Mohammed Ben Sulayem – created a piece of FIA cross country rallying history 
UAE-based British rider Sam Smith was the bikes winner 
Saudi Arabia’s Yazeed Al Rajhi and British co-driver Michael Orr won the cars title 
Motorsport community helped us repay Government trust to secure return of World Cup rallying – Sulayem
Dubai, UAE, 22 February, 2021: Mohammed Ben Sulayem has paid tribute to individual competitors, teams, sponsors and volunteers for a “fantastic” combined effort to ensure a safe and successful fourth edition of the Dubai International Baja.
Ben Sulayem, President of the Emirates Motorsports Organization, said today that the COVID-19 Protocol put in place in conjunction with the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA), had been observed meticulously, repaying Government of Dubai trust in a secure return to World Cup rallying in the emirate.
“We’re extremely grateful to everyone who took part in the event for ensuring that the COVID-19 measures put in place in line with government requirements were followed with maximum respect to ensure the safety of everyone involved,” said Ben Sulayem, the FIA Vice President for Sport.
“This was the result of a fantastic combined effort by competitors, teams, sponsors and volunteers who gave us 100 per cent support and cooperation from start to finish to secure the event.”
Held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai, the Dubai International Baja was sponsored by Dubai Electricity & Water Authority, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park and Arabian Automobiles Nissan.
Based at the Innovation Centre located at the Solar Park, the rally entered the record books as the first FIA World Cup cross-country event to be run on solar power.
Ruled out last year by the COVID-19 emergency, the Dubai International Baja was given the official go ahead on NCEMA approval of stringent COVID-19 Protocol designed by the EMSO.
Government backing for the event included the support of the General Authority of Sports, Dubai Customs, Dubai Health Authority, Dubai Police, Dubai Municipality, Emarat, Dubai Media Inc and Mai Dubai.
“The Government of Dubai placed great trust in us to bring back World Cup rallying to the emirate, and ensure that the event was run safely, and the support provided was crucial to its success,” said Ben Sulayem.
The second round of the 2021 FIA World Cup for Cross Country Bajas for cars and first round of the FIM Bajas World Cup for bikes attracted 93 entries of 28 nationalities.
With the rally taking place across the dunes and plains of the Al Qudra desert, the EMSO was able to satisfy requirements for events to be run well away from public areas, in the process highlighting its commitment to sustainable development of the sport.
It became only the third national sporting body in the world, in 2015, to receive the highest recognition
for sustainable development initiatives matching environmental goals of the FIA, motor sport’s governing body.
Since then, at events including the F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the EMSO has being actively doing more to minimise waste, promote recycling and use of recycled materials, and reduce consumption.
Sam Smith at the podium 
Yazeed Al Rajhi and Michael Orr at the podium
Emirati Al Suwaidi powers his way to quads triumph in Al Qudra desert
Dubai, UAE, 20 February, 2021: Saudi Arabia’s Yazeed Al Rajhi completed an emphatic first victory in the Dubai International Baja today while UAE-based British rider Sam Smith recorded his maiden bikes triumph in the event after a dramatic climax to the double World Cup rally
Partnered by British co-driver Michael Orr in a Toyota Hilux Overdrive, Al Rajhi won the second round of this year’s FIA World Cup for Cross Country Bajas by an emphatic margin of 33mins 49 secs from the UAE’s Khalid Al Qassimi and German Dirk Von Zitzewitz in an Abu Dhabi Racing Peugeot 3008 DKR
After opening up a lead of more than 21 minutes on the first leg, the Saudi dominated again over the 194 kms Arabian Automobiles Nissan Special Stage, while Al Qassimi snatched second place from Yasir Seaidan and Aleksei Kuzmich after an earlier collision with the Saudi’s Mini John Cooper Works Rally.
It happened when the Emirati slid over a big dune and collided with the Mini which had become stuck in the notoriously soft sand of the Al Qudra desert.
The French pairing of Pierre Lachaume and Loic Minaudier in their PH Sport Zephyr finished fourth and also claimed the T3 buggies crown. Taking fifth place overall, Pavel Lebedev and Kiril Shubin landed the T4 title in a CAN AM Maverick. Dane Andreas Borgmann topped the national class in his CAN-AM Maverick X.
