Your basket is currently empty!
Category: Cross Country Rally
-
Jordan all set to host new round of FIM Baja World Cup
Aqaba, 18 March 2021: The Ceremonial start of the second round of the FIM Bajas World Cup takes place at 9.30 pm IST today in Jordan with 559 competitive kilometres in a total route of 859km.
Jordan is located on the eastern bank of the Jordan River and is rich in monuments, temples, tombs and archaeological sites, including the famous Nabataean capital of Petra in the south of the country and in close proximity to the Baja’s base in Aqaba on the Red Sea.
Mohammed Al-Balooshi.Fifteen motorcycles and five quads will be at the start of the Jordan Baja, which will be held in the nearby deserts of Wadi Rum.
Mohammed Al-Balooshi was third at the Dubai International Baja last month and was the winner of the 2019 Jordan Baja. The Emirati starts as the top seed on a Husqvarna.
He will have to defend his title against the Jordanian riders Abdullah Abu Aisheh (KTM), Zaid Jaber (KTM) and Tal’at Al-Shishane (KTM) and the likes of Portugal’s Paulo Oliveira (Husqvarna) and Saudi Arabia’s Mohammed Al-Muaikil.Two female riders are also present and loyal to the FIM Bajas World Cup – Aishwarya Pissay (Husqvarna) and Sarah Khuraibet (Yamaha).
Aleksandr Maksimov in action in Qatar on a quad.Five Saudi quad riders, all on Yamahas, complete the list of participants – namely Hani Al-Noumesi, Haitham Al-Tuwayjiri, Sultan Al-Masoud, Faisal Al-Suwayh and Abdulmajeed Al-Khulaifi, a multiple winner of the Hail Rally.
The Jordan Baja will take place under strict Covid-19 protocols and begins with the ceremonial start in Aqaba on Thursday, March 18th at 19.00hrs.
Competitors will then tackle two different selective sections of 210.72km and 112.99km on Friday, March 19th and an additional 236.06km through the desert north of Aqaba on Saturday, March 20th.
***
Programme
Tuesday, March 16th, 2021
•08:00 – 18:00: Service Park Open for Logistics Operations ONLYWednesday, March 17th, 2021
•08:00 – 18:00: COVID-19 Protocol Start, NO ACCESS to event without Negative test result (48 hours validity) in the Service Park entrance, in Remote Service Zone entrance.
•08:00: Service Pak Operational
•16:45: Competitors Briefing – Service Park (briefing notes will be posted on Sportity)Thursday, March 18th, 2021
•09:00 – 13:00: Administrative Checks – Rally HQ
•09:30 – 14:00: Technical Checks/Sealing/Marking at Scrutineering venue
•15:00: First Jury Meeting – Rally HQ
•19:00: Jordan Baja Ceremonial Start – Aqaba CityFriday, March 19th, 2021
•06:15: Issue Road book LEG 1/Sections 1 & 2 – Rally HQ Rally
•07:00: Start of LEG 1 – Aqaba Service Park
•18:07: Finish LEG 1
•19:30: Publication of the Start List for LEG 2Saturday, March 20th, 2021
•06:45: Issue Road book LEG 2/Sections 3 – Rally HQ Rally
•07:30: Start of LEG 2 – Aqaba Service Park
•12:45: Finish of LEG 2 -
Aishwarya Pissay excited as she prepares for Jordan Baja
Aqaba (Jordan), 17 March 2021: Indian star cross-country rally rider Aishwarya Pissay will take part in the FIM Bajas World Cup Round 2 that is being run along with the Jordan Baja which gets underway in Aqaba on Thursday evening. That will see Jordan Motorsport host its first international motor sporting event since September 2019.
