Yazeed Al Rajhi claims seventh Jeddah Toyota Baja title after fierce battle

Saudi rally star Yazeed Al Rajhi clinched his seventh career victory—and fifth consecutive win—in the Jeddah Toyota Baja 2026 car category, following a thrilling duel with Qatari rival Nasser Al Attiyah that lasted until the final kilometers. The event served as the second round of the 2026 Saudi Toyota Rally Championship.

The achievement came on home soil in Jeddah, a city where Al Rajhi has celebrated numerous successes. Once again, he stood atop the podium before his fans, further cementing his legacy in one of the championship’s most prominent rallies.

Al Rajhi, alongside his German co-driver Dennis Senz, made a strong start by setting the fastest time in the prologue stage, signaling his intent to compete for the title from the outset.

The opening stage saw intense competition between Al Rajhi and Al Attiyah, with challenging navigation and tough terrain demanding full concentration from drivers and co-drivers. Al Rajhi finished the stage in second place, trailing Al Attiyah by 1 minute and 7.8 seconds, keeping the title race wide open for the final day.

On Saturday morning, Al Rajhi and Senz entered the second and final stage—spanning 83.89 kilometers—determined to overturn the deficit and seize the lead.

Despite difficult navigation and a complex roadbook, the Saudi-German duo delivered an exceptional performance, overcoming the challenges to overtake their Qatari rival and win the overall classification by 1 minute and 5.8 seconds.

Al Rajhi competed in a Toyota Hilux prepared by Overdrive Racing and supported by official sponsor Jameel Motorsports. The car’s strong performance, combined with teamwork between driver, co-driver, and technical crew, played a crucial role in the victory.

With this win, Al Rajhi’s tally in the Jeddah rally rises to seven titles, achieved in 2014, 2015, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026, extending his record and reaffirming his dominance in Saudi desert rallying.

This victory holds special significance for Al Rajhi, coming on home ground and after a fierce contest with one of the world’s top rally drivers, in a race that remained undecided until the final stage.

After securing his seventh title, Al Rajhi said: “I am very happy with our win in this rally. Dennis did a great job today. Navigation was not easy, but we worked together excellently. My team also performed superbly as always, and we enjoyed the competition. Many competitors lost their way today, but we managed the situation well.”

The win strengthens Al Rajhi’s lead in the overall standings of the Saudi Toyota Rally Championship, as he continues his pursuit of the season title to add to his record of achievements.

The Jeddah rally also serves as a key part of Al Rajhi’s preparations for upcoming events, most notably the 2027 Dakar Rally. The 2025 Dakar champion continues to work with his team to further develop performance and technical readiness.

With the conclusion of the second round in Jeddah, attention now turns to the Qassim Rally, the third and final round of the 2026 Saudi Toyota Rally Championship, where Al Rajhi aims to continue his strong results and compete for a sixth championship title.