Smith, lying third overnight, came through for a major win after the two UAE-based South Africans ahead of him on the first leg both saw their victory hopes shattered today in the opening round of this year’s FIM Bajas World Cup.
Defending champion Aaron Mare, the first leg leader by 2 mins 20 secs, was halted when his Honda blew its engine. Mark Ackerman, winner in 2017, reached the finish ahead on his Husqvarna only to be relegated to fifth place by a 20 minute time penalty for missing a waypoint.
The biggest performance of the day came from Martin Michek of the Czech Republic, who set the fastest stage time on his Husqvarna, by almost ten minutes from Smith, to claim second place after shaking off the effects of a hard fall on the opening leg. Smith’s winning margin was 1min 31 secs.
The UAE’s 2018 rally winner and World Cup champion Mohammed Al Balooshi, riding a Husqvarna, collected the third podium position, despite a crash and GPS problems.
Fellow-Emirati rider Sultan Al Balooshi, lying fourth overnight, was evacuated to hospital by helicopter for X-rays after injuring his right side and lower back in a crash on the stage.
Another Emirati, Mansoor Al Suwaidi on a Yamaha YFZ 450 R, recorded an overwhelming quads victory by more than 4hrs 18 mins from Saudi Haitham Al Tuwayjiri on another Yamaha.
Taking place under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai, the Dubai International Baja is sponsored by Dubai Electricity & Water Authority, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park and Arabian Automobiles Nissan.
The Rally had been cancelled last year owing to the coronavirus emergency, but the fourth edition was staged in compliance with strict COVID-19 Protocol, and has made history as the first FIA World Cup cross-country event to be run on solar power.
“We’re very happy to have brought World Cup rallying back to Dubai,” said Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the Emirates Motorsports Organization and FIA Vice President for Sport, before the official podium prizegiving at DEWA’s Innovation Centre, the rally HQ. “It’s taken a big team effort to make this happen, and put on a very successful event.”
A jubilant Al Rajhi said at the finish: “The Dubai Baja was really good for us after an unlucky week in the Dakar rally. It has been a difficult rally, which is good as we learn more.
“Today we did not push to a lot, but we did some of the time – on two wheels!. Michael did a great job. I really enjoyed the Baja, and we came to show our support to the organisers in these COVID times.”
New bikes champion Smith said: ““I really enjoyed today. It was very good despite the early part where I couldn’t get my flow. But later I started to ride better and increase the pace, catching up with the leading two riders, Mark and Martin. The Dubai Baja is a really great event and I encourage all riders here in the UAE to take part in this international event which is on our door step.”
Provisional results after Arabian Automobiles Nissan Special Stage
Cars
1. Yazeed Al Rajhi/ Michael Orr (SAU / GBR) / Toyota Hilux Overdrive 5:22.13
2. Khalid Al Qassimi / Dirk Von Zitzewitz (ARE / DEU) / Peugeot 3008 DKR 5:56.02
3. Yasir Seaidan / Aleksei Kuzmich (SAU /RAF) / Mini John Cooper Works Rally 6:00.07
4. Pierre Lachaume / Loic Minaudier (FRA / FRA) / PH – Sport Zephyr 6:18.53
5. Pavel Lebedev / Kiril Shubin (RUS / RUS) / CAN AM Maverick / T4 6:48.46
6. Mshari Al Therifi / Ali Hassan Obaid (KWT / ARE) / CAN AM Maverick / T4 7:18.16
7. Claude Fournier / Szymon Gospodqrczyk (FRA / POL) / CAN AM Maverick 7:33.51
8. Michael Fadel / Craig Tyson (ARE / ARE) / Polaris / T3 8:11.56
9. Laia Sanz / Lucas Cruz (SPA / SPA) / CAN AM Maverick / T4 9:12.34
10. Thomas Bell / Patrick McMurren (ARE /ARE) / Nissan Navara 9:43.07
Bikes
1. Sam Smith (GBR) / KTM SX – F 450 5:50.03
2. Martin Michek (CZE) / Husqvarna SX F450 5:51.34
3. Mohammed Al Balooshi (ARE) / Husqvarna FC 450 6:02.59
4. Abdallah Abuaisheh (JOR) / KTM SX-F 450 6:04.55
5. Mark Ackerman (ZAF) / Husqvarna FX 450 6:09:39
6. Konrad Dabrowski (POL) / KTM SX-F 450 6:23.40
7. Abdulla Dakhan (ARE) / Yamaha YZ 450 F 6:37.27
8. Mishal Al Guneim (SAU) / Husqvarna 450 Rally 6:52.31
9. Darko Marasovic (CRO) / KTM SX – F 450 7:00.13
10. Mirjam Pol (NLD) / Husqvarna FC 450 / 1 7:04.06
INCIDENTS AND MORE COMPETITOR COMMENTS FROM LEG 2
Bikes
106. Abdulmajeed Aakhulaifi (SAU)
Retired with engine problem.
