The oldest motoring event in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Dubai International Baja, will make an exciting return next month as the World Rally Cup comes to the UAE with a modern twist.
In its fifth consecutive year under its current format, the Dubai Baja will take place on December 1 and 3 under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai.
Organized by the Emirates Motorsport Organization (EMSO), the governing body of over 140 motorsport events in the UAE each year, along with the continued support of the Government of Dubai, the rally is open to all levels .
With the 2022 FIA Cross Country Bajas World Cup and the 2022 FIM BAJAS World Cup on the calendar, the Dubai International Baja also marks the season finale of the two prestigious championships.
With things so tight at the top of both championships, the Dubai Baja is expected to be an exciting finale to the calendar as both World Cups go down to the wire.
In addition to the show, the Dubai Baja coincides with UAE National Day and will be part of the celebrations at Dubai Festival City. More details of the exciting new venue, which represents a vision to bring sport closer to the people, will be revealed soon.
Khalid Ben Sulayem, President of EMSO, said: “We are grateful for the continued support received from HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Without him we could not deliver such a polished event that brings the best of the rally to Dubai , as well as Dubai’s best in the Bajas World Series.
“We have been working closely with the government authorities, and both the FIA and the FIM, not only to deliver a spectacular show, but also to ensure the highest standards of organization and safety for all involved.
“Dubai Festival City provides an exciting and modern backdrop for the rally. It is home to so many premium events and with the Dubai Baja scheduled for UAE National Day, we expect a very exciting rally.”
Formerly the Dubai International Rally, the event has been held annually since the late 1970s and organized by EMSO (formerly ATCUAE) since 1997. Much of the rally’s development was guided by Mohammed Ben Sulayem, former President of EMSO and current President of the FIA, demonstrating EMSO’s influence and contribution to the sport.
Better suited to desert regions, the introduction of a shorter Baja format made the event accessible not only to cars, but also to buggies, bikes and quads. This transformation has been a success with an endorsement of participants from across the region and internationally.
The Dubai Baja marks a perfect opportunity for grassroots development, with free entry to the 2023 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge available not only to the winners, but also to the highest-level FIA T4 Rookie category and leading rider of the FIM Rally 2 class.
2021 Dubai Baja winner Yazeed Al Rajhi currently leads the FIA Cross-Country Bajas World Cup and will be looking to finish the year on a high in Dubai, having started the season with third place in the Ral· him Dakar .
In the FIM Bajas World Cup, the UAE’s own Mohammed Al Balooshi is tied on points at the top of the standings with Fábio Magalhães, having finished fifth in the championship in 2021. With Dubai Baja points counting for double , the rally could determine who takes the title in an exciting final showdown.
Fans can watch the official start ceremony from 19:00 at Dubai Festival City on Thursday 1 December, and before that, the drivers will warm up by going through the shakedown from 8:00 to 16:00.