AQABA, JORDAN – The Jordan Baja starts with a short Prologue (13:50) and the ceremonial start at the Arab Revolt Plaza in Aqaba from 16:45 on Thursday.
Nineteen crews and 16 riders chasing points in the FIA World and Middle East Baja Cups and the FIM Bajas World Cup then face 522.43 competitive kilometres in Wadi Rum on Friday and Saturday, in a compact 749.30km route. Jordan Motorsport is also running a national event for 11 drivers and the new Wadi Al-Qamar Navigation Rally, where 27 amateur crews will tackle a non-competitive desert route to learn off-road driving, navigation and road book skills.
World Cup title fight
South Racing Can-Am’s Fernando Alvarez leads Portugal’s João Ferreira by five points in the Drivers’ standings, with co-drivers Xavier Panseri and Filipe Palmeiro similarly close.
It is my first time here. It is amazing weather and an amazing landscape. I m really looking forward to the next few days. Obviously, we have to keep an eye on our main rivals for the championship. I will stay focused on my job. On Friday, I will see what Wadi Rum is like for the first time.
João Ferreira
Alvarez is almost certain of the World Cup SSV crown, while top seed Miroslav Zapletal is making a late bid for the Ultimate title from Ferreira, who has entered SSV again. Spain’s Eduardo Pons (Nasser Racing Taurus T3 Max) leads Emirati Khalid Al-Jafla by seven points in Challenger, with Diego Martinez third.
We’re happy to be back. This is my second time here. Apart from my accident in the last race, I have great memories because it was a great combination of dunes, sand roads, stony roads and normal tracks where navigation was key. It’s an open desert in many parts but I am very excited to race again in this red desert. I think it’s the most amazing place in the world.
Eduardo Pons
Middle East Cup
Nine crews chase World Cup points and 10 target the FIA Middle East Baja Cup. Quaddy Racing’s Ahmed Al-Kuwari leads by seven points from Saudi Arabia’s Dania Akeel, who won the category in Qatar and has swapped her Toyota Hilux for a Can-Am Maverick. Stock leader Majed Al-Thunayyan (Nissan Patrol) remains in overall contention, as do Saudis Maha Al-Hamali and Hamad Al-Harbi. New FIA Middle East and Jordanian rally champion Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari drives one of three QMMF Taurus T3s alongside Khalifa Saleh Al-Attiyah and Rashid Al-Muhannadi.
Bikes and quads
With Portugal’s David Megre and Pedro Bianchi Prata absent, top seed Mohammed Al-Balooshi can extend his two-point FIM lead before the Dubai finale. The MX Ride Dubai rider leads a 16-strong bike and quad field including Kuwait’s Abdullah Al-Shatti, local rider Abdullah Abu Aisheh, Lebanon’s Rafic Eid, Saudi Abdulhalim Al-Mogheera and Qatar-based Australian Martin Chalmers.
I’m very excited to be starting here. The terrain is really nice. It’s closer to some of the stages on the Dakar. I am hoping to increase the gap in the competition before Dubai. It has been two long weekends. Qatar was quite tough and then we went to Portugal, a bit of different terrain. The sun suits me and, hopefully, it translates into a win this weekend.
Mohammed Al-Balooshi
Al-Balooshi’s brother Sultan, Britain’s Steven Holt, Emirati Marwan Al-Rahmani and Jordanians Tia’at Al-Shishane, Hamza Al-Zawahreh and Abdullah Al-Batayneh complete the bike field. New quad leader Hani Al-Noumesi heads an all-Saudi Yamaha line-up against Haitham Al-Tuwaijri, Abdulaziz Al-Shayban and Abdulaziz Al-Atawi.
Standings before the event
- FIA World Baja Cup: Fernando Alvarez 210pts, João Ferreira 205, Eduardo Pons 154, Khalid Al-Jafla 147, Miguel Toril 144
- FIA Middle East Baja Cup: Ahmed Al-Kuwari 81pts, Dania Akeel 74, Majed Al-Thunayyan 73, Maha Al-Hamali 66
- FIM Bajas World Cup: Mohammed Al-Balooshi 83pts, David Megre 81, Pedro Bianchi Prata 73