Al Attiyah Begins Preparations for Dakar Rally

Jeddah, January 02 (QNA) - Defending champion and three-time winner Nasser bin Saleh Al Attiyah Thursday kicked off his preparatory tests with his Toyota Hilux along with his French co-driver Matthieu Baumel in the vicinity of the city of Jeddah. The shakedown is in preparation for the 42nd Dakar Rally, which will be hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and is to be held in the Middle East and Asia for the first time. The organizers had allowed tall participants to conduct shakedown over two days. At the end of the shakedown, Al Attiyah expressed his great satisfaction with what was made by Toyota Gazoo Racing team in South Africa, and the new modifications to the car that will enter the challenge with the aim of defending the title he achieved in the 41st edition that took place in January 2019 in Peru. He stressed that he is fully prepared to achieve his fourth title in the records of the most difficult rally in the world. The Dakar Rally will be beginning on January 5 in Jeddah and conclude on January 17 in Qiddiyah after more than 7,900 kms distance being contested over 12 stages on sand and dunes of Saudi Arabia. (QNA)