Egypt's Zeus Racing Team is set to make history as the country's first team to participate in the Dakar Classic 2027, a prestigious rally event to be held in Saudi Arabia. The team, led by founder and driver Samir Sami Abdel Razek, will compete in the classic category, which features cars over 20 years old. The team's participation was announced at a press conference held at the Egyptian Automobile and Touring Club in Cairo.
The Zeus Racing Team comprises Samir Sami Abdel Razek, founder and driver, Alain Bizanson, team navigator, and engineer Moataz Emran Saleh, team manager. According to Samir Sami, the idea of participating in the Dakar Classic 2027 was born out of his passion for watching previous editions of the rally, particularly the classic category. He noted that the team's car has undergone significant modifications to meet the competition's requirements.
The team's car has been modified to include suspension, cooling system, tire, and wheel upgrades, as well as safety features and an additional fuel tank. These modifications aim to enable the car to cover long distances of up to 5,000 to 7,000 kilometers over three weeks. Samir Sami emphasized that the team's primary goal is to reach the finish line and make Egypt proud.
Alain Bizanson, team navigator, described the participation in the Dakar Classic as a dream and a significant challenge. He noted that completing a rally of such long distances requires the integration of all team elements, including the driver, car, navigation, and technical equipment. Bizanson expressed his confidence that the team's experience will help them reach the finish line.
Moataz Emran Saleh, team manager, stated that the project began as a dream for Samir Sami before evolving into a comprehensive project with the support of team members and sponsors. He highlighted the Egyptian Automobile and Touring Club's historical role in supporting Egyptian drivers and teams.
The Egyptian Automobile and Touring Club's Racing and Rally Committee Chairman, Raouf Gafar, expressed his pride in supporting Zeus Racing Team's participation in the Dakar Classic. He noted that the club has a 100-year history of supporting Egyptian motorsports and wished the team success in their endeavor.
Wail Abdel Gellil, Deputy General Manager of the Egyptian Automobile and Touring Club, stated that hosting the press conference is part of the club's historical role in developing Egyptian motorsports. He expressed his hope that Zeus Racing Team's participation will add a new chapter to Egypt's rally history.
Key points
- Zeus Racing Team to be first Egyptian team to participate in Dakar Classic
- Team to compete in classic category with cars over 20 years old
- Event to take place in Saudi Arabia in 2027