9. Martin Michek (CZE)
“This morning I had a lot of pain after the crash yesterday so my plan for today was to do my best. I pushed hard and then in the last few kms I hit a dune very hard. This made my nose bleed. I am happy to finish. The Baja is very good, but difficult as I am not a dune rider.”
2. Mark Ackerman (ZAF)
“More tricky today with white dunes, very up and down, and some big jumps. Baja is a very good event and I encourage those in Europe to come. Despite the COVID situation, this is a great event.”
7. Mohammed Al Balooshi (ARE)
“Not my best day after the 1st refuel, I had a big crash and lost my GPS and that makes it very difficult to race. I am very upset that Sultan had a big crash. I saw he was down and was very worried. The medics gave me the thumbs up. It is not the greatest of days. For me the most important thing is Sultan. The race does not matter.”
25 Abdallah Abuaishen (JOR)
“It was a tough day and I crashed over a dune a 135k but I am okay.”
8. Konrad Dabrowski (POL)
“I raced better than yesterday after making a few changes to the bike. I felt better following my long break for Dakar. The Baja is really good and I am happy to be here.”
Cars
202. Sheikh Khalid Al Qassimi / Dirk Von Zitzewitz (ARE / DEU)
“Today we found it hard to get a good rhythm going because of the soft sand. Then 60-70 km before the finish we climbed a big dune and heard two alarms, one bike and car 208. Coming over the top we could see 208 and had no room to maneuver so we hit car 208, damaged the rear driver’s side of our car and lost a lot of time.”
214. Pierre Lachaume / Loic Minaudier (FRA / FRA)
“Very good today, no problems, and really good navigation from Loic. The dunes were easier today. This is our first Baja in Dubai and it is a really great international event. I am very happy with it.”
217. Saleh Alsaif / Oriol Vidal Montijano (SAU / SPA)
“It was a nice stage with no problems for us. Except I felt sick because of the heat. We made no mistakes today but lost some time to help Claude (216) who was stuck. The Dubai Baja is nice but tricky with the navigation.”
218. Laia Sanz / Lucas Cruz (SPA / SPA)
“Very good rally. We came here to learn and we did. How to tackle the dunes, how to look after the car being two of the biggest lesson. Very good training.”
209. Thomas Bell / Patrick McMurren (ARE /ARE)
“Our 4th Baja and the best so far. It was adventurous and quite technical with tight tunes and a lot of zig-zag of the route. Hard for the navigator. The organization was fantastic both on and off the course.”
Yazeed Al Rajhi and Michael Orr in their Toyota Hilux Overdrive 
Yasir Seaidan and Aleksei Kuzmich in Mini John Cooper Works Rally 
Khalid Al Qassimi and Dirk Von Zitzewitz in their Peugeot 3008 DKR 
Aaron Mare on his Honda CRF 450 R 
Mark Ackerman on his Husqvarna FX 450 
Sam Smith on KTM SX – F 450
Rally roars into FIA cross country record books across Al Qudra desert
Dubai, UAE, 19 February, 2021: Saudi Arabia’s Yazeed Al Rajhi dominated the opening leg of the Dubai International Baja with a stunning drive today while UAE-based South African rider Aaron Mare moved within reach of back-to-back bikes victories as the rally entered the motor sport record books.
