The Dubai International Baja has been held annually since the late 1970s
Photo: Dubai Media Office
The UAE’s oldest motoring event, the Dubai International Baja, was held on Thursday 1 December. The race is a world-class cross-country rally that brings together racers from all over the world.
Coinciding with the UAE’s 51st National Day, the event takes place from December 1 to 3. Based in the Dubai Festival City, the Dubai International Baja has a demanding course that runs through the Al Qudra desert in Dubai.
The Dubai International Baja this year has the participation of 42 cars and 43 bikes from 30 countries. The event is being broadcast in 180 countries around the world.
Under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, flagged off the Dubai International today Baja (formerly known as the Dubai International Rally), organized by the Emirates Motorsport Organization (EMSO) in collaboration with the Dubai Sports Council.
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The event was attended by Mohammed Ahmed ben Sulayem, president of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA); and Omar Abdullah Al Futtaim, Vice President and CEO of the Al Futtaim Group.
Featured on the 2022 FIA Cross Country Bajas World Cup and 2022 FIM BAJAS World Cup calendars, the Dubai International Baja also marks the season finale of the two prestigious championships. The Dubai Baja is expected to be an exciting culmination of the season as both World Cups hang in the balance.
Formerly known as the Dubai International Rally, the event has been held annually since the late 1970s and has been organized by EMSO (formerly ATCUAE) since 1997. The introduction of a shorter low format better suited to desert regions made the event accessible not only for cars. but also buggies, bicycles and quad bikes. This transformation has been a success with a large number of participants from across the region and the world.