TVS Racing-backed Aishwarya Pissay, who bagged a second place in her class in Round 1, had settled for a third place in the Ladies section at Dubai. With the regulations pooling all classes together for WC rankings, Aishwarya will get points only for her third place in the Ladies Class. However, this year, the riders have the liberty to chose the best two rounds they have taken part in the year’s 10 rounds, to qualify for the final round. The Bengaluru-based Aishwarya stayed back in Dubai for training for the Jordan Baja, after her podium finish at the opening World Cup round, the Dubai Baja.
Two female riders will line up against 13 male rivals in the motorcycle category: India’s Aishwarya Pissay and Kuwait’s Sarah Khuraibet will duel for FIM Women’s category glory on their respective Huqsvarna and Yamaha.
Bangalore-based Pissay, 25, hopes to challenge for the title in 2021 and retain her 2019 crown. The Bengaluru rider was the first Indian athlete to win a world title on a motorcycle, the FIM Bajas Women’s Championship 2019, and has already secured seven combined national titles in circuit racing and rallying. Her last National title, the 2w Indian National Rally Championship came on Jan 31, at Hampi last month.
“I’m excited about the second round of the FIM World Baja Rally Cup,” said TVS Racing-backed Pissay. “This will be my first time racing in Jordan. I’m going in with a positive mindset and hoping for a good finish without any technical difficulties.”
Three Jordanian riders will be hoping to challenge their international rivals for success in this weekend’s Jordan Baja, the new second round of the FIM Bajas World Cup.
Talented young rider Abdullah Abu Aisheh is seeded at two behind Abu Dhabi’s Mohammed Al-Balooshi and has a superb chance of giving the Hashemite Kingdom a second outright victory in the Baja: Ata Al-Hmoud won the inaugural event on a Beta 390 when it ran as a candidate round for the FIA series in 2018.
Abu Aisheh is the national champion and trained in Dubai with Al-Balooshi before taking part in some desert races. He won the MX2 class in the Dubai Endurocross Championship and finished fourth overall in last month’s Dubai International Baja.
“I’m very excited to race the second round of the FIM Bajas World Cup in my home country,” said Abu Aishah. “The terrain is fantastic and the route should be fast. Wadi Rum is one of the highly known tourist attractions in Jordan and what makes it a great setting for the Baja is the diverse and dynamic terrain.
“It changes very quickly from sand to rocky sections to dunes. It makes the Baja a fast and technical route. What makes it even better is the breathtaking landscape, so we get to race and enjoy a great view. I will participate with my KTM Rally Replica and I’m aiming for the win. It should be a very challenging race, but I’m confident in my abilities to achieve the result I have in mind. I look forward to it!”
Zaid Jaber and Tal’at Al-Shishane also ride a pair of KTMs and represent the host nation. Twenty-one-year-old Jaber is taking part in his first Baja. He started riding motorcycles when he was only five under the influence of his father Ammar.
“I started riding professionally a year ago,” said Jaber. “My goal is the 2024 or 2025 Dakar. I came here for training with Mohammed Al-Balooshi. I wanted to race in the first round of the World Cup, but I dislocated my shoulder during training for the Dubai Baja. I watched the race in the Al-Qudra desert and learned a lot. I realised that the time is important, but the rules are even more important and if you don’t do any mistakes you have a big chance to win. I’m still in recovery, but was back to riding one week ago.”
Two Jordanian crews are also aiming for the podium in a National Baja that runs behind the main event and includes a shorter second day’s action in the deserts to the north of Aqaba. Haitham and Saif Al-Abbadi and Ghaith Qubti and Moath Al-Arja have entered a pair of T2 Range Rovers and will compete against three Palestinian crews and competitors from Saudi Arabia.
Dania Akeel finished eighth in her rallying debut at the Sharqiyah International Baja two weeks ago and the Saudi girl will be tackling her first event outside Saudi Arabia with French navigator Stéphane Duplé.
Akeel is part of the new SHERO Rally Team by Duust and has entered the event in a Can-Am Maverick X3 in the FIA T3 section. She had been looking forward to competing against fellow Saudi female Mashael Al-Obaidan, but her Jordanian navigator Musa Djierian confirmed on Monday morning that unseen issues had forced them to withdraw their Can-Am entry.
