Desert Odyssey: Toyota Enthusiasts Embark on Rally Premiere in Jordan and Saudi Arabia

Desert Odyssey: Toyota Enthusiasts Embark on Rally Premiere in Jordan and Saudi Arabia

In the heart of the Arabian desert, Rally Jameel, organized by Jameel Motorsport, is more than just a racing event. This year, the rally drew 82 participants from 37 countries, including a team from Japan – TGR Sakura Japan – consisting of Hanae Kitahara and Rio Nagayabu.

For Kitahara and Nagayabu, this was not their first foray into off-road racing. They have been part of Toyota's World Rally Championship activities, but Rally Jameel represents a unique opportunity for them to hone their skills in desert racing. Toyota Motorsport sent them to Saudi Arabia with the aim of providing them with a valuable experience, repaying the efforts of their Saudi distributor Abdul Latif Jameel in boosting Toyota's presence there, and contributing to a motorsport event that highlights women’s empowerment and inclusion in the region.

The Land Cruiser GR Sport that Kitahara and Nagayabu are using in Rally Jameel was developed by a specialist from the Advanced Technical Skills Institute Division. The duo's nomination for the rally underscores Toyota Motorsport's commitment to developing technical skills in its staff.

Rio Nagayabu, who works in the GR Marketing Division, promotes motorsports from a female perspective. Her partner, Hanae Kitahara, is known for her contributions to Toyota's World Rally Championship activities. The pair became the first-ever entry from Japan in Rally Jameel.

The rally serves as a starting point for some participants, with one expressing her intention to compete in many more events. For others, it's a chance to share their rally experience with a teammate, like a participant from Spain. A mother and daughter from Saudi Arabia participated in Rally Jameel for the first time as a Mother's Day present, expressing that the lifting of the ban on female drivers was a revolution and a significant step forward for women in the country.

A participant from Bahrain looks forward to bouncing off-road through the desert with a fellow woman driver. Another Saudi participant shared her desire to keep competing in many more events after participating in Rally Jameel for the second time.

Rally Jameel is conceived to empower women in Saudi Arabia, which was the last country to lift its ban on women drivers. The rally spans iconic locations in Jordan and Saudi Arabia and promotes inclusion, resilience, and ambition among women globally, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals. Toyota Motorsport's participation reflects this broader agenda of supporting diversity and advancing Toyota’s presence both culturally and commercially in the region.

This decision originated from a suggestion by GR Company general managers to join Rally Jameel, organized by Jameel Motorsport, part of Abdul Latif Jameel Motors, which is Toyota’s Saudi distributor. Despite initial concerns about the dangers of off-road desert racing, key leaders recognized the opportunity as a meaningful experience and a way to support Toyota’s longstanding partnership with Saudi Arabia.

In conclusion, Rally Jameel is more than just a racing event. It symbolizes progress in women’s empowerment in Saudi Arabia and serves as a platform for women from around the world to showcase their navigational skills, resilience, and ambition. Toyota Motorsport's participation in Rally Jameel is a testament to their commitment to diversity and inclusion, as well as their dedication to developing their staff's technical skills in off-road racing.

1. Toyota Motorsport's participation in Rally Jameel, despite initial concerns about the dangers of off-road desert racing, demonstrates their commitment to diversity and inclusion, as well as their dedication to developing their staff's technical skills in off-road racing.
2. For Hanae Kitahara and Rio Nagayabu, Rally Jameel represents a unique opportunity to hone their skills in desert racing, as they have been part of Toyota's World Rally Championship activities but find this event particularly valuable.

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