AMMAN, JORDAN – Jordan Motorsport has announced the biggest entry in the short history of the Jordan Baja, round two of the FIA World and Middle East Baja Cups and the FIM Asia Baja Cup, and round three of the FIM Bajas World Cup, in Aqaba on 10–12 April.
Thirty-three cars are entered in the FIA category and 16 riders in the FIM section, plus competitors in a Jordan National Baja and the second Wadi Al-Qamar Navigational Rally.
The FIA field
Of the 33 FIA entrants, 11 are chasing FIA World Baja Cup points and 14 of the remaining 22 are registered for the four-round FIA Middle East Baja Cup. By category, there are seven Ultimate crews, 10 Challenger, 12 SSV and four Stock.
Four Overdrive Racing Toyota Hiluxes lead the way, with reigning Dakar winner Yazeed Al-Rajhi and German co-driver Timo Gottschalk making their first appearance at the event, alongside Argentina’s Juan Cruz Yacopini, last year’s FIA Middle East Baja Cup winner Dania Akeel and Poland’s Martin Kaczmarski. Ultimate rivals include Czech veteran Miroslav Zapletal (Ford F-150 Evo) and Saudi pair Nasser Al-Ajami and Abdulaziz Al-Yaeesh in Nissan Patrols.
Taurus T3s dominate Challenger, with the QMMF Team’s Ahmed Al-Kuwari heading a field including last year’s winner Khalid Al-Jafla, defending MERC champion Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari, Hamad Al-Harbi and Portugal’s Francisco Barreto.
South Racing Can-Am’s Maha Al-Hameli and Diego Martinez head the SSVs against Italy’s Amerigo Ventura, Saudi pair Hamza Bakhashab and Abdullah Al-Haydan, Emirati Mansour Al-Helai and returning former MERC front-runner Hamed Al-Wahaibi. Defending champion Majed Al-Thunayyan leads four Nissans in Stock, with Saudi Fahad Al-Muaywid and Qataris Abdullah Al-Rabban and Mohammed Al-Meer.
Eid among the bike contenders
Four-time winner and defending FIM Bajas World Cup champion Mohammed Al-Balooshi heads the motorcycle field on his Husqvarna RR 450. Lebanon’s Rafic Eid, Jordan’s Abdullah Abu Aisheh and Al-Balooshi’s brother Sultan are all hoping for podiums.
Al-Balooshi, Eid, Britain’s Barry Howe, Fréderic Fontarosa and MX Ride Dubai’s Sultan Al-Shanqiti are also eligible for the Veterans’ category, while local rider Abdullah Al-Batayneh is the only Junior. Haitham Al-Tuwaijri leads the quads on his Yamaha Raptor from fellow Saudis Abdulaziz Al-Shayban and Hani Al-Noumesi.
The 2025 Jordan Baja is sponsored by Zain Jordan, Markazia Toyota, Bank of Jordan, Manaseer Oil and Gas, the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA), Guarantee Travel Group, Budget Jordan, Hala and Bliss FM.