Cordoba, Argentina: Saudi World Champion Yazeed bin Mohammed Al-Rajhi is gearing up for the second edition of the DESAFIO RUTA 40 Rally in Argentina, the fourth round of the 2024 FIA World Rally Raid Championship (W2RC), set to take place in the northwestern region of the country. The rally will traverse the provinces of Cordoba, San Juan, and La Rioja over six days from June 1 to 7.

Navigating alongside him will be German navigator Timo Gottschalk, his partner since the Abu Dhabi Rally 2023, both competing aboard a Toyota Hilux EVO T1U from the Overdrive Racing team based in Belgium. This year’s routes are entirely new, including passages through Cordoba and San Juan, which are new additions to this edition.

Saudi motorsport ambassador Yazeed Al-Rajhi looks forward to claiming victory in this year’s Argentine leg after finishing third in the previous edition despite the challenging terrains. These routes were previously used in Dakar Rally stages when Argentina hosted the competition from 2009 to 2018, bridging the Dakar Rally’s legacy in Africa.

Regarding the Desafio RUTA 40 Rally, which first launched in 2010 and ran for nine years before resuming in Argentina last year as part of the World Long Distance Desert Rally Championship, it consists of five stages, three loop stages, preceded by a 17-kilometer qualifying stage. The rally then moves westward through La Rioja, concluding with a total distance of 3045 kilometers. Known for its rugged and challenging terrain, the Argentina rally resembles the Dakar Rally with its varied landscapes of gravel, open sand, and high dunes.

Named after Argentina’s famous Route 40, the rally will traverse this iconic road, the longest in South America and one of the longest globally, alongside Route 66 in the United States.

Saudi champion Yazeed Al-Rajhi expressed his readiness for the second edition of DeSAFIO RUTA 40, stating: ‘I’m very excited to return for the second edition of DeSAFIO RUTA 40. The first edition was tough and full of challenges, yet we managed to secure top positions. Let’s see what awaits us this season.

He added: ‘Argentina is not unfamiliar to us; I first competed here in the Dakar Rally in 2015 aboard a Toyota Hilux, with Timo as my navigator.’

Saudi champion Yazeed Al-Rajhi expressed his joy in racing in Argentina: ‘I enjoy competing here; it feels like home. I have a great fan base supporting me since 2015. The fans here are amazing, always supporting us and loving motorsport. So, we’re always happy to come racing in Argentina.’

Al-Rajhi extended his special thanks to his strategic partner, Jameel for Motorsport, for their support and sponsorship in his global and regional rally endeavors.

German navigator Timo Gottschalk also expressed his optimism and anticipated challenges in the current championship season, noting the upcoming challenge with driver Yazeed Al-Rajhi.

Gottschalk said: ‘We face a new challenge this year; the first edition was extremely tough yet enjoyable. We need to be cautious and hope for success in this round.’

He emphasized the importance of caution and focus in these competitions, expressing hope for achievements in the current season.”