After Dakar triumph …. Al-Rajhi claims eighth victory at Hail Toyota International Rally 2025

Fresh from conquering his first Dakar Rally victory in January 2025, Saudi rally champion and Jameel Motorsport ambassador Yazeed Al Rajhi has secured his eighth crown at Hail Rally Toyota International Rally 2025 (Saudi Baja), organized by the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation (SAMF).

The rally, serving as the season opener for the 2025 FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Bajas, ran from January 29 to February 1 and also marked Round 1 of the Saudi Toyota Desert Rally Championship. This year’s edition carried special significance as it celebrated the 20th anniversary of the legendary Hail International Rally, a cornerstone of Saudi motorsport.

Teaming up with his German co-driver Timo Gottschalk for the sixth time in this event, Al-Rajhi piloted his Toyota Hilux to a commanding victory, setting the fastest cumulative time of 4 hours, 28 minutes, and 15 seconds, beating his closest rival, Argentina’s Juan Cruz Yacopini.  The Saudi-German duo successfully navigated the 815-kilometer route through the challenging terrain of North Reserve, completing the rally trouble-free thanks to the meticulous preparation by Overdrive Racing.

With this historic achievement, Al Rajhi cements his status as the most successful Saudi driver in Hail Rally history, becoming the only Saudi to claim eight victories.  Over his career, he has conquered the rally with five different manufacturers, including Toyota Hilux, demonstrating his exceptional adaptability to diverse challenges.

Expressing his joy after the victory, Al Rajhi said:

“First and foremost, I thank God for this achievement.  Winning my eighth Hail Rally title is incredibly special, especially as it coincides with the 20th anniversary of this legendary event.  Hail holds a special place in my heart, and competing in front of my home fans makes this win even more meaningful.

“The terrain was unforgiving, and the course was deceptively tricky, but we executed our strategy flawlessly and brought the car home safely.  My co-driver, Timo Gottschalk, delivered an outstanding performance, and together, we secured this hard-fought victory.”  

Al Rajhi further extended his special thanks to strategic partner, Jameel Motorsport, for their unwavering support in both domestic and international competitions.