Ten Saudi Drivers Ready for Dakar Rally 2024 Saudi Arabia Participation

Competitors have completed their final preparations for the 46th edition of the ultimate challenge in the world of motorsports and rally racing. Photo: Dakar website
Competitors have completed their final preparations for the 46th edition of the ultimate challenge in the world of motorsports and rally racing. Photo: Dakar website
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Ten Saudi Drivers Ready for Dakar Rally 2024 Saudi Arabia Participation

Competitors have completed their final preparations for the 46th edition of the ultimate challenge in the world of motorsports and rally racing. Photo: Dakar website
Competitors have completed their final preparations for the 46th edition of the ultimate challenge in the world of motorsports and rally racing. Photo: Dakar website

The fifth edition of the Dakar Rally 2024 Saudi Arabia is set to kick off on January 5 with 10 drivers from the Kingdom participating in the competition.

Competitors have completed their final preparations for the 46th edition of the ultimate challenge in the world of motorsports and rally racing, which the Kingdom has been hosting for the fifth consecutive year.

Participants will set off from the city of AlUla on January 5, with the competitions concluding in Yanbu on January 19. The rally will feature elite drivers and riders from around the world who have confirmed their preparations to take part in the world's most challenging rally.

This year, drivers will kick off their rally with a preliminary stage from the starting camp in AlUla before embarking on a route that traverses several cities in the Kingdom.

The route includes Al-Hanakiyah, Al-Dawadmi, Al-Salamiya, Al-Hofuf, Shubaytah, Riyadh, Ha’il, and Yanbu, covering a total distance exceeding 7,891 km, including 4,827 km of timed special stages.

This year, 10 Saudi drivers are participating in the competitions, including Yazeed Al-Rajhi in the "T1" category, and Ibrahim Al-Muhana in the "Stock" category.

Saleh Al-Saif, Dania Akeel, and Mashael Al-Obaidan are participating in the "T3" category. Yasir bin Seaidan and Maha Al-Hamali are competing in the "T4" category.

Tariq Al-Rammah is competing in the "T5" category, while Abdulhaleem Al-Mogheera is participating in the "Motorcycles" category, and Hani Al-Noumesi is in the "Quads" category.



Arsenal Moves up to Second in the Premier League with a 1-0 win over Ipswich

Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka, left, kicks the ball ahead of Everton’s Vitaliy Mykolenko during the English Premier League soccer match between Arsenal and Everton at Emirates Stadium in London, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka, left, kicks the ball ahead of Everton’s Vitaliy Mykolenko during the English Premier League soccer match between Arsenal and Everton at Emirates Stadium in London, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
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Arsenal Moves up to Second in the Premier League with a 1-0 win over Ipswich

Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka, left, kicks the ball ahead of Everton’s Vitaliy Mykolenko during the English Premier League soccer match between Arsenal and Everton at Emirates Stadium in London, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka, left, kicks the ball ahead of Everton’s Vitaliy Mykolenko during the English Premier League soccer match between Arsenal and Everton at Emirates Stadium in London, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

Arsenal moved up to second place in the Premier League with a 1-0 home win against Ipswich on Friday.

Mikel Arteta’s side is six points behind leader Liverpool, which has a game in hand.

Second-bottom Ipswich had won two of its last three away games but was up against it from the start at the Emirates.

The visitors did not have one touch in the Gunners’ box during the first 45 minutes and, although Ipswich showed signs of life after the break, it was Arsenal which continued to dominate the game, marshaled by Declan Rice in midfield, The AP reported.

Kai Havertz got the only goal midway through the first half when he knocked in a cross from Leandro Trossard.

Havertz, Rice, Mikel Merino, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus all had chances but none of them could add to Arsenal’s tally.

“It’s so tough, every team is tough to break down," Havertz said. "They fight for each other and at the end we’re very proud for the win.”

Arsenal is a point above third-place Chelsea and two points clear of season surprise team Nottingham Forest in fourth.

Seagulls and Bees share the points on south coast Brighton had most of the chances but could not find the net in a 0-0 draw with Brentford that extended the south coast club’s winless run to six league games.

It was a frustrating night for the home side and especially Julio Enciso. The Paraguay striker had a host of opportunities to score but couldn’t make them count.

Along with Southampton, Brentford has the worst away record in the league with seven losses and two draws and it was easy to see why in this toothless performance.

Brentford had an early goal from Yoane Wissa ruled out for offside and, although it came a bit more into the game in the second half, it failed to pressure Icelandic goalkeeper Hakon Valdimarsson, who made his Premier League debut eight minutes before halftime when Mark Flekken went off with a thigh injury.

One bright spot for the home side was the return of winger Solly March. He came on as a late substitute to make his first appearance for Brighton since injuring a knee against Manchester City 14 months ago.

The result leaves Brighton in 10th place with 26 points, one spot and two points ahead of the Bees.