Reunited with long-time British co-driver Michael Orr, Al Rajhi took his Toyota Hilux Overdrive into a lead of 21mins 31 secs over fellow-Saudi Yasir Seaidan, accompanied by Aleksei Kuzmich in a Mini John Cooper Works Rally
The UAE’s Khalid Al Qassimi and German Dirk Von Zitzewitz were just four seconds further adrift in third place in an Abu Dhabi Racing Peugeot 3008 DKR in the second round of the 2021 FIA World Cup for Cross Country Bajas for cars.
Ruled out last year because of the coronavirus emergency, the rally is being staged in compliance with strict COVID-19 Protocol, and it made history today as the first FIA World Cup cross-country event to be run on solar power.
Based at DEWA’s Innovation Centre located at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, the event provided a challenging first leg test for drivers and riders on a 192km passage through the dunes and plains of the Al Qudra desert.
With Al Rajhi taking charge of DEWA’s Innovation Centre Special Stage as he chases a first cars victory in the event, France’s Pierre Lachaume and Loic Minaudier in a PH Sport Zephyr, Pavel Lebedev and Kiril Shubin in a CAN AM Maverick and Claude Fournier with Szymon Gospodqrczyk, also in a CAN AM Maverick, completed the top six.
Lachaume and Minaudier finished the day heading the T3 buggies category while Lebedev and Shubin
were winning the race for the T4 title.
Top-seeded Honda rider Mare, returning to action after a 2019 Dakar Rally crash, produced another impressive display as he moved into a 2 mins 20 secs first leg bikes lead over fellow countryman and 2017 winner Mark Ackerman on a Husqvarna, with British KTM rider Sam Smith in third.
The UAE’s Sultan Al Balooshi on a Husqvarna, Jordanian Abdallah Abuaisheh riding a KTM and the UAE’s 2018 winner and World Cup champion Mohammed Al Balooshi on another Husqvarna completed the top six in the opening round of this year’s FIM Bajas World Cup.
Emirati Mansoor Al Suwaidi on a Yamaha YFZ 450 R was a runaway leader of the quads category with a huge lead of 1hr 38 mins 10 secs from Saudi Haitham Al Tuwayjiri on another Yamaha.
Taking place under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai, the Dubai International Baja is sponsored by Dubai Electricity & Water Authority, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park and Arabian Automobiles Nissan.
“It feels good to welcome back World Cup cross country rallying, especially as we’re setting an example for other events to follow in sustainable motor sport development,” said Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the Emirates Motorsports Organization and FIA Vice President for Sport.
Al Rajhi reached the end of the stage to say: “It was a good day and we drove fast, with Michael doing a good job. We had some technical issues at around 30km and later a puncture. But a good day. And good to have Michael back.”
Al Qassimi said: “The first 20km the car was hesitant on the dunes. We tried different ways but kept getting stuck. Because there has been no rain the sand is very soft so we tried to avoid the dunes as much as possible.”
Mare completed today’s leg to say: “It was good stage, pretty technical in places and some very fast straight flats. This has been my first since crashing in the 2019 Dakar. Since then I have had surgery and been focusing on getting fit.”
The event had started without the top-seeded driver and co-driver combination of Denis Krotov and Konstantin Zhiltsov who arrived in Dubai only for their Mini John Cooper Works Rally to be held up by customs formalities in Saudi Arabia following the Dakar Rally.
Among the early casualties were the UAE’s Yahya Al Helei and Khalid Al Kendi whose Nissan Pick Up went out of the rally with mechanical problems. The surviving drivers and riders next tackle Saturday’s 194 kms Arabian Automobiles Nissan Special Stage which leads to the podium and prizegiving at the Innovation Centre at 5.15pm.
