When it was announced that Saudi Arabia was going to host the final round of the World Rally Championship for the first time, becoming only the 39th country ever to host the championship, I knew I could not just watch it from screen.
I wanted to experience it and feel the energy myself. Even though it was my first time attending a rally, I was really excited to explore this world.
Saudi Arabia makes it mark on the WRC
Rallying already has a deep footprint in the region with desert rallies, cross-country events, and the legendary Dakar. But the arrival of the WRC was different – it was not just another sporting event, it was a statement that Saudi Arabia belonged on the global motorsports map.
Seeing the efforts to build new tracks specifically adapted to WRC’s style and standards, the spectacular opening ceremony, and the impressive fan village and grandstands all prepared in a remarkably short time, was truly impressive. It was a clear reflection of Saudi Arabia’s readiness to host major international motorsport events like the WRC.
The thrill of the rally
It was unlike anything I had ever seen before. The way the drivers continued to face endless challenges ,especially the drastic changes in the environment, was amazing. This was clearly reflected in Thierry Neuville’s comment: “I’ve never seen so many stones on a road during a rally.”
On top of that, Mãrtiņš Sesks suffered a bunch of punctures when he was agonizingly close to securing victory. It was truly heartbreaking, and it perfectly shows how, unlike any other motorsport series, the WRC delivers outcomes that are incredibly unpredictable.
And perhaps that unpredictability is exactly what makes it so special and so addictive to watch.
Behind the scenes: The heart of rallying
Visiting the service park was fascinating. It is quite literally the beating heart of any rally. All the teams worked together with a calm kind of urgency: body panels coming off in seconds, mechanics sliding underneath the cars, engineers comparing split times on screens. It all felt strangely familiar, and I felt a rush of excitement imagining what it would be like to work in a community like this one day.
Fortunately, I also stumbled across David Evans and Colin Clark, the incredible hosts of DirtFish while they were filming the Thursday highlights video. Seeing them in action was genuinely inspiring, and I was very fortunate to have the chance to chat with them about what it’s like to work in the motorsports industry, rallying in particular.
A historic moment in the desert
As the final stage ended and the dust settled under the golden sunset, I realized just how unforgettable this journey had been. I came to see fast cars racing through the desert, but I left with something much deeper.
I witnessed motorsport history being written on familiar ground. I saw how rallying can bring people from different backgrounds together through a shared love for speed and challenge. And I understood that this wasn’t just my first WRC event, but the beginning of a new era for rallying in Saudi Arabia.
