will take place on Saturday over a distance of 301 km, including a 91 km timed special stage
Salford ‘way more prepared’ for Man City rematch says manager
- Karl Robinson is adamant Salford will be a better side when they return to the scene of last season’s 8-0 defeat by Manchester City
LONDON: Karl Robinson is adamant Salford will be a better side when they return to the scene of last season’s 8-0 defeat by Manchester City.
The fourth-tier club side were thrashed by Pep Guardiola’s men in an FA Cup third-round tie at the Etihad Stadium.
They will now make the same short journey in England’s northwest in the fourth round on Saturday and the Salford manager is confident of a very different game.
“Last year was really emotional,” said Robinson. “It wasn’t too long ago our owners were leaning on iron bars watching non-league football.
“To then walk out at the Etihad in front of 60,000 with their football club was incredible. That’s the journey of all journeys.
“This year we have other things to worry about. We have a different mindset. We’ve learned from last year. We’ll be way more prepared.”
Playing City in the FA Cup was an indication of Salford’s rise through the ranks of English football from non-league level, with their ascent propelled by their takeover by a group of former Manchester United stars from the celebrated ‘Class of 92’.
Salford are now in their seventh successive campaign in League Two, with the ownership changing last year as a new consortium fronted by Gary Neville and David Beckham bought out their former Old Trafford teammates.
Forging their own identity in the shadow of some of England’s leading clubs is an issue for Salford, who will revert to their traditional orange kit after the ‘Class of 92’ brought in a red and white strip.
“Salford is a proper football club and that’s our message going into this game,” said Robinson.
“Last year we wore the red kit but we’ll wear our away kit this year, just to signify it’s a new era. We do sit separate to City and United. We have our own identity.
“We’re a completely different football club now.”
For all Robinson’s renewed optimism, City thrashed League One Exeter 10-1 in the last round of the FA Cup.
But he insisted: “There’s always hope, there’s always a possibility. You don’t know 100 percent. You might know the odds are 99.9 percent against, but there’s still that chance.
“Everyone goes to bed the night before with that thought of ‘what if?’, and that’s exciting.”
The fourth-tier club side were thrashed by Pep Guardiola’s men in an FA Cup third-round tie at the Etihad Stadium.
They will now make the same short journey in England’s northwest in the fourth round on Saturday and the Salford manager is confident of a very different game.
“Last year was really emotional,” said Robinson. “It wasn’t too long ago our owners were leaning on iron bars watching non-league football.
“To then walk out at the Etihad in front of 60,000 with their football club was incredible. That’s the journey of all journeys.
“This year we have other things to worry about. We have a different mindset. We’ve learned from last year. We’ll be way more prepared.”
Playing City in the FA Cup was an indication of Salford’s rise through the ranks of English football from non-league level, with their ascent propelled by their takeover by a group of former Manchester United stars from the celebrated ‘Class of 92’.
Salford are now in their seventh successive campaign in League Two, with the ownership changing last year as a new consortium fronted by Gary Neville and David Beckham bought out their former Old Trafford teammates.
Forging their own identity in the shadow of some of England’s leading clubs is an issue for Salford, who will revert to their traditional orange kit after the ‘Class of 92’ brought in a red and white strip.
“Salford is a proper football club and that’s our message going into this game,” said Robinson.
“Last year we wore the red kit but we’ll wear our away kit this year, just to signify it’s a new era. We do sit separate to City and United. We have our own identity.
“We’re a completely different football club now.”
For all Robinson’s renewed optimism, City thrashed League One Exeter 10-1 in the last round of the FA Cup.
But he insisted: “There’s always hope, there’s always a possibility. You don’t know 100 percent. You might know the odds are 99.9 percent against, but there’s still that chance.
“Everyone goes to bed the night before with that thought of ‘what if?’, and that’s exciting.”
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