Provisional leading positions after DEWA’s Innovation Centre Special Stage
Cars
1. Yazeed Al Rajhi/ Michael Orr (SAU / GBR) / Toyota Hilux Overdrive 2:40:57.0
2. Yasir Seaidan / Aleksei Kuzmich (SAU /RAF) / Mini John Cooper Works Rally 3:02:28.0
3. Khalid Al Qassimi / Dirk Von Zitzewitz (ARE / DEU) / Peugeot 3008 DKR 3:02:32.0
4. Pierre Lachaume / Loic Minaudier (FRA / FRA) / PH – Sport Zephyr 3:13.43.0
5. Pavel Lebedev / Kiril Shubin (RUS / RUS) / CAN AM Maverick / T4 3:23:51.0
6. Claude Fournier / Szymon Gospodqrczyk (FRA / POL) / CAN AM Maverick 3:28:57.0
7. Mshari Al Therifi / Ali Hassan Obaid (KWT / ARE) / CAN AM Maverick / T4 3:43:47.0
8. Khaled Al Feraihi / Omar Allahim (SAU / SAU) / Nissan Pick Up 4:04:34.0
9. Michael Fadel / Craig Tyson (ARE / ARE) / Polaris / T3 4:25:50.0
10. Laia Sanz / Lucas Cruz (SPA / SPA) / CAN AM Maverick / T4 4:40:58.0
Bikes
1. Aaron Mare (ZAF) / Honda CRF 450 R 2:37:14.0
2. Mark Ackerman (ZAF) / Husqvarna FX 450 2:39:34.0
3. Sam Smith (GBR) / KTM SX – F 450 2:41:08.0
4. Sultan Al Balooshi (ARE) / Husqvarna FC 450 2:41:36.0
5. Abdallah Abuaisheh (JOR) / KTM SX-F 450 2:45:50.0
6. Mohammed Al Balooshi (ARE) / Husqvarna FC 450 2:47:26.0
7. Martin Michek (CZE) / Husqvarna SX F450 2:52:30.0
8. Konrad Dabrowski (POL) / KTM SX-F 450 2:58:53.0
9. Darko Marasovic (CRO) / KTM SX – F 450 3:00:04.0
10. Abdulla Dakhan (ARE) / Yamaha YZ 450 F 3:03:34.0
MORE COMPETITOR COMMENTS FOLLOWING THE OPENING LEG
Bikes
9. Martin Michek (CZE)
He was thoroughly checked out by a doctor for his eyesight, balance and mobility along with a physical inspection to his head and upper body after a crash on the stage. He said: “It was a small crash but I bumped my head. After this rest at the finish I now feel good.”
4. Sam Smith (GBR)
“It was really good, I enjoyed the course and I am feeling pretty fit and strong and was able to catch quite a few riders. Nobody passed me. Really good to be back racing in a high profile event like the Dubai Baja.”
8. Konrad Dabrowski (POL)
“It was a good stage with good organization. I did lose time, mostly on the fast flat sections, so I need to change the set-up of the bike for tomorrow. Today was the first time on this bike.”
3. Sultan Al Balooshi (ARE)
“A great day and really good riding again. I feel good and I am looking forward to tomorrow. This has been my first race since 2019 and it is great to be back racing.”
7. Mohammed Al Balooshi (ARE)
“It was a good stage. Nice terrain and fast – typical Dubai Baja. I lost some time at the refuelling and after that I was caught by Sam (Smith) and Arunas (Gelazninkas). We stayed together and made good time. Then at around 30km from the finish, Arunas had a big crash. I stopped to help him. I stayed with him until he felt better. I fixed his bike and when he was able to ride, albeit slowly, I was able to race on.”
27. Margot Llobera Farre (AND)
“The course was amazing and so much fun for my first rally on this type of bike. It is very heavy and it took me several Kms to get the feel of it and confidence on the sand.”
Cars
208. Yasir Seaidan / Aleksei Kuzmich (SAU / RUS)
“Not easy. We had problems at the start with the turbo, so no boost. Will need to fix this for tomorrow. Also the terrain was very soft and hard to travel across with very low torque.”
14. Pierre Lachaume / Loic Minaudier (FRA / FRA)
“A very good day. The dunes were good and Loic did a perfect job navigating. We had no problem with the soft sand, this car is perfect.”
