Cambodia is set to partner neighbours Thailand in co-hosting the 2011 Asian Cross Country Car Rally, which is set to start this Saturday in the coastal Thai resort town of Pattaya and take the chequered flag in front of the Angkor Wat temple in Siem Reap four days and 1,875 kilometres later.

As many as 14 rally drivers from India, Japan, Thailand and Malaysia will tear through some of the most challenging cross country terrain in cars of different makes, according to Vath Chamroeun, Secretary General of the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia.

“There will be another 29 cars travelling with the rallyists, involving organisers, medical staff and security personnel,” he said.

“We have no [Cambodian] participants in this rally, [but] we feel privileged and honoured to be co-hosts to promote sports and tourism.”

Rally cars will be driven through the Poipet international border gate in Banteay Meanchey province next Wednesday to complete a final leg of 185 kilometres to Siem Reap.

Cambodia to host China-ASEAN race

Cambodia will host the end-up segment of the speed-based open class China-ASEAN Car race-rally on October 7 and 8.

The event, which marks the 20th anniversary of the bilateral relations between China and ASEAN, is part of a month-long commemoration beginning on September 9 and including an international touring assembly and a journalists rally.

“For the first time we will have two Cambodian cars taking part in this event. We will host the final leg of this rally race between Siem Reap and Phnom Penh,” said NOCC Secretary General Vath Chamroeun.