Saudi Baja organisers offer generous concessions to overseas competitors and announces date change

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The Hail-based event is the opening round of the 2008 FIA International Cup for Cross-Country Bajas and generous concessions are on offer to overseas competitors keen to take part in the Kingdom's premier motorsport event and the first FIA event of this stature from Saudi Arabia to be included in a global series.

The Baja will take place under the patronage of HRH Prince Saud Bin Abdul Mohsen Bin Abdul Aziz, Governor of Hail, President of the Supreme Commission for Hail Development and the Head of the Supreme Commission of the Hail Rally.

Rally director Abdullah Bakhashab has confirmed that officials at the Saudi Motor Sports Committee have arranged a deal with Hoegh Autoliners for the shipment of vehicles from European destinations to Saudi Arabia. Further details are available from event officials, but Basildon in the United Kingdom, Rueil Malmaison in France, Bremen or Hamburg in Germany, Amsterdam in the Netherlands and Gothenburg in Sweden are the liaison points for car shipment.

Saudi organisers will oversee visa formalities for team management, drivers, co-drivers and mechanics and organise the customs operation.

Return ground transportation from the Saudi port of disembarkation to Hail will also be arranged and third party liability road insurance will be provided.

In addition, each team will received two economy air tickets for the driver and co-driver and assistance in the arranging of accommodation in the Hail area.

'We are looking forward to welcoming overseas competitors to the Hail Baja,' said Bakhashab. 'And we will do everything we can to ensure that they have an enjoyable and safe rally in Saudi Arabia.'

Driver entries for the 2008 event opened on Monday, November 26th and close on Tuesday, January 29th. The event will again be centred at the Maghwat facility on the outskirts of Hail and competitors will face two days of daunting off-road action in the Nufud desert to the north of the city.

Scrutineering and documentation will take place on the revised date of Monday, February 11th and this will be followed by the ceremonial start at the Prince Sultan Center in Hail on Tuesday, February 12th at 2pm. Competitors will then head straight into a timed super special stage at 15.30hrs.

The first desert leg will take place between 07.00hrs and 15.00hrs on Wednesday, February 13th, while the second and final leg of the 2008 Hail Baja will start at 09.00hrs on Thursday, February 14th and reach a conclusion at 15.30hrs. The ceremonial finish will take place at Maghwat from 6pm.