Yazeed Al-Rajhi wins Desafio Ruta 40 Rally Argentina

Congratulations to the Saudi world champion and Jameel Motorsport supported driver Yazeed Al Rajhi, who was crowned the winner of the 2024 Desafio Ruta 40 Rally in Argentina, marking the fourth round of the World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC).  Driving a Toyota Hilux, this victory makes him the first Saudi and third non-Argentine driver to win on Argentinian soil since 2010.

Al-Rajhi and his German co-driver Timo Gottschalk, clinched the title, finishing first by just 13 seconds.  They recorded a total time of 17 hours, 38 minutes, and 21 seconds over six days on rough, gravel and technical track stages from June 1st to 7th.

“Winning by just seconds is an incredible feeling. It was a long and fierce battle. This victory is well-deserved for me and the team,” said Al-Rajhi.

“I am delighted with this win.  It’s great to be back in Argentina.  Last year, I finished third, and today I won the second edition of the Desafio Ruta 40 Rally.  The competition was strong and was characterized by the difficulty of its tracks similar to the Dakar Rally.  My co-pilot, Timo, also did a wonderful job in this rally, and I am grateful to him.” he added.

Al-Rajhi extended special thanks to his strategic partner, Jameel Motorsport, for their support and sponsorship in his global and regional rally endeavors.

Co-driver Gottschalk said: “It wasn’t for the fainthearted.  Yazeed fired another rocket in the final kilometers, overcoming every challenge. It was truly outstanding driving.  We are thrilled with this victory and deserve the upcoming summer break.”

The Desavio Rota 40 Rally is one of the most ancient and difficult rallys in Latin America, first launched in 2010, after the country hosted the Dakar Rally 2009-18.  In 2023, the Desavio Rota 40 Rally became part of the W2RC rounds of the World Rally-Ride Championship launched by the FIA in early 2022.