215. Michael Fadel / Craig Tyson (ARE / ARE)
“It was good and fast in some sections. The soft sand made it difficult in places.”
211. Khaled Al Feraihi / Wleed Alfiuam (SAU / SAU)
“It was fast and difficult at times. The sand was soft and this made the dunes difficult. The car is running well.”
Ben Sulayem says new DEWA partnership can set sustainability trend in rallying
Kuwait’s Fahad Al Musallam, chasing a third quads success, and India’s Aishwarya Pissay, one of
four lady riders contesting the Dubai Baja
India’s Aishwarya Pissay, making her second appearance in Dubai. 
Kuwait’s Fahad Al Musallam – quads winner in 2017 and 2018. 
Khalid Al Qassimi aims to prevent another overseas victory after two runners-up finishes
Dubai, UAE, 18 February, 2021: The Dubai International Baja has a habit of showing what World Cup winners are made of, and expectations are high again this weekend as the fourth edition of the event unfolds in the Al Qudra desert.
The 2021 FIA World Cup for Cross Country Bajas for cars is already up and running, and top-seed Denis Krotov arrived in Dubai from the sub zero temperatures of the Baja – Northern Forest, where his challenge in this season’s opener ended when he became stuck in a snowdrift.
Partnering Krotov in an X-raid MINI John Cooper Works Rally is Konstantin Zhiltsov, who has twice guided Vladimir Vasilyev, the first round winner, to victory in the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge.
The first three editions of the Dubai Baja brought wins for competitors who went on to take World Cup titles that year. The 2018 bikes champion, Emirati Mohammed Al Balooshi, is seeded seventh this time, such is the strength of the 43-rider line-up for the first round of this year’s FIM Bajas World Cup.
Taking place under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai, the Dubai International Baja is sponsored by Dubai Electricity & Water Authority, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park and Arabian Automobiles Nissan.
Based at DEWA’s Innovation Centre located at the Solar Park, the rally enters the record books as the first FIA World Cup cross-country event to be run on solar power.
“We’re very happy to be setting a trend towards sustainability in rallying, and we’re expecting another classic baja event,” said Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the Emirates Motorsports Organization and FIA Vice President for Sport.
Nissan’s sponsorship of the event for a fourth year extends a long standing partnership between the manufacturer and the EMSO, the national motor sport authority.
Michel Ayat, Chief Executive Officer – AWR Automotive, said: “The Dubai International Baja is another exemplary event that further consolidates the emirate’s leading global position in the world of sports. As the official automotive sponsor, AW Rostamani Group consistently supports events of this caliber and is grateful to Mohammed Ben Sulayem for his unwavering drive and ambition.
“2021 is a year of recovery and a return to life as we know it, and it gives us great honour and privilege at Arabian Automobiles to be once again sponsoring the rally. We are grateful for all the initiatives that our wise leadership introduce and for all the support they offer to international events of this nature that strengthen Dubai’s influence on a regional and global scale.”
Friday’s 192km DEWA’s Innovation Centre Special Stage, carving through the Al Qudra dunes, presents a big test of desert driving skill and mechanical muscle. After an overnight halt, the survivors tackle Saturday’s 194 kms Arabian Automobiles Nissan.Special Stage leading to the finish at the Innovation Centre.
Following successive Dubai victories by Poland’s Jakub Przygonski, two of the Arab world’s leading drivers aim to prevent a third successive overseas victory.
This could mean a big duel between the UAE’s Khalid Al Qassimi, twice a runner-up and partnered by German Dirk Von Zitzewitz in an Abu Dhabi Racing Peugeot 3008 DKR, and Saudi Arabia’s Yazeed Al Rajhi, joined by British co-driver Michael Orr in a Toyota Hilux Overdrive.
Czech Miroslav Zapletal with Slovakian Marek Sykora in a Ford F150 Evo, the UAE’s Yahya Al Helei and Khalid Al Kendi in a Nissan Pick-up, and fellow Emiratis Khalid Al Jafla and Mirza Ali in a Toyota Hilux, complete the top six out of 29 car entries.
