Dubai, UAE, 13th December 2024 – In a strategic partnership with Emirates Motorsports Organization (EMSO), Al Jalila Foundation, the giving arm of Dubai Health, has been designated as its official charity partner for the 2025 racing season. This collaboration underscores EMSO’s commitment to community development and supporting patient care by leveraging the transformative power of sports philanthropy.
The partnership aligns with the UAE National Sports Strategy 2031 launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, which aims to enhance community well-being through sports.
Throughout the upcoming season, EMSO will dedicate fundraising efforts and awareness campaigns to champion Al Jalila Foundation’s mission to transform lives through medical innovation. Fans, athletes, and sponsors will have the opportunity to contribute to healthcare initiatives aligned with Dubai Health’s ‘Patient First’ promise.
The Dubai International Baja is a premier off-road motorsport event held annually in the UAE. The hallmark of EMSO’s racing calendar celebrates 45 years since its inception as the Dubai International Rally in 1979. Now, in its eighth edition under the Baja format, it draws top competitors from around the world.
For the first time, Al Jalila Foundation joined as the official charity partner. The newly forged partnership will fuel a series of awareness and fundraising initiatives throughout the 2025 racing season.
Dr. Amer Al Zarooni, CEO of Al Jalila Foundation, expressed his gratitude: “We are honored to be EMSO’s charity partner of choice. EMSO is a leader in motorsports that shares our commitment to community impact. This partnership will showcase our patient care programs to the global motorsports community and bring vital support to life-transforming programs. Together, we aim to drive positive change and advance healthcare innovation.”
Mahir Badri, CEO of Emirates Motorsports Organization, emphasized the significance of the partnership: “Motorsports unite people through connection and inspiration. By joining forces with Al Jalila Foundation, we can channel this energy to support transformative healthcare programs. This partnership embodies our shared belief in the power of sport to drive meaningful change and social impact.”
Following the signing ceremony at Al Jalila Foundation, EMSO CEO Mahir Badri, joined by international participants from the 2024 edition of the Dubai International Baja, visited Al Jalila Children’s Hospital to meet young patients, spread joy and inspiration while learning about the hospital’s pioneering approach to pediatric care. Emirati rider and world champion Mohammed Al Balooshi was among the racers who visited children and their families.
Dubai Health’s vision is to advance health for humanity through the integration of care, learning, discovery and giving. Al Jalila Foundation advances the Giving mission to impact lives and shape the future of health through philanthropy.
For more information, visit: www.aljalilafoundation.ae
- Historic Event and Championship Success for local Star Al Balooshi
- Return to Hatta Proves a Hit With Fans and Competitors
- Dubai International Baja Going from Strength to Strength
- Famous FIA Middle East Baja Cup Victory for Akeel
Dubai, UAE, 30th November 2024: Following the epic landscape and the spectacular success of the Hatta stage on Friday the crews of Dubai International Baja turned their attention to the more familiar, if no less daunting challenges of the dunes in Al Qudra Desert on Al-Futtaim Toyota Stage 2.
The crews faced 195km of timed stages with 164km of road section for a total of 359km of driving and riding on another hot day in the desert with temperatures above 30 degrees celsius.
Continuing his winning form from Hatta on Friday, Brazil’s Lucas Moraes set the fastest time on day two for Toyota Gazoo Racing in his Toyota Hilux co driven by Armand Monleon. The duo carries a 6m05s advantage into the final day, though, as the they are in the `experimental category’, they are not eligible for the official win and it is the second fastest team which is controlling the overall lead.
That honour is held by reigning champion Nasser Al Attiyah whose bid for a 13th victory in Dubai’s famous international rally is still very much on target after a strong day in the familiar dunes of Al Qudra at the wheel of his Nasser Racing Taurus T3 buggy with Pablo Moreno in the co driver’s seat.
Portuguese pairing Joao Ferreira and Filipe Palmeiro are in a podium position ahead of the final day, just over eight and a half minutes in arrears in their X-Raid Mini JCW Team Mini.