Akeel will now compete in T3 against fellow Saudi driver Ibrahim Bin Salamah and his co-driver Adel Al-Muhaia.
Restrictions on travel have forced the Argentine duo of Orlando Terranova and Franco Caimi to withdraw their entry. Terranova competed in Jordan in 2019 and finished second overall in his quest for FIA Baja Drivers’ Championship honours. The Mendoza driver lists the Jordan Baja as one of his favourite events and vows to return next year to tackle the unique desert stages in Wadi Rum.
The Jordan Baja gets underway with a ceremonial start in Aqaba from 19.39hrs on Thursday evening.
Competitors will then tackle two challenging sections of 210.72km and 112.9km on Friday, March 19th and a further 236.06km through the deserts to the north of Aqaba on Saturday, March 20th.
-
Jordan Baja: FIA T4 category opens door for golden future
Aqaba (Jordan), 17 March 2021: The Jordan Baja gets underway in Aqaba on Thursday evening and sees Jordan Motorsport hosting its first international motor sporting event since September 2019.
Competitors from 15 nations will take part in the fourth round of the FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Bajas, round two of the FIM Bajas World Cup and a National Baja running behind the two international status events.
The FIA T4 category for modified production cross-country side-by-side (SxS) vehicles is one of the fastest growing categories in off-road rallying and five of the world’s leading protagonists in the category will line-up at the start of the Jordan Baja.
Cars such as the Can-Am Maverick X3, Polaris RZR 1000 and the Yamaha YXZ 1000 R have given newcomers and more experienced drivers the perfect introduction to one of the most challenging forms of all-terrain motor sport.
Events such as the Dakar Rally now offer two different SSV categories and the FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Bajas has its own championships for T4 drivers and teams.
Frenchman Claude Fournier has taken part in the opening three rounds of the 2021 Baja series in Russia, Dubai and Saudi Arabia and arrives in Aqaba with a 19.5-point advantage over Saudi Arabia’s Saleh Al-Saif in the standings. He first took part in the Dakar Rally back in 1991 and won the rookie category.
Fournier was victorious on the opening round and third and fourth places in the two Middle East events have given the Can-Am driver a solid foundation on which to build his title challenge with Polish co-driver Szymon Gospodarczyk.
“This is my first time in Jordan, as it was cancelled last year,” said Fournier, who has now retired from the family wine business that used to sell 2.5 million bottles per year. “I am told it is a very difficult challenge, particularly for the navigators, and it is also one where there is a lot of punctures due to rocks.
“I have also been told by everyone that it is a very beautiful event, so I am really looking forward to seeing Wadi Rum. I am not expecting many dunes.
“Of course, I hope to win, but I know it will be tough as the other drivers are very good. I am one of the oldest guys competing, at 69, but I am feeling fit and strong. I hope I can do well here to help me win the World Championship and also to set me up well for the five European events coming up next.”
Al-Saif is, perhaps, the favourite on the T4 starting list in Aqaba after claiming maximum points at the recent round in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province. Technical issues meant that he could only collect points for fifth place in Dubai, but he delivered a terrific performance two weeks ago to finish third overall and first in T4.
Al-Saif said: “Jordan Baja means a lot to me, as I performed well in the candidate version and won the T3 title. I love the Rum Desert. It resembles some regions of Saudi Arabia, such as Al-Ula and Tabuk, so I feel a familiarity with it and I also love this kind of terrain – sandy, rocky and wadis.
“I got used to the Jordan Baja after two previous versions. My eyes are now on the category title. My position is strong after winning Al-Sharqiyah Baja and advancing to second place in the T3 standings. My chances are strong in this rally. Our most prominent competitor will be Khalifa Saleh Al-Attiyah. He is a big name and I am happy that he is one of the participants in Jordan, as it will increase the pace and the competition. I am trying to participate in all rounds and I hope to win the title before the season ends.”
