Dakar 2024: Dania Akeel, the Saudi driver who competed when women couldn’t drive in Saudi

When the The Dakar Rally has landed in Saudi Arabia, in 2020, everything was new. The heat of South America, both climatic and popular, contrasted with the winter and the public’s almost indifference towards an activity that seemed to take place in absolute solitude. Due to the vast deserts, as well as the impartial attitude of the Saudis.

The departure ceremony took place in Jeddah, off the Red Sea, and each of the crews presented themselves along the ramp. Those in charge of the presentation were the same ones who animated the South American activities, but a girl joined in and made the announcements in English. And with another tone, clearly.

I was there Dania Akkel, the young local woman who, at 30 years oldwhile in her country women were not allowed to drive vehicles, she did so in England, where she lived to complete her studies, while in Dubai she obtained a license to race motorbikes.

On June 14, 2018, Saudi Arabia lifted the restriction for women. And from there women began to gain ground on public roads. At the same time, Dania accompanied this change with her participation in Motorsport.

“I think the best way to empower women is to drive well and be competitive”commented Akeel, who very relaxed and friendly waited for the Marathon stage while the Taurus team prepared its vehicle to continue in the 2024 Dakar.

“Auto racing is not segmented by gender. I have driven in Europe, but have had no problem with not being able to drive in Saudi. Obviously when it got cleared it was amazing. “This change has had a great impact on society, at all levels.”He explained.

Akeel obtained his driving license at the age of 17 in England. He studied there, where he finally earned a degree in History and Politics. But at the age of 20, already in Dubai, he obtained permission to race motorbikes.

On that same ceremonial ramp in Jeddah, they asked him if he wanted to run a Dakar, and without hesitation he said yes. Akeel’s image is formidable for this transformation that Saudi society is experiencing and for the participation of women in various fields, in addition to driving on public roads.

It debuted and was eighth among light vehicles. There she was accompanied by the Uruguayan Sergio Lafuente. “Osito”, former quadricycle driver, opened the Dakar, inside the small cabin.

His image has increased. So much so that the Saudi Motorsport Federation has begun to accompany her. In addition to the Dakar, he also participated in the Baja Cross Country World Championship, where last year, against the favoritism of Nasser Al Attiyah and Carlos Sainz, he won the crown.

Dania is a professional pilot. He also holds motivational conferences in companies and collaborates with the representatives of multinationals that have established themselves in his country. However, none of these companies appear as sponsors on their racing cars.

A fast food restaurant or a leader in the construction and road machinery industry, for example, are not the best examples of businesses used by most men.

In addition to the Dakar, where he races with the Taurus team and She is the partner of the Argentine couple Nicolás Cavigliasso and Valentina Piertegarini, the Cross Country World Cup will also participate. You will therefore participate in the classic Desafío Ruta 40 in Argentina next June.

“I don’t know Argentina. I’ve actually never traveled to South America. They told me wonderful things about the country, about wonderful areas, about its landscapes. “I am very eager to meet”highlighted Dania while waiting to leave with her light vehicle headed to the Marathon Stage field.

With a broad smile, he received dates from a spectator who was in the area, took photos with the team’s neighbors, stretched out his long, lean body as mechanics adjusted the details. Dania received permission from the Federation to compete abroad, and boy, did she make it count.

“You have to be passionate about what you do. It’s the best way to face challenges. I enjoy every moment and here I am, in the middle of the Dakar, very happy”, concluded Dania Akeel. The girl who put all of herself into making her dreams come true. And even more so, she competes in Saudi Arabia, the same country that is evolving and where at the beginning she couldn’t even drive her own car.

After the stop in Riyadh, the competition resumes

The 2024 Dakar has crossed the meridian and begins its second half in Saudi Arabia. The pilots enjoyed the free time to rest. Those belonging to the official teams enjoyed the luxury hotels of the Arab capital, while the others did so in the camp.

Already On Sunday the engines will start early, at 6pm, to complete the 7th stagedirection Al Duwadimi, on a route of 773 kilometres, with a special of 483.

At the moment, Ricky Brabec is a leader in the motorcycle industry, while Kevin Benavides is sixth, at 28.33, and Luciano 8th, at 47’26 (15 minute penalty for engine change). Furthermore, Diego Llanos continues in 26th place, Santiago Rostan in 41st and Sebastián Urquía, in 86th.

On quadricycles the Argentine Manuel Andujar is the leader, with an advantage of 18.53 over the Frenchman Alex Giroud.

Among the cars, the Spaniard Carlos Sainz, with Audi, leads the standings, with a 20 minute advantage over his teammate, Mattias Ekstrom, and third, Sebastien Loeb. Juan Cruz Yacopini of Mendoza placed 30th. In light vehicles, Challenger, Nicolás Cavigliasso placed eighth, and David Zille remained hooked.