Entries are open and starting to arrive for the new Qatar International Baja, the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation’s (QMMF) addition to the expanded 2021 FIM Bajas World Cup, on April 8th-10th.
Motorcycle and quad riders and SSV drivers face 504.24 competitive kilometres through the Qatar deserts in a compact 872.44km route.
Working under QMMF President Abdulrahman Al-Mannai, Executive Director Amro Al-Hamad and committee member Abdulrazaq Al-Kuwari, officials have prepared a varied and tough Baja with dunes, fast sandy sections, demanding navigation and Qatar’s distinctive arid terrain.
The route
Baja Director Pedro Almeida and assistant Rashid Al-Sulaiti have confirmed the action starts with a 6.7km super special at Simasmina, 16km from rally headquarters at the Losail Sports Arena, from 15.25hrs on Thursday, April 8th.
After a 74.47km liaison from Losail, Friday’s (April 9th) first desert section starts at Al-Jumaliya, with four passage controls over 248.80 competitive kilometres through central and northern Qatar. An 87.71km liaison then returns crews to the Losail Sports Arena.
The final 248.74km stage on Saturday, April 10th starts at Al-Kharsaah, 80.53km from rally headquarters, also with four passage controls, and winds through the central and southern deserts to finish at Sealine, south of Doha. Competitors then return to Losail for the post-event press conference (17.30hrs) and ceremonial finish (18.00hrs).
New team format
The QMMF has introduced a new team concept for National category riders. Two eligible riders can enter as a team and run separately or share a motorcycle or quad, provided both hold at least a National licence. Teams using two machines must fit each with a road-book reader and a bracket for a Stella GPS unit.
One rider tackles the super special, then a relay format applies: each day one rider covers roughly half the desert section to the refuel, and the other takes over to the finish. In a two-rider team, each covers about 125km a day.
Equipment can be moved to and from the stage starts and finishes, but bikes and quads must go into parc fermé at the end. Trophies go to the top three teams in this new category.
Entries close at reduced rates on Thursday, March 18th, with a final deadline of Monday, March 29th. Entry fee details are in the supplementary regulations (subject to final FIM approval) on www.qmmf.com.