Rounding out the top five are Ferreira’s X-Raid Mini tram-mate Denis Krotov of Kyrgyzstan and Frenchman Ronan Chabot (Overdrive Racing Toyota Hilux) with the leading five cars covered by just 10m13s.
Speaking after the stage Lucas Moraes was delighted with his day in the desert, having revelled in a battle with team mate Seth Quintero and his co-driver Dennis Zenz before the latter crew hit suspension and fuel problems and were forced to retire towards the end of the day when it looked like they might be on course for stage honours.
“It was a really nice race,” said Moraes. “My first year that I did (here) was ’22 and the dunes were much more choppy and up and down. This time round it was much fun and you could carry a lot more momentum.
“Seth (Quintero) and I, we were flying. We were passing each other and having fun. Unfortunately they had some problems towards the end because the win would have been for him”
“We’re looking forward to tomorrow and it was nice to bring a stage win for the team who deliver amazing cars so, yeah, keep going.”
Prologue winner Konrad Dabrowski continued his fine form on his first baja rally of the season as he claimed victory on day two among the motorcyclists. The 23-year-old Polish rider will have his sights set higher than just the Junior Class victory after steering his Duust Rally Team KTM 450 to fastest time.
Local star Mohammed Al Balooshi was just 4m46.7s behind in second on his MX Ride Dubai Yamaha 450YZF but the reigning world champion is primed to challenge for a second successive and third career Dubai International Baja victory.
Dubai-based Briton Alex McInnes is very much in the hunt for overall honours in third place overnight with 8m08.6 to make up on day three while UAE’s Sultan Alblooshi and fellow countryman Hamdan Alali round out the top five.
Leading Quad rider on the Yamaha Raptors on day was the UAE’s Abdulaziz Ahli comfortably ahead of Saudi’s Abdulaziz Al Atawi.
The crews now turn their attention to the challenges of Zayed and Rashid Stage 3.
The third and final stage celebrates the moment on 18th February 1968 when His Highness Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the then Ruler of Abu Dhabi met Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai on the border between Abu Dhabi and Dubai to agree on uniting their respective emirates, the starting point for the vision to unite the seven emirates of UAE.
Zayed and Rashid Stage 3 begins at 7am (Sunday 1st December) with the first crews expected to complete the selective sections from 10.45am onwards, after which the teams will return to the Service Park in Dubai Festival Mall where they will be on view to spectators throughout the day.
As on Saturday, there are 195km of timed ‘special stage’ action in Al Qudra Desert on Stage 3 with 164km of road section for a total 359km of driving and riding to and from Dubai Festival City on the final day of action after which the champions of Dubai International Baja will be crowned.
At that point they will have put 867km of driving and riding under their wheels across three days of the most challenging and exhilarating international baja rallying.
The final event interviews, podium ceremony and prize giving will get under way from 18:30 at Dubai Festival City, a final opportunity for fans to salute the drivers and riders at the end of another classic edition of Dubai International Baja.
After Saturday’s Al-Futtaim Toyota Stage 2, Jacques Brent, Managing Director – Toyota and Lexus, Al-Futtaim Motors was a happy to reflect on another great day’s rallying in Al Qudra.
“It’s always competitive so you never know how it’s going to turn out but we’re sure that we have the right competitors and the right products being Toyotas and hopefully we’ll get away with a win.
“It’s a good a good opportunity for us to showcase our products in a competitive format. You know Toyota has been synonymous with racing for more than 50 years of involvement. Dubai Baja obviously suits the products that we have, things like LandCruiser and Hilux, especially the Hilux which features really well in an event like this. Toyota is hopeful for a Toyota victory.”
Now in its eighth edition under the Baja format, the event draws top competitors from around the globe to tackle the challenging dunes of Dubai.
Held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and organized by the Emirates Motorsport Organization (EMSO) in collaboration with the Dubai Sports Council, the Baja is supported by Official Automotive Partner Al-Futtaim Toyota, Energy Partner ENOC, and the strategic collaboration of the Dubai Government and its entities, including the Dubai Police, RTA and Dubai Municipality.
