Stage set for Dramatic World Cup Action in Dubai International Baja Powered by Nissan and AW Rostamani
The rolling dunes and plains of Al Qudra desert give a remarkable stage this weekend break when the Dubai International Baja powered by Nissan and AW Rostamani delivers another exhilarating phase of World Cup cross country rallying at its best.
Taking place the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai, the occasion is the 2nd round of this year's FIA World Cup for Cross Nation Rallies for autos and buggies and the opening round of the FIM Bajas World Cup for bikes and quads.
Launched in 2014 by the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE (ATCUAE) to highlight a new instructions for rallying in the Emirates, the event has drawn in an impressive line-up of 88 rivals from 19 countries for its second version, and two days of amazing activity will unravel.
Leading the chase for the cars title however dealing with powerful resistance from abroad is the UAE's Sheikh Khalid Al Qassimi, in 2014's runner up and top seed this time around as he plannings to go one better together with French co-driver Xavier Panseri in his Peugeot Abu Dhabi Racing Group 3008 DKR.
The top seed in the bikes category is another knowledgeable UAE contender, Mohammed Al Balooshi, that ended up third last year and has actually set his views on an initial World Cup rally triumph to include in his haul of Arab electric motor cross titles after a significant initiative to finish the gruelling Dakar Rally in January, 2018.
The cars, buggies, bikes and quads will be flagged far from the ritualistic start at Dubai Autodrome, the new Rally HQ, at 5pm tomorrow night (Thursday 8 March) in an event supported by the Federal government of Dubai, Dubai Cops, Dubai District and the General Authority of Sports.
" This is a very exciting event as it aims the means ahead for rallying in the UAE and the Gulf region all at once," said Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the ATCUAE and the Emirates Motor Sport Federation, and FIA Vice President for sporting activity, at today's main interview.
" The baja format of rallying is normally much more suited to our desert terrain, and the charm it has for chauffeurs and bikers is stressed by the number and quality of entries."
Kalyana Sivagnanam, President for Middle East & Regional Vice President for Africa, Middle East and India, Nissan said: "We are proud to be funding this occasion momentarily year, as the motorsports scene in the UAE remains to expand from toughness to toughness. Nissan is deeply dedicated to advancing motorsports and rallying around the globe, and the Dubai International Baja is a considerable event that is delighted in by lovers and fans in the UAE and abroad."
Salah Yamout, Director, Sales & Marketing Arabian Automobiles Co. /AW Rostamani Group, said: "The chance to sustain the national motor sport authority in its efforts making rallying even more affordable, and in the process attract even more local-based rivals, is just what attracts us. We expect making certain that the Dubai International Baja goes from strength to strength."
Faisal Al Sahlawi, General Manager, Dubai Autodrome, commented: "We are extremely happy to be prolonging the really close functioning partnership we enjoy with the ATCUAE. It's a partnership which is committed to delivering an ever before expanding calendar of quality automobile racing activities on a world-class phase."
Tariq Ahmed Al Wahedi, Chief Executive Officer, Agthia Group PJSC, said: "Our longstanding organization with the ATCUAE offers a perfect platform to advertise Al Ain Water. At Agthia, we comprehend the developing requirements of our consumers and partners and always aim to meet these through innovation.
" AL AIN VITAMIN D is a terrific instance of knowing this commitment. This item not just hydrates however likewise supplements a portion of the day-to-day intake of Vitamin D.
" We take pride in the vital role we play in ensuring that everybody associated with the occasion, competitors, volunteers, officials and media, are all effectively hydrated in the desert and have their everyday dose of Vitamin D."
The Nissan Patrol is the main car for the Dubai International Baja, and Emirati Abdulla Al Heraiz partnered by Omani co-driver Abdul Haleem drives among five gotten in for the World Cup rally.
The powerful align of cars and trucks, buggies, bikes and quads take on a demanding 174 km special stage running through the dramatic Al Qudra desert surface on Friday and once more the complying with morning, with the event finishing at Dubai Autodrome on Saturday (March 10).
With Al Qassimi leading the automobiles right into activity, he will be followed away by Czech Martin Prokop and co-driver Jan Tomanek in the Ford F150 Evo which provided second place in the first round of this year's FIA World Cup series in Russia's northern forest.
Russians Vladimir Vasilyev and Konstantin Zhiltsov, winners of the Abu Dhabi Desert Obstacle in 2014 and 2015, are seeded 3rd in a Mini One in advance of 2017 FIA World Cup runner-up, Poland's Jakub Przygonski, accompanied by Belgian co-driver Tom Colsoul in one more Mini.
Next away in a Toyota Hilux Overdrive is Saudi Arabia's Yaser Seaidan, 5th total in 2015's FIA World Cup standings and 5th in Russia recently, partnered by Russian co-driver Aleksei Kuzmich.
Mansour Al Helei, winner of the T2 production course last year, tips up right into a T1 prototype Nissan Pick-up partnered by fellow-Emirati co-driver Khalid Al Kendi.
Back in Dubai in search of a 2nd successive buggies success is Ukrainian Vadym Prytuliak that drives solo in a Polaris RZR.
With Al Balooshi leading hopes for a home bikes accomplishment, he has strong assistance from UAE-based Shannon O'Connor, Abdulla Bin Dakhan, Mohamed Anis and last year's runner-up Frenchman Benjamin Melot.
Kuwait's Fahad Al Musallam is going after a 2nd successive victory in the quads group on his Yahamah 700 Raptor.
