Back-to-Back Championship Leadership in 2026
Omani rally driver Hamed Al Wahaibi continued his outstanding 2026 campaign in the FIA World Baja Cup, strengthening his lead in the Challenger category standings after another strong performance at the Jordan Baja.
For the second consecutive round this season, Al Wahaibi sits at the top of the overall Challenger championship rankings, confirming his consistency and competitive form.
Podium Finish in Aqaba
Competing in the southern city of Aqaba, Al Wahaibi secured second place in the Challenger class and finished seventh overall against a highly competitive international field.
He competed under the banner of RX Sport, led by Emirati champion Rashed Al Ketbi. Despite minor damage to certain car components caused by extreme exhaust heat, the Omani driver demonstrated impressive pace across all stages and maintained a strong rhythm throughout the event.
Momentum Following Hail Victory
The result in Jordan builds on his class victory at the Hail International Rally last month, where he debuted the Can-Am Maverick R Challenger for the first time. The car immediately proved competitive, validating the team’s strategic decisions and technical preparation.
The continued partnership between Al Wahaibi and his Polish co-driver Maciej Giemza has been another key factor in their success. After developing strong chemistry in Hail, the duo carried that momentum into Jordan with a focused and disciplined performance.
A Key Step Toward Dakar
This year’s Jordan Baja ran over three demanding days, covering a total distance of 821.69 kilometers, including 472.19 kilometers of timed special stages across the varied and challenging terrain of southern Jordan.
The event forms part of Al Wahaibi’s broader preparation program for the legendary Dakar Rally, scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia next year.
Driver Reaction
After crossing the finish line, Al Wahaibi expressed his satisfaction with the result, emphasizing that his main objective was to secure maximum points in both the Challenger and Masters World Cup classifications.
“We proved our true capabilities,” he said. “All our decisions in cooperation with the team were correct, including the choice of car.”
He added, “Everything went according to plan. I’m delighted to finish as the top-placed driver registered for the World Cup.”
Al Wahaibi concluded by thanking his sponsors, the event organizers, and his support team for their continued backing, with special appreciation extended to Rashed Al Ketbi for his leadership and ongoing support.
