Sulayem says new rally creating three-event regional desert sweep is big boost for Middle East motor sport
The Automobile and Touring Club of UAE (ATCUAE) today underlined its plans to establish the new Dubai International Baja as the country’s second top flight event in the world of cross country rallying.
Taking place from 9 to 11 March in the Al Qudra desert, the three-day event is being held under the patronage of H.H.Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai.
The 2017 Dubai International Baja is the second round of this year’s FIA World Cup for Cross Country Rallies for cars and buggies and the opening round of the FIM Bajas World Cup for bikes and quads.
It effectively creates a spectacular three-event Middle East desert swing for the world’s top cross country rally drivers and riders.
The new addition to the World Cup calendar is followed just over two weeks later by the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge (1-7 April), already entrenched by the ATCUAE as a premier event in the FIA World Cup series and the FIM Cross Country Rallies World Championship, and Qatar’s Sealine Cross Country Rally (16-21 April).
“We’re proud to be creating a second world class cross country rally in the UAE and look forward to developing it into one of the top baja events in the FIA and FIM calendars,