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A HUGELY SUCCESSFUL DUBAI BAJA
Dubai, UAE – December 2, 2024: The Dubai International Baja 2024 came to an exhilarating end this weekend, delivering unforgettable moments as champions were crowned in a celebration of motorsport excellence.
From the tranquil mountains of Hatta, where the event began with a qulaifying stage, to the extremely demanding and hard to read sands of Al Qudra, this year’s Baja showcased the UAE’s diverse landscapes alongside world-class motorsport action.
A Weekend of Triumphs:
UAE rider Mohammed Al Balooshi thrilled home fans by securing his third FIM Bajas World Cup title and made history by becoming the first rider in the Arab world to achieve such a milestone. With a calculated performance, the UAE hero finished second in the event but topping the championship standings. He shared the stage with Poland’s Konrad Dabrowski, who claimed the Dubai event win on his KTM 450, and Sultan Al Balooshi, who earned third.
“It’s an incredible feeling to win my third World Cup title,” said Al Balooshi. “Racing on home soil during the UAE’s National Day celebrations makes this even more special. I’m grateful to everyone who supported me and made this possible.”
In the FIA Baja World Cup, Portugal’s Joao Ferreira secured the championship title in the cars category with a strong second-place finish in Dubai. The event itself was dominated by Nasser Al Attiyah of Qatar, who clinched his record-breaking 13th Dubai International Baja victory.
“Dubai is always a special place to race,” said Al Attiyah. “The competition is fierce, but the organization and atmosphere make it unforgettable every time.”
Challenging Stages Across Iconic Terrain:
The event concluded with the Zayed and Rashid Stage 3, named in honour of the historic 1968 meeting that laid the foundation for the UAE. Competitors tackled 195km of timed sections, navigating technical dunes that tested even the most seasoned racers.
Throughout the three-day event, competitors completed a gruelling 867km of racing, beginning with a scenic prologue in Hatta before moving to the dunes of Al Qudra. This unique blend of terrain underscored the event’s status as one of the most challenging and celebrated on the international Baja calendar.
Quads, Women’s, and Emerging Stars:
The UAE’s Abdulaziz Ahli shone in the Quads category, taking a dominant victory. Meanwhile, Poland’s Joanna Modrzewska secured the Women’s championship title after a season of consistent performances.
Dubai-based Briton Alex McInnes delivered an impressive ride through the dunes, clocking the fastest time on Stage 3. Though earlier penalties cost him a podium finish, his performance highlighted the depth of talent on display.
Celebrating 45 Years of Motorsport Legacy:
Held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and organized by the Emirates Motorsport Organization (EMSO) in collaboration with the Dubai Sports Council, the Baja is supported by Official Automotive Partner Al-Futtaim Toyota, Energy Partner ENOC, and the strategic collaboration of the Dubai Government and its entities, including the Dubai Police, RTA and Dubai Municipality. The event also count with the support of Aquafina as their Hydration Partner.
“This event exemplifies the UAE’s commitment to motorsport,” said Mahir Badri, CEO of the Emirates Motorsport Organization. “From the incredible landscapes of Hatta to the challenging sands of Al Qudra, this year’s Baja has been a true celebration of our country’s heritage and sporting excellence.”
As the sun sets on the 2024 season, the Dubai International Baja leaves behind a legacy of breathtaking competition, camaraderie, and unforgettable moments.
– Ends –
- UAE Rider Al Balooshi Delights Home Fans with Third FIM World Title
- Portugal’s Joao Ferreira Seals FIA World Baja Cup Crown
- Qatar’s Al Attiyah and Poland’s Dabrowski take Dubai Baja wins
Dubai, UAE, 1st December 2024: There was glory for the UAE on the eve of the country’s National Day as home rider Mohammed Al Balooshi sealed his third FIM Bajas World Cup crown after another exhilarating day’s competition at the Dubai International Baja.
