Dania Akeel
Rally racing // Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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Dania Akeel, a pioneering Saudi Arabian driver, has made history by becoming the first female from her country to compete in the Dakar Rally and win the FIA Middle East Baja Cup. Born September 26, 1988, in Jeddah, she has established herself as a formidable competitor in both motorcycle and car racing.
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FULL BIO: Dania Akeel
Dania Akeel is a trailblazing Saudi Arabian motorsports racer who made history as the first Saudi woman to compete in the Dakar Rally, finishing 8th in the T3 class during her debut in 2022.
EARLY YEARS
Born on September 26, 1988 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Dania grew up in an environment that nurtured her passion for motorsports. Her home was filled with dirt bikes, which she and her female cousins rode regularly, while her mother became the first woman in Jeddah to acquire a driver’s license. After attending Prior’s Field Boarding School in the UK, she studied modern history and politics at Royal Holloway University of London before earning a master’s degree in international business at Hult Business School.
EARLY SUCCESS
Akeel’s competitive racing journey began with motorcycles, earning the title of Rookie of the Year while racing a Ducati Panigale in the UAE National Sportsbike Superseries in 2019. Her transition to cross-country rallying came in 2021 at the Sharqiyah Baja, where she claimed victory in her first race in the T3 class of the FIA World Cup for Bajas. This early triumph catalyzed her rapid ascent in rally racing, particularly after partnering with South Racing and securing official support from the Saudi Motor Sports Federation.
NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS
- 2022: Finished 8th in the T3 category at the Dakar Rally, her debut in the prestigious event.
- 2023: Completed all 12 stages of the Dakar Rally despite facing setbacks.
- 2023: Finished second in the FIA World Cup for Bajas series.
- 2024: Won the FIA Middle East Baja Cup, becoming the first woman to achieve this title.
- 2024: Finished 2nd in the W2RC championship with notable performances in events like the Qatar Baja and Rallye du Maroc.
- 2024: Secured victory in the SSV category and claimed the overall title at the Dubai International Baja.
REPUTATION
As the first Saudi woman to compete in the Dakar Rally and the first Arab woman to win the T3 title in the FIA World Cup for Bajas, Akeel has established herself as a pioneering force in Middle Eastern motorsport. Her remarkable transition from motorcycle racing to cross-country rallying has earned her respect throughout the motorsport community. Beyond her racing accomplishments, she has become a powerful symbol of female empowerment in the Arab world, inspiring young women to pursue careers in motorsports and challenge traditional gender roles in sports.
FUTURE GOALS/PLANS
Looking beyond 2025, Dania aims to continue developing her skills and pursuing her passion for motorsports at the highest level. Her strategic partnerships, including collaboration with Abdul Latif Jameel Motors Saudi Arabia, position her to further promote female participation in motorsports while aligning with Saudi Vision 2030’s objectives to empower women. With her dedication to continuous improvement and breaking barriers, Akeel is poised to remain at the forefront of cross-country rallying for years to come.
References:
The female Saudi trailblazer making waves on the Dakar
World Rally Raid Championship – Dania Akeel
Dakar – Dania Akeel
Jameel Motorsport – Dania Akeel
Dania Akeel’s Dedication Will be Unleashed in Dakar Rally 2024
Abdul Latif Jameel Motors boosts female motorsports in new partnership with Saudi champion Dania Akeel
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