Jeddah, Dec. 27, 2021, SPA -- The 44th edition of Saudi Dakar Rally 2022 activities will start next Saturday, the largest event in the world of motorsport, which launches from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the third year in a row, amid vast global interest and follow-up to the Dakar Rally, which continues to leave its marks in the Kingdom’s vast deserts, its geographical diversity and its picturesque landscapes, bringing more excitement and enthusiasm of the ancient rally, presenting the Kingdom among the best destinations to host the most prestigious international rally. The participants began arriving in Jeddah, which will host the first stage, where the drivers will start their arduous journey 19 km trip on January 1, before moving to Hail, which will witness the start of the official competitions on the second of January. They will also experience the toughest adventures in the sport of desert rallying over 14 days, challenging the desert and rough terrain to test their endurance for a total distance of 8,375 km, of which 4,258 km are special stages subject to timing, passing through the most beautiful scenic landscapes and archaeological territories in KSA. The 44th edition of the Saudi Dakar Rally 2022 attracted more than 1,000 participants representing 70 nationalities from across the globe, making it the largest edition in terms of participation in the rally’s history. The race also includes 430 vehicles in various categories, and 148 vehicles in the "Dakar Classic" category, as this year's track consists of one preliminary stage and 12 regular stages, with one day of rest in Riyadh, during which the contestants will go through five round stages and one marathon. -- SPA 23:00 LOCAL TIME 20:00 GMT 0030 www.spa.gov.sa/w1670673