This weekend’s action around the sands of Dubai marked the season finale for the world’s international off-road series on both two wheels and four. On the motorcycles, Poland’s Konrad Dabrowski won the event itself, but Al Balooshi’s second place was enough for him to take the championship.
As for the cars, Portugal’s Joao Ferreira took the FIA World Baja Cup title with a fine second place behind Qatar’s Nasser Al Attiyah, who took his 13th win in Dubai after a blistering battle in the desert.
Heading into this weekend’s final Baja of 2024, championships were still up for grabs in numerous categories as the FIA and FIM World Cup seasons came to a conclusion.
Today’s Zayed and Rashid Stage 3 was a repeat of Saturday’s Al Futtaim Toyota Stage 2 featuring 195km of timed stages plus 164km of road section in the intense heat of Al Qudra Desert. Over the course of the event’s three days the competitors have each thus completed a mammoth total of 867km of driving and riding.
The motorcycles were the first to head out onto the sands and it was Poland’s Konrad Dabrowski who prevailed at the Dubai International Baja on his Duust Rally Team KTM 450. The 23-year-old edged out local hero Mohammed Al Balooshi on his MX Ride Dubai Yamaha 450YZF to take the victory by 3m34s following his stage wins on Friday and Saturday. Second place was still more than enough for UAE rider Al Balooshi to seal the 2024 FIM Bajas World Cup title for the third time.
Afterwards a delighted Al Balooshi said: “I’m very happy to take second because the bigger picture was to win word title for the second time in a row – and my third time overall. And it’s a great way to celebrate my World Cup title on our National Day.
“It was a really strong race and I enjoyed racing against Konrad. I lost a lot of time yesterday on the fast sections because I made some miscalculations with the gearing. That was bad luck because I thought the track would be more technical like last year but I was stuck at 140kmh so I knew I’d already lost the race.
“Today was a much better day. I couldn’t quite make up the gap to win this event but the championship was what mattered. I’m very thankful to the organisers EMSO for including the Dubai International Baja in the championship for the last eight years. Everything was awesome.”
Dabrowski added: “I’m really happy to have won the Dubai International Baja. It was a good weekend of racing in my second home – and I enjoyed it a lot.”
Dubai-based Briton Alex McInnes completed a storming ride through the dunes for the fastest time of the day but had to settle for fourth place in the overall order due to earlier time penalties. Instead another home rider, Sultan Al Balooshi – Mohammed’s brother – took the third spot on the podium while their fellow countryman Hamdan Alali rounded out the top five.
Adding to the day’s triumphs for the UAE was Abdulaziz Ahli, who finished on top in the Quads, well clear of all his challengers, while Saudi Arabia’s Hani Al Noumesi took the overall title.
Ahli said: “This was a happy event and I’m only sorry it’s come to an end! The race was difficult but we managed to get over all the challenges that were in our face. In the end I did well and now I can’t wait for next year…”
In the women’s section Poland’s Joanna Modrzewska (Husqvarna) came into the Baja with a big championship lead and her crown was confirmed with today’s retirement of Aishwarysa Pissay (Sherco).
As for the cars, Portugal’s Joao Ferreira headed to Dubai with a slender nine-point lead over Fernando Alvarez (Argentina) in the race to be crowned the FIA Baja World Cup Champion. Ferreira came into the final day in third – alongside co-driver Filipe Palmeiro in their X-Raid Mini JCW Team Mini – and his eventual second place was enough to give the Portuguese driver the points he needed both for the Ultimate class honours and the overall title.
At least Alvarez and his co-driver Xavier Panseri (France) had the consolation that they had already secured the SSV title.
Ferreira thus succeeds last year’s FIA Baja World Cup Champion Nasser Al Attiyah, who was also in action this weekend, taking an incredible 13th victory in Dubai at the wheel of his Nasser Racing Taurus T3 buggy with co-driver Pablo Moreno.
