The record entry for this weekend’s Qatar International Baja has been lifted by the worldwide strength and popularity of the FIA T3 category for lightweight prototypes and the FIA T4 section for modified production side-by-side vehicles.
The Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) confirmed on Monday that 21 vehicles had been entered in T3 and a further 13 in T4. Saudi Arabia’s Saleh Al-Saif has since said he will be unable to attend and defend his early lead in the T3 category of the FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Bajas.
The T3 class is thriving, thanks largely to the success of the South Racing and FN Speed Can-Am Maverick X3s, the new X-raid Yamaha YXZ 1000 R prototype, the XtremePlus Polaris RZR, the PH-Sport Zephyr and the G Rally Team’s OT3.
With Al-Saif absent, defending champion Fernando Alvarez has an ideal chance to move to the top of the standings. The Spaniard was second at the opening round in Saudi Arabia and is just eight points behind heading into a weekend that promises