“It’s bound to be intimidating”
معلومات عن الطاقم
- Motorsports runs in the veins of the Al Shegawi family members. Abdullah Al Shegawi will indeed be the latest of the dynasty to take part on the rally.
- Some ten years ago, when the event was still on South American soil, his father Ahmed was on the start line in Buenos Aires. it’s no surprise to see the son of this local legend who competed on the world scene and even won the FIA cross-country World Cup in the T2 class, take part in the Dakar 2026.
- But Abdullah’s path hasn’t been an easy one. Like his father, he first started on two wheels before switching to cross-country rallies, competing in Baja events in the Middle-East since 2019.
- The turning point for the young man came with the launch of the Saudi Next Gen program in 2025. Part of the project tending to discover and train young Saudi motorsports talents, Abdullah went on to win the challenge and therefore got a ticket to take on the Dakar.
- His focus all year long has therefore been the Dakar. Other than competing at the Baja Hail and Baja Quassim, he was invited to Morocco for a long training camp to prepare for his first appearance on the World’s toughest cross-country rally.
- For his Grande Premiere, 27-year-old Al Shegawi will be driving a Can-Am Maverick and will have at his side Raed Al Assaf, also a victorious member of the Saudi Next Gen promotion.
R.A.A
- Born and raised in Hail, one of the prominent motorsports regions of Saudi Arabia, Raed Al Assad is familiar with cross-country racing. His career actually started back in 2016 and since then he has been a regular figure, as a codriver in the Saudi championship.
- The first turning point of his career was when he joined up with young and promising Abdullah Al Shegawi. That was back in 2024. The second was participating with his regular teammate in the Saudi Next Gen program during the last Dakar. Thanks to that project, both men got their ticket to take part in the 2026 Dakar in the SSV class.
- But this Next Gen program was also an opportunity to learn more about cross-country racing and a perfect preparation to what lies ahead. Raed will make the best of all the tips he got and training camps he witnessed once he’ll be seated in the Can-Am on the start line of the next Dakar.
طموح
A.A.S. : « Of course, I grew up in an motorsports family, my father has come a long way in the field of sports. The first time you try to drive a car is something you'll never forget for the rest of your life. My father had a Mitsubishi Evolution, a 600-horsepower car that I will never forget.
I started riding motocross in the desert, then I moved on to rally racing.
I started riding motocross in the desert, then I moved on to rally racing.
The Dakar is every rally driver's dream. I remember my father's participation in 2016 in South America, so when he returned, I heard about the challenges, something that was possible, something superhuman.
That's what excited me the most, and now God willing, we'll take on the next challenge.
That's what excited me the most, and now God willing, we'll take on the next challenge.
The Saudi Next Gen Program was a great opportunity, especially with the support of the Ministry of Sports and the Saudi Federation. So, we decided to try our luck. I was lucky because I had just finished the Jeddah Rally in first place and we were excited. Of course, we learned a lot. I have now come a long way in the field of rallying but thanks to my participation in the Next Gen program we've definitely improved and learned the basics. It definitely taught us the best and in many ways. The most important aspect is that you know how you deal with your team. And this is one of the things that I have benefited 100% for the future.
We were able to finish the program without any glitches and without any issues and we were able to prove that we were the best. I mean, for me it was a dream and the greatest victory. It was a beautiful and indescribable feeling.
For the Dakar Rally, first of all, you need physical preparation, you need mental preparation and the most important thing is to be prepared for the hardest part. 15 days of your life which is between different terrains, between the pressure of trying to prove that you are the best and the pressure of trying to be the best.
There is a little pressure, but we will try, to give the best performance. It’s scary and it’s normal because you're talking about the hardest rally in the world. And no matter how prepared you are, it's normal to have a fear. It's bound to be intimidating.
R.A.A : “From the deserts of Morocco, we have completed our training and preparation, and all necessary arrangements for the greatest rally and the most beautiful dream: Dakar 2026.
All thanks to the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation for their support and commitment to the entire Saudi Next Gen program and to the team management and all the crew for their tremendous efforts throughout the preparation and training period. We wish success for ourselves and for everyone.”
All thanks to the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation for their support and commitment to the entire Saudi Next Gen program and to the team management and all the crew for their tremendous efforts throughout the preparation and training period. We wish success for ourselves and for everyone.”