The fastest car on the first two days had been Brazilian Lucas Moraes’ experimental Toyota Hilux co-driven by Armand Monleon. Despite not being eligible for victory, the Toyota Gazoo Racing pair came into Sunday with a 6m05s advantage but an early retirement put paid to their hopes. That left the way free for Al Attiyah to romp to yet another dominant Dubai victory.
Completing the podium was Ferreira’s X-Raid Mini team-mate Denis Krotov of Kyrgyzstan alongside co-driver Konstantin Zhiltsov. Next came two French pairings: the father/daughter combination of Lionel and Lucie Baud (Mini John Cooper Works Rally 3.0i) were fourth while Ronan Chabot and Gilles Pillot took fifth in their Toyota Hilux Overdrive.
In the Challenger class Emirati driver Khalid Al Jalfa headed into the weekend level on points with Spain’s Edoardo Pons following his win at the previous round in Jordan. But it was Pons who prevailed, putting in an impressive drive to sixth place overall, enough to take the championship crown.
Overall honours in the FIA Middle East Baja Cup went to Dania Akeel of Saudi Arabia, who had already guaranteed the Ultimate class honours. Hamad Nasser Al Harbi won the Challenger division while Ahmed Al Kuwari had already sealed the SSV title.
Among the National Event competitors one stand-out duo of debutants was made up of two former motocross riders in a CanAm Side by Side machine: Austria’s Hannes Kinigadner, a key inspiration behind the Wings for Life Foundation, with Briton Sam Sunderland calling the pace notes for the first time. Unfortunately, they failed to reach the finish after retiring on Saturday.
The Dubai International Baja was held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai. Run in tandem with the UAE’s National Day celebrations, it benefited from the support of Official Automotive Partner Al-Futtaim Toyota, Energy Partner ENOC and the strategic collaboration of the Dubai Government and its entities, including the Dubai Police, RTA and Dubai Municipality.
This classic event started out as the Dubai International Rally in 1979 before turning into a Baja in 2016. This year’s eighth edition – run by the Emirates Motorsport Organization (EMSO) in collaboration with Dubai Sports Council – featured a record entry of 65 drivers and 32 riders from a total of 37 countries.
The action kicked off on Friday afternoon with a prologue stage in the mountains of Hatta before the evening’s ceremonial start at Festival City. This offered spectators the chance to get a close view of all the competitors and machinery ahead of Saturday and Sunday’s 195km cross-country legs around the dunes of Al Qudra desert.
Today’s finale – Zayed and Rashid Stage 3 – was named in honour of the moment on 18th February 1968 when His Highness Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the then Ruler of Abu Dhabi met Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai on the border between Abu Dhabi and Dubai to agree on uniting their respective emirates, the starting point for the vision to unite the seven emirates of UAE.
Mr Mahir Badri, CEO of the EMSO said: “This has been a spectacular event in Dubai and its surrounding areas, showcasing to the world so much of what the UAE has to offer. It was a particular pleasure to stage Thursday’s opening action in the stunning mountains of Hatta for the first time since the event’s reformulation as an off-road Baja in 2016. From that area’s rugged beauty to our two days of incredible action in the Al Qudra desert, I’m thrilled that the Dubai International Baja has again been the host of a wonderful festival of off-road motorsport.
“On the eve of the National Day of the UAE it gives us particular pride to put on such a show for everyone watching both here and all around the globe. We have welcomed many of the world’s finest drivers and riders and run an event to the very highest international standards for safety as the event celebrates its 45th year of history.
“We could not have managed such a spectacular success without the continued support of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai. We would also like to thank the Government of Dubai and its entities, including the Dubai Police, Civil Defence and Dubai Sports Council. We also express our deepest gratitude to our
partners – Al Futtaim Group, Toyota, Festival City Mall, and Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC) – for their support as we seek to take this event to ever greater heights. Last but not least, I would like to thank my team for their commitment and professionalism plus the endless hours of work they put in to deliver this successful conclusion to the Baja season.”
-ENDS-
