The Qatar International Baja officially starts at the impressive new Al-Bayt Stadium in Al-Khor at 15.30hrs on Thursday afternoon.
Moved from its original April date because of Covid-19, the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation’s flagship off-road event is now round five of the 2021 FIM Bajas World Cup.
Subject to final technical checks, 35 motorcycles, five quads and six SSVs will tackle a short special stage and two desert sections before finishing back at Al-Bayt Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
A busy Thursday
Machines go through scrutineering at the Losail Sports Arena in the morning, after which competitors can recce the opening super special, scheduled from 15.50hrs. Selected entrants attend the pre-event press conference at Al-Bayt Stadium at 15.00hrs, followed by the ceremonial start from 15.30hrs and a short drive to the super special at Semaisma.
Contenders
Top seed Mohammed Al-Balooshi of MX Ride Dubai hopes to extend his eight-point lead in the FIM Bajas World Cup 450cc class. Besides closest rival Abdullah Abuaisheh, he faces several Qatari riders, including Sheikh Mohammed Al-Thani and Mohammed Al-Kaabi.
Four Qatari drivers chase success in the FIM’s new SSV class for lightweight all-terrain vehicles. Ahmed Al-Kuwari drives a Yamaha YXZ 1000R with experienced MERC co-driver Nasser Al-Kuwari, and Khalid Al-Mohannadi partners professional French navigator Sebastien Delaunay in a Polaris. Abdullah Al-Khelaifi drives a Yamaha with Abdulaziz Al-Jabri, and Ahmad Al-Mohannadi completes the local line-up with Jordanian team-mate Feras Allouh in a Can-Am X3.