Since its launch in 2022, Rally Jameel has steadily transformed from a local motorsport event into a global platform for women, adventure tourism, and regional ambition.
This year, the rally broke new ground, both literally and figuratively, by expanding beyond Saudi borders for the first time. Kicking off at the rose-red cliffs of Petra, Jordan, and ending in the agricultural heartland of Qassim, Saudi Arabia, the 2025 edition spanned five cities and more than 1,600 kilometers of diverse terrain.
That cross-border leap is symbolic of a much bigger shift in how Saudi Arabia wants to be seen, and how Saudi women are driving that transformation.
A race of firsts and futures
Rally Jameel is the Middle East’s first women-only navigational rally, and the 2025 edition was its boldest yet. Forty-five teams representing 37 countries navigated landscapes from ancient Nabataean routes to modern desert highways. The rally is less about speed and more about strategy, requiring endurance, precision, and adaptability. These are qualities that reflect the rally’s broader mission of empowerment.
“It is this vibrant mix of experience and fresh energy that makes the rally so special,” said Munir Khoja, Managing Director of Jameel Motorsport. “With its expanded route and increasing international recognition, Rally Jameel not only advances women’s participation in motorsport, but also embodies the spirit of Vision 2030 by showcasing the natural beauty, cultural richness, and adventure tourism potential of our region.”
That Vision 2030 goal, to empower Saudi women and expand their role across all sectors, is what gives Rally Jameel its deeper meaning. It is not just about cars. It is about creating space for women to lead, compete, and thrive in arenas where they were long excluded.
The rally route as national narrative
This year’s journey began in Petra and moved through Saudi Arabia’s Tabuk, AlUla, Hail, and Qassim. Each stage was carefully curated to showcase the country’s natural beauty and cultural depth. The rally route itself became a form of soft power. It was a rolling spotlight on Saudi Arabia’s adventure tourism ambitions, supported by the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation and FIA Women in Motorsport.
Al Qassim, where the final leg unfolded, offered one of the most technically challenging stretches of the race. Navigating from open desert to cultivated oases, teams faced sharp transitions and strategic dilemmas. But it was also a symbolic finish line, a convergence of agriculture, heritage, and progress.
Hosting the closing ceremony, Qassim Governor Prince Dr. Faisal bin Mishaal bin Saud bin Abdulaziz called the rally “a shining milestone in the Kingdom’s support for motorsport,” praising it as a platform that elevates the role of women in line with national transformation goals.
The women behind the wheel
This year, Saudi driver Reem Al-Aboud and her German co-driver Hanna Riehle of Jameel Motorsport were crowned winners of Rally Jameel 2025. They were followed by Saudi Arabia’s Mashael Al-Howaish and South Africa’s Taye Perry, representing the Lexus Racing Team. In third place were Jordanian duo Farah Zakaria and Farah Ateyyat, driving for Al Markazia Toyota.
The diversity of the podium reflected the rally’s growing international stature. It also underscored the rally’s inclusive spirit, where women from different backgrounds come together to compete, collaborate, and celebrate progress.
“This rally is about determination, strategic thinking, and skill,” said last year’s runner-up Maha Al Hamali. “Competing alongside incredible women from around the world fosters a sense of unity and mutual respect.”
Why it matters
In a region where women’s presence across different industries is expanding, Rally Jameel is more than a sporting event. It is a test of equality, a platform for representation, and a lens through which Saudi Arabia can reimagine its global identity.
As the rally’s influence grows, with more countries participating, more international recognition, and more visibility for Saudi landscapes, the event is becoming a flagship for what the Kingdom hopes to achieve: a modern, inclusive society rooted in culture, empowered by innovation, and driven by women.
In the words of Munir Khoja: “This year’s edition reflects the spirit of exploration, resilience, and cross-cultural connection that has always defined Rally Jameel, and we are extremely proud to support this journey and the incredible women driving it forward.”
As Saudi Arabia continues to accelerate its reform agenda, Rally Jameel shows that change does not just come from policies. Sometimes, it comes from the passenger seat of a four-by-four, navigating the desert, map in hand, eyes on the horizon.
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