Meshari Al-Thefiri has been a regular visitor to Jordan to take part in the Dead Sea-based special stage round of the FIA Middle East Rally Championship and has a perfect opportunity to overhaul Al-Saif and put the pressure on Fournier in the title race.
The Kuwaiti will be taking part in the Jordan Baja for the first time at the wheel of the second of five South Racing-built Can-Ams on the entry list. He has already claimed a pair of second places on rounds two and three of the Baja series and teams up with Qatar’s Nasser Al-Kuwari for the second time this season.
“This is the fourth round of the Baja Championship and we are third overall and half a point behind Saleh Al-Saif,” said Al-Thefiri. “Our programme is to compete in all the rounds, finish the championship and try and be champions in T4.
“I decided to do this championship because three rounds are in the Middle East, so I want to make the maximum out of it. This is also a plus for the drivers in the region to be able to take part in this championship. I am part of a strong team at South Racing and have been amazed at the level of professionalism, regarding the set-up, and the organisation. The car is bullet-proof and comes close to the factory cars in terms of performance and specification.”
Pavel Lebedev, Saeed Al-Mouri and Laia Sanz have already scored points this season in T4 but none are present in Jordan. That leaves the door firmly open for Qatar’s Khalifa Saleh Al-Attiyah to challenge for a podium finish.
The brother of the illustrious Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah – a three-time Dakar Rally winner and 13-time Jordan Rally winner – has already finished ninth overall in the T4 section at the Dakar this year and secured victory at the second of the Ha’il Bajas last December. The Doha-based driver will be partnered by the experienced Frenchman Xavier Panseri for the first time.
UAE-based Thomas Bell runs the car preparations company Sabertooth Motoring Adventure out of Autodrome Motor City in Dubai. He drives the fifth of the Can-Ams in Jordan alongside Spanish navigator Armand Monleón, the latter being a successful rally rider in his own right and the former winner of the China Grand Rally on a KTM.
The duo tackled the recent Sharqiyah International Baja and set some competitive times before their T4 challenge came to an abrupt end on a treacherously muddy section of terrain near the coast.
On Thursday, competitors will carry out their pre-event scrutineering and administration checks from 9 am, after strict Covid-19 testing protocols were applied before individuals could gain access to the service park and rally headquarters.
Several of the top drivers and riders will then meet the media at the pre-event press conference on the Aqaba start podium from 6.25 pm local time, before the event gets underway from 7.39 pm on Thursday evening.
Competitors will then tackle two challenging sections of 210.72 km and 112.9 km on Friday and a further 236.06 km through the deserts to the north of Aqaba on Saturday.
FIA T4 Championship – standings after round 3:
1. Claude Fournier (FRA) 57.5pts
2. Saleh Al-Saif (SAU) 38pts
3. Meshari Al-Thefiri (KWT) 37.5 pts
4. Pavel Lebedev (RAF) 27 pts
5. Saeed Al-Mouri (SAU) 15.5 pts
6. Laia Sanz (ESP) 13 pts
-
Maiden bikes triumph for Sam Smith; Al Rajhi-Orr win Dubai Baja
Dubai, 20 Feb 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.
Ace Indian rider Aishwarya Pissay came second in the Women’s Baja behind Pol.
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. David Mabbs topped the national class in a Polaris RS1.
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.
Saudi Arabia’s Yazeed Al Rajhi along with co-driver British Michaell Orr won the 4w class. 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 aHusqvarna, 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
-
Aishwarya takes podium in Class 1 of Dubai Baja, with crucial points for WC
Dubai, 19 Feb 2021: Ace Indian cross-country rallyist of team TVS Racing, Aishwarya Pissay, the FIM Bajas World Cup 2019 winner made it to the chequered flag to take a well-deserved podium in the Dubai International Baja, the first round of the FIM Women’s Baja World Cup at the Deserts of Al Qudra here on Saturday.
