[BloggerMathai]

There'd been a lot of media coverage the past few weeks on the first ever Dakar event that was taking place in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. I live in Riyadh city so was following the Dakar Instagram account daily as they made their way from Jeddah on January 5th towards Riyadh.

Stage 6 was scheduled to run from Hail to Riyadh and they published two spectator locations on the morning of January 10th so my friends and I headed off in to the desert for about 175 kms to get to the designated spot.

As we got closer to the venue, we started seeing racers getting on road and making their way to the city for a well earned rest. The following day was 'Rest Day' and all the teams were staying at various hotels in downtown Riyadh.

I don't follow rally much and the only familiar names on the roster were Carlos Sainz and Fernando Alonso (for obvious reasons )
The vehicle categories are; Motorcycles, Cars, Quads (ATVs), Trucks and SSVs (I recognized the Polaris and CanAM)

Well, since I've got nothing much to offer in terms of giving an educated account of the race, I'll let the pictures and a video video do the talking.

On route to the venue


The race teams coming towards the spectator zones and finish line for Stage 6


Some locals enjoying their 4x4s in the way it was meant to be used


Here's a short video to sum up the day;

[BloggerMathai]

Here's the video link

https://youtu.be/8DVPPW_i0y4

[GTO]

Thanks for sharing! Thread moved to the Motorsport forum.

[Zed]

Originally Posted by BloggerMathai

Here's the video link

Thanks for the pics and write-up. Being a spectator at a Dakar event is on my bucket list. I follow the Dakar, in print and online, every year but priorities at work and home kept me out of the loop this time around.
The truck category is the focal point of my interest since the KAMAZ Master & MaZ teams use engine components designed and manufactured at the facility where I am based. Teams send their race or service trucks, en-route to the event, to stock up on spares for the race. Ive had the privilege of interacting with Dakar podium finishers, some of the most committed and hardworking folks Ive met. And its great to see Kamaz and MaZ back on the podium in 2020.

[aghate]

You are one lucky spectator mate, to watch the biggest and baddest rally in the world in person. I wish I was there, maybe some day. I do follow the Dakar every year on YouTube and their official website. If only they could provide more video coverage.

Thanks for sharing!

[BloggerMathai]

Originally Posted by Zed

Thanks for the pics and write-up. Being a spectator at a Dakar event is on my bucket list. I follow the Dakar, in print and online, every year but priorities at work and home kept me out of the loop this time around.

Thank you. I would've tried going to a couple of other stages too but I don't have a dedicated 4x4 that would take me deep into the desert.

Originally Posted by Zed

The truck category is the focal point of my interest since the KAMAZ Master & MaZ teams use engine components designed and manufactured at the facility where I am based. Teams send their race or service trucks, en-route to the event, to stock up on spares for the race.

That's cool! Looks like the components you guys push out stand take a real beating

Originally Posted by Zed

Ive had the privilege of interacting with Dakar podium finishers, some of the most committed and hardworking folks Ive met. And its great to see Kamaz and MaZ back on the podium in 2020.

I wanted to go up to some of them at the refueling station while they were headed back to the city and say 'Hi' but they looked so beat and tired that I just gave a thumbs up and waved.

Originally Posted by aghate

You are one lucky spectator mate, to watch the biggest and baddest rally in the world in person. I wish I was there, maybe some day. I do follow the Dakar every year on YouTube and their official website. If only they could provide more video coverage.

Thanks for sharing!

I think KSA will be hosting next year's event as well. It will be definitely cheaper than traveling to Dakar. And plus now tourist visas to Saudi are being issued around the year. All the best!