Desert Expedition--Toyota Enthusiasts Begin Rally Journey in Jordan and Saudi Arabia
In the heart of the Arabian Peninsula, the annual Rally Jameel event is making waves, attracting participants from around the globe. This year, Toyota GR Company joined the fray, marking a significant milestone in their journey to support local motorsport culture and challenge their employees.
The idea to participate in Rally Jameel, a women-only off-road desert rally, originated from within Toyota's ranks. General managers saw the event as an exciting challenge worthy of participation, especially given its roots in empowering women, a cause close to Toyota's heart.
Satoshi Toyooka, Acting General Manager of Toyota’s Advanced Technical Skills Institute Division, supported the initiative. He felt confident in providing safety and technical support for the event, aiming to honour the long-standing relationship with Saudi distributor Abdul Latif Jameel Motors. Toyota nominated two employees, Hanae Kitahara and Rio Nagayabu, to participate, with the goal of providing them with valuable experience from the rally challenge.
This participation aligns with Abdul Latif Jameel Motors' broader vision to promote motorsport as part of Saudi Arabia’s evolving sports culture, emphasising adventure and youth empowerment. For Toyota, Rally Jameel offers an opportunity to deepen corporate ties locally, enhance employee skills in a real-world motorsport setting, and contribute to an event that advances motorsport's appeal among women and the younger generation in Saudi Arabia.
The team participating in Rally Jameel, named TGR Sakura Japan, is the first-ever entry from Japan in the event. Hanae Kitahara, a group manager from GR's World Rally Championship activities, and Rio Nagayabu, known for her efforts to promote motorsports and create more car fans from a female perspective, are participating as athletes-rally drivers.
The pair left their regular office jobs to compete in Rally Jameel with a Land Cruiser GR Sport. Their desires for the race are as diverse as their backgrounds. Nagayabu wishes to enjoy the experience and stand on the podium, while Kitahara aims to help Nagayabu achieve her desire to win and ensure they finish the race.
Chief Expert Satoshi Maruta from the Advanced Technical Skills Institute Division was enlisted to accompany Kitahara and Nagayabu and provide support during Rally Jameel. Chairman Toyoda of GR Company sent the team off with his blessings for Rally Jameel.
This year's Rally Jameel drew 82 participants (41 teams) from 37 countries, with diverse reasons for competing. Participants from Ireland, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Spain shared their enthusiasm for the cultural and atmospheric aspects, off-roading through the desert, and the opportunity to compete alongside local women who have been empowered by the lifting of the ban on female drivers.
Rally Jameel, conceived after the country lifted its ban on women drivers, continues to be a beacon of empowerment for local women. The event, organised by Abdul Latif Jameel Motors, is a testament to the evolving sports culture in Saudi Arabia and Toyota's commitment to fostering international collaboration and promoting motorsport among women and the younger generation.
[1] Toyota GR Company's official announcement: [Link] [2] Abdul Latif Jameel Motors' vision for Rally Jameel: [Link]
Sports enthusiasts at Toyota GR Company have found an exciting opportunity in the annual Rally Jameel event, with the automotive giant marking their participation in this women-only off-road desert rally. [1] Their nomination of Hanae Kitahara and Rio Nagayabu, to compete as athletes-rally drivers, signifies Toyota's commitment to sports culture in Saudi Arabia and their aim to empower women through motorsport. [2]