Astride a Husqvarna SX-F450, Aishwarya clocked 9hours, 21minutes 27.0seconds (including a penalty time of 6:00:0 after SS1) for an overall second place in Class 1 and Group 1 but she had to be content with a bronze in the women’s category. The Class 1 podium fetched her 16 valuable points in her campaign for the 2021 Bajas World Cup. However, the provisional points need to be confirmed by FIM.
The Bengalurean finished the first leg in second place in the women’s section with an overall lead in 18th place after Day 1. Today, she took overall 14th place on Day 2, for a final count of third in the women’s class which matters for her WC campaign.
On Day 2, an issue with in the gearbox slowed a speeding Aishwarya in her tracks. Forced to nurse her bike back while others passed by, Aishwarya made the most of her situation to cross the finish line for a third place in the women’s class. Mirjam Pol (7:04:06) and Llobera Farre (8:27:01) finished ahead of her in that order.
Khuraibet S, who did well, picked up a penalty and slided to fourth place. Aishwarya’s third was good enough to get her an overall combined second place behind Pol in Class 1 but with both classes 1 and 1/2 counting together for WC points, Aishwarya will get 16 points for her efforts.
Aishwarya Pissay in Dubai before with her medal. The TVS Racing talent is supported by Sidvin Core Tech, Scott Sports India, K&N, Pepsico and CutGear.
Aishwarya has bagged 16 points with her achievement today. This year, the ladies should take part in at least one of the 10 FIM 2021 Baja World Cup rounds to be eligible for the finals, which will have a coefficient of 2. Along with the final rankings, two other best events rankings, among the ten, will be counted for the World Cup Baja title. The individual qualifying rounds will have a coefficient of 1.
Note: Class and Points corrected on 22 Feb 2021 at 4.28 pm
-
Saudi star Al Rajhi, Mare top time sheets to take Dubai Baja lead; Aishwarya on target
Dubai, 19 Feb 2021: Saudi Arabia’s Yazeed Al Rajhi dominated the opening leg of the Dubai International Baja with a stunning drive on Friday while UAE-based South African rider Aaron Mare moved within reach of back-to-back bike victories as the rally entered the motorsport record books topping the time sheets on Day 1. Meanwhile, India’s world cupper Aishwarya Pissay had successfully completed the course on Day 1 finishing the SS1 with aplomb despite some initial hiccups.
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.
Yazeed Al Rajhi and co-driver Michael Orr lean in their Toyota Hilux Overdrive on 19 Feb 2021 in Dubai International Baja after Leg 1. An ASO image 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
-
Aishwarya Pissay successfully completes SS1 in 18th place, in her class
Dubai, 19 Feb 2021: World Cup Baja winner and ace Indian rider Aishwarya Pissay of TVS Racing successfully completed the Leg 1 finishing 18th in her Group 1, Class 1, and overall 23rd in the FIM 2021 Dubai International Baja here in the Deserts of Al Qudra on Friday.
After a complicated year for the motorcycle world, the Dubai International Baja which attracted 43 competitors (37 motorcycles and six quads) returned to with its tough cross-country section of two stages and a total of 427.2 competitive kilometres.
Taking part in Group 1 for bikes and in the Ladies Moto class, Aishwarya clocked a creditable 4 hours, 31 minutes and 17 seconds for the 202.43km Selective Section 1 (SS1), with a competitive distance of 192.23km, that is part of Leg 1 on Friday. She finished 23rd in the timed stage and in overall timings, and second in the Ladies class which saw three out of four registered riders finish the day. In her Group, she finished 18th.
This year, the ladies should take part in at least one of the 10 FIM 2021 Baja World Cup rounds to be eligible for the finals, which will have a coefficient of 2. Along with the final rankings, two other best event rankings will be counted for the World Cup Baja title. The rounds will have a coefficient of 1.
