The Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) is delighted with the response to entries for the forthcoming Qatar International Baja, which hosts the second rounds of the FIA World and Middle East Cups for Cross-Country Bajas and round two of the FIM Bajas World Cup on March 15th-18th.
With international cross-country attention on this week’s Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge in the UAE, the QMMF expects a late wave of entries before the closing date of Wednesday, March 1st.
Officials are finalising the start and finish locations and fine-tuning the route for the 2023 Baja, which will again run under the chairmanship of QMMF President Abdulrahman Al-Mannai, Executive Director Amro Al-Hamad and board member Abdulrazaq Al-Kuwari.
Competition begins with a Prologue stage on Thursday, March 16th, from 15.00hrs.
Championship picture
The FIM, world motorcycle racing’s governing body, has announced minor changes to the later events on the 2023 Bajas World Cup calendar and a revised competition format for this season. The series now comprises eight rounds, in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, two in Spain, Hungary, Portugal, Dubai and Jordan, with each rider’s best six scores counting towards the final classification.
Emirati Mohammed Al-Balooshi takes a five-point lead over Qatar-based Australian Martin Chalmers into the Qatar Baja after the opening round in Saudi Arabia.
Qatar’s national hero Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah won the car category of the Saudi Baja and holds an eight-point advantage over his Toyota team-mate Juan Cruz Yacopini in the FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Bajas Drivers’ Championship. Polish veteran Krzysztof Holowczyc is third.
Saudi drivers fill the top of the FIA Middle East Cup standings. Yasir Seaidan took maximum points and leads Hamad Al-Harbi and Abdullah Al-Shegawi.
Support for competitors
The QMMF is offering generous support to competitors who pass administrative and scrutineering checks. GCC entrants in the FIA car, T3 and T4 categories will receive a shipping allowance of $3,000, rising to $6,000 for international entrants travelling from an international destination.
GCC motorcycle and quad riders are eligible for $1,500, with $3,000 available to international riders travelling from international destinations.
The QMMF will also book economy class return tickets for drivers and co-drivers once entry fees are paid, and provide a twin hotel room with breakfast for five nights.