Rajhi and French co-driver Matthieu Baumel cruised into an emphatic 25m 54.3s lead after the second 305km selective section of the 2009 Saudi Hail Baja, in the Ar Nafud desert, Wednesday. The Nissan Navara crew bolted into the distance as soon as the longest desert section of the event began north of Jubba and gradually extended their advantage throughout the day. No competitor could match the aggressive driving style of the off-road rookie and the Dubai-based British crew of Mark Powell and Paul Richards eventually finished the stage a distant second overall in their Honda Buggy. “It was a fantastic experience for me to take part in a Baja race,” said Al-Rajhi. “I really got into a good rhythm and enjoyed the car and the stage immensely. We have a good lead after the first day, but I am under no illusions that it will be difficult tomorrow. I want to win this rally so much. I am determined.” The UAE's Abdullah Al-Herais and Suhail Al-Ali held third overall in a Nissan Patrol until they suffered differential problems in the closing kilometres. This enabled 2007 winner Rajeh Al-Shammeri to make full use of his knowledge of the local desert terrain to hold third, but time penalties for clocking in early at two controls cost him eight minutes and he slipped to fourth overall behind Miroslav Zapletal. The Czech driver had been forced to use his older Mitsubishi Pajero in Saudi Arabia, as his usual Mitsubishi L200 is still en route from the Dakar Rally in Argentina to Europe. The event is being held under the patronage of HRH Prince Saud Bin Abdul Mohsen Bin Abdul Aziz, Governor of Hail, President of the High Commission for the Development of the Ha'il region and the Head of the Supreme Commission of the Ha'il Rally. He will present the major awards at the ceremonial finish on Thursday afternoon. Saudi Arabian Motor Federation president Mishaal Al-Sudairy also took the opportunity on Wednesday to show Stephan Carapiet, President of the Asian Motocross and Enduro Commission and the Vice-President of the Asian Motorcycle Union, around the Baja facilities in Hail. “We are looking to expand our event to include motorcycles and trucks in 2010 and we are confident that we will get the full support of the various federations to attract as many riders and drivers as possible,” added Al-Sudairy. Thursday, teams will tackle the final 187.7 competitive kilometers of the Saudi Ha'il Baja. The day's timetable begins with a 50.39km liaison section to the start of the selective section, which heads out on winding sandy tracks into a series of medium dunes. Stony terrain and several wadis will be prevalent later in the stage, before teams are faced with a series of high dunes, which descend on to a fast gravel track to the finish. A final 117.50km liaison guides crews to the ceremonial finish at the Maghwat facility at 17.35hrs. __
