Nissan Elevates Saudi Motorsport with Sponsorship of Drivers in Nissan Ha’il International Rally

Nissan is to sponsor no fewer than 23 drivers and co-drivers for this month’s punishing Nissan Ha’il International Rally, once again proving that motorsport is at the heart of this unique company.

“For nearly eight decades, Nissan has been pushing the boundaries of innovation in motorsport on the world stage,” says Abdul Ilah Wazni, General Marketing and Corporate Communications Manager, Nissan KSA, “and we were the first to embrace it in Saudi Arabia. The Nissan Ha’il International Rally is now a firm fixture on the motorsport calendar and is highly regarded on a global scale. And our sponsorship, not only of the event itself but of 23 drivers and their co-drivers is unprecedented but we don’t just provide funding – we go much further than that.”

Nissan will be providing the drivers and co-drivers with regulation motorsport clothing, financial support and the comprehensive training required in regulations, navigation skills and equipment usage. It will also be providing the Official Car for the Nissan Ha’il International Rally, for the second year in a row.

“What we do at Nissan is listen to the needs and concerns, not only of our customers but of the communities we operate in,” continues Ilah Wazni. “The Kingdom’s youth face many challenges and obstacles but by spearheading motorsport in the region, we are able to make a positive impact by supporting the hopes and aspirations of young Saudi drivers, many of which possess strong skill sets and experience in this kind of rallying. We help them enjoy the unique thrills of driving in a safe and legal environment, and they are achieving impressive results.”

The fully sponsored drivers include Sami Talab Al Shimmiri, Mut'ib Saud Alqnun, Rajih Farhan Al-Shimmiri, Khalid Nafi' Al-Hmzani, Mneif Binyan Alsalmani, Muteir Al-Shimmiri and deaf driver, Fahad Al Abdullatif. Many of these young men have been successful at Ha’il in past events and have proven their talents in other regional rallies in the Middle East.

Nissan is committed to developing the future of motorsport in the Middle East and its three-year sponsorship deal of Saudi Arabia’s Nissan Ha’il International Rally is an important part in this drive to identify and develop the region’s talent. The company works closely with the Nissan Ha’il International Rally organizers to ensure the event reaches the highest international standards, thanks to its many decades of experience at the every level of motorsport. 

Apart from sponsoring and supporting competitors, Nissan is also providing for the Ha’il community through activations that highlight the region’s rich and diverse heritage which include best cook & best handicraft competitions and hosting other exciting activities including karting, drifting, 4x4 Patrol experience, and football engagement games.