After the resounding success of the Morocco Desert Challenge, in which Maria Luís Gameiro took fifth place overall in the cars, the Team Motivo JCB driver is going to stay in high gear, with the next challenge already in sight. This time representing the colors of FPAK Team Portugal, alongside Inês Ponte Grancha, Maria Luís will face 1500 km of the Jameel Rally, in a race that will last six days, passing through five different cities and two countries.
The Jameel Rally is an initiative of Abdul Latif Jameel Motors and is part of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, which seeks to increase the role of women in society by encouraging their participation in sport and in various areas. This is an exclusive off-road competition for women, held in Saudi Arabia and focused on navigation and strategy rather than speed. Each team is made up of two women, a driver and a navigator, who use GPS and a digital road book to find checkpoints along the route. The competition does not measure arrival time, but rather navigational accuracy, accumulating points at each checkpoint. As well as promoting female empowerment, the event also highlights the country's geographical and cultural wealth.
The first edition took place in March 2022, covering around 1000 km. In 2025, and for the first time, the Jameel Rally will start in Petra, Jordan, before crossing Saudi Arabia. The six-day journey, which starts on April 21, will cover 1,500 km, also passing through Tabuk, AlUla, Hail and Qassim. Competitors will be driving through some of the region's most breathtaking and historically rich landscapes, with many stages set against the backdrop of UNESCO World Heritage sites, reinforcing the rally's role in promoting adventure tourism in Saudi Arabia.
This year's edition will feature 45 teams from 37 countries, including 25 returning participants and 20 making their debut. Maria Luís Gameiro and Inês Ponte Grancha are the first Portuguese representatives in this rally.
After her spectacular display in the last event, in Morocco, Maria Luís is thrilled to be returning to the Saudi desert and the stunning landscapes that will be the backdrop next week, where navigation will play a crucial role in the success of the Portuguese expedition: “Above all, I'm in Saudi Arabia representing Portugal. More than just a good result, I want to repay the invitation with my presence, taking on board the importance that this race has for the women of that country. Expectations are, of course, limited, given that I and Inês have very little experience in regularity races. Even so, I'm sure we'll give it our best shot,” said the driver.
Automatic translation of the Portuguese version available at www.todoterreno.pt