With 15 buggies on show, Britain’s Conrad Rautenbach in a Zephyr heads the T3 class. Top seed in T4, Saudi Saleh Alsaif in a Maverick X3, is up against France’s first round winner, Claude Fournier, and Spanish bikes star Laia Sainz, 13-time Trials World Champion, who moves from two wheels to four.
Two UAE-based South Africans lead the charge in the opening round of this year’s FIM Bajas World Cup for bikes. Last year’s winner Aaron Mare on a Honda and 2017 champion Mark Ackerman riding a Husqvarna, top the seeds ahead of the UAE’s Sultan Al Balooshi and British KTM rider Sam Smith.
Lithuanian Arunas Gelazninkas and Saudi Mishal Alghuneim complete the top six.
A quartet of Saudi riders, Haitham Altuwayjiri, Faisal Alsuwayh, Abdulmajeed Aakhulaifi and Hani Al Nomsi, are out to block a third Dubai Baja win for Kuwait’s Fahad Al Musallam whose hat-trick attempt in 2019 was halted by first leg mechanical failure. Another Kuwaiti, Sarah Khuraibet, is among four lady bike riders in action, along with Andorra’s Margot Llobera Farre, the Netherlands’ Mirjam Pol and India’s Aishwarya Pissay, making her second appearance in the event.
DEWA partnership with national motor sport authority takes event into record books
Dubai, UAE, 16 February, 2021: The Dubai International Baja will enter the record books this weekend as the first FIA World Cup cross-country event to be run on solar power.
As the result of a new partnership between the Emirates Motorsports Organization and Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), the rally will be based at DEWA’s Innovation Centre located at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park from 18-20 February.
HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA.
“DEWA supports the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 that was launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and aims to diversify the energy mix and to provide 75% of Dubai’s total power capacity from clean energy sources by 2050,” said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA.
“We are glad to support the first FIA World Cup cross-country event to be run on solar power at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park. The Innovation Centre is a global hub for renewable and clean energy innovation that is expected to contribute to shaping the future of sustainable energy in Dubai and externally.”
“Our cooperation with the Emirates Motorsports Organization and the International Automobile Federation comes in line with our ongoing efforts to enhance Dubai’s position as an international pioneer in developing the clean and renewable energy sector, and in finding alternative solutions to conventional energy. This supports the sustainable development of the Emirate.”
The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park hosts Dubai International Baja 2021.
“The use of this facility means that electrical power provided to Rally HQ and the Service Park to run the event is generated from sustainable solar power,” said EMSO President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the FIA Vice President for Sport.
“None of this would have been possible without the support of the Government of Dubai for our sport, and its leadership in sustainability. We’re setting an important trend, and hope other motor sport events in the region and overseas will follow.”
Taking place under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, the Dubai International Baja is sponsored by Dubai Electricity & Water Authority, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park and Arabian Automobiles Nissan.
Partnered by German co-driver Dirk Von Zitzewitz in an Abu Dhabi Racing Peugeot 3008 DKR, the UAE’s Khalid Al Qassimi has set his sights on victory in the second round of the 2021 FIA World Cup for Cross Country Bajas after finishing runner up in 2017 and 2019./
The winners of the bikes title for the first three editions of the event, UAE-based South Africans Aaron Mare and Mark Ackerman, along with Emirati Mohammed Al Balooshi, are among the contenders again in the opening round of this year’s FIM Bajas World Cup.
The rally will be held from 18 to 20 February at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, the largest single-site solar park in the world based on the Independent Power Producer (IPP) model. It has a planned production capacity of 5,000 MW by 2030, with investments totalling AED 50 billion.
When completed, it will save over 6.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually. HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has launched the Solar Park and DEWA is implementing the project.
The EMSO’s new partnership with DEWA is a big step forward for the national motor sport authority (ASN) as an organisation committed to sustainable development of the sport.
In 2015, it became only the third ASN in the world, and first in the Middle East, to receive the highest official recognition available for sustainable development initiatives in line with environmental goals of the FIA, motor sport’s governing body.
The EMSO has since increased efforts to minimize waste, promote recycling and use of recycled materials, and use resources more efficiently to reduce consumption at events like the F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
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