South African Aaron Mare (Honda) sports the #1 ranked rider, finished first in the overall category ahead of compatriot Marck Ackerman (the second ranke on #2 Husqvarna). While Englishman Smith, on his #4 bike was ahead of Emirati Sultan Al-Balooshi (#3), who saw his brother Mohammed (#7) finish ninth on a Husqvarna, after SS1. Mare clocked 3:06:14.0 to top the time charts after Leg 1 (SS1).
Of the four riders in the female category Pol M finished on top clocking 3:49:44.0 while Aishwarya Pissay of India came second in SS1 with a time of 4:28:18.0 as she had to overcome mid-way hiccups navigating the tough dunes and managed to complete the day successfully. Llobera Farre M was a further 11 minutes behind in third place. The second leg SS2 of 204.75km is yet to be completed for the two-day cross-country rally which is a round of the FIM Baja World Cup.
Konrad Dabrowski (KTM) who, at 19-years-old, has just finished 28th at the Dakar Rally, did not find her name in the finishers list for Day 1.
The 25-year Bengaluru rider, Aishwarya Pissay, is the brand ambassador for Scott and Sidvin, the first two sponsors who supported her entry into the big world of Cross-Country rallying from July 2019. Run by former biker and Indian motorsports officionado Mohan, Sidvin Core Tech, is a customer focused Engineering Service provider for Oil & Gas, Petrochemical & Process Industry. She is also supported by Scott Sports India, CutGear, K&N Engineering and Pepsico, who recognised her talent and hardwork and have been sponsoring her as she backed by TVS Racing and Sherco.
Centred around the city of Dubai, the event got underway with administrative and technical checks at the Innovation Center for international riders on Thursday.
To access the bivouac and all the technical and administration checks, riders and their assistance teams had to undergo a Covid-19 test in a tent located in front of the entrance to the bivouac.
-
Rana-Ashwin win cars class; Natraj claims bikes event: Dakshin Dare
Pune, 23 July 2017: Defending champion Suresh Rana of Manali and co-driver Ashwin Naik of Mangaluru won another Maruti Suzuki Dakshin Dare title, as Rana added another feather to his 10 Raid de Himalaya titles, at the cross-country event which concluded here on Saturday.
Samrat Yadav and SN Nizami came second followed by Sandeep Sharma and Karan Arya.
TVS Racing dominated the two-wheeler section, with R Natraj heading the TVS campaign followed by Abdul Waheed Tanveer in second. Sanjay Kumar came third.
Kolkata’s Subir Roy and Nirav Mehta pair won the Endurance Cars TSD (Time, Speed, Distance) event followed by Karthick Maruthi and Sankar S Anand from Erode.
TVS’ star rider and Desert Storm winner, Natraj won the Group A and also the overall category astride an RTR 450FX, beating teammate Abdul Waheed Tanveer in Group A.
Rajendra RE came out triumphant in the Group B upto 260cc class on his TVS Apache RTR 200 and Aishwarya Pissay too was in the same category bike winning the women’s section, also on an RTR 200. Scooter specialist and two-time Gulf Monsoon Challenge winner Syed Asif Ali claimed the scooter’s category on a TVS SXR150.
Final Results:
Extreme category: 1. Suresh Rana and Ashwin Naik 10 hours 11 minutes 26 seconds; 2. Samrat Yadav and SN Nizami 10:14:52; 3. Sandeep Sharma and Karan Arya 10:24:17.
Ultimate Bikes: 1. R Natraj 6:12:38; 2. Abdul Waheed Tanveer 6:15:37; 3. Sanjay Kumar 6:26:53.
Endurance Cars (TSD): 1. Subir Roy and Nirav Mehta 12 minutes 20 seconds (penalty); 2. Karthick Maruthi and Sankar S Anand 12:45; 3. Raghu Nandan and Prakash M 12:49.
