Hail International Rally Celebrates Two Decades Of Champions Across Desert Racing

The Hail International Rally has grown into a key fixture on the regional desert rally calendar, drawing leading drivers and teams from Saudi Arabia and abroad. Since its first running in 2006, the event has provided a demanding stage for motorsport competition across the Hail desert terrain.

Across almost twenty years, the rally has built a strong competitive record, with champions from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Spain, the Czech Republic and other countries sharing the honours. Each edition has added new stories of rivalry, with the 2026 event set to extend this established sporting tradition.

Recent seasons underline how closely contested the Hail Rally remains. Saudi driver Yazeed Al-Rajhi won the 2025 title, repeating earlier successes. Al-Rajhi also claimed victories in 2024 and 2022, confirming consistent form on home terrain. Between those wins, Qatari driver Nasser Al-Attiyah topped the overall classification in 2023.

The COVID-19 period in 2020 brought an unusual double edition. Saudi driver Saleh Al-Abdulali triumphed in the February 2020 rally, before the event returned in December 2020 with a Baja format. On that occasion, Nasser Al-Attiyah secured the "Baja 1" win, while Spanish driver Carlos Sainz captured the "Baja 2" title.

The modern era of the rally also features strong performances from Issa Al-Dossary and Fares Al-Moshana. Al-Moshana earned the 2017 crown, then Al-Dossary put together back-to-back titles in 2018 and 2019. These results highlighted the depth of Saudi rally talent coming through during that phase of the event’s history.

Earlier editions were shaped by a tight contest between Saudi and international drivers. Saudi driver Ibrahim Al-Muhanna led the field in 2014. Czech driver Miroslav Zapletal wrote a new chapter in 2013 by becoming the first European winner. Before that, Yazeed Al-Rajhi posted consecutive wins in 2009 and 2010.

The first years after 2006 quickly established the rally’s status. Saudi driver Farhan Al-Shammari captured the inaugural title in 2006, followed by Rajeh Al-Shammari in 2007. Nasser Al-Attiyah then won in 2008 and again in 2011, while Al-Rajhi added another championship in 2012, reinforcing a strong regional rivalry.

Through this sequence of champions, the Hail International Rally has maintained its position as a leading desert event in the Middle East. The mix of Saudi, Arab and international winners reflects the rally’s appeal, and the 2026 edition is expected to continue this recognised pattern of high-level motorsport competition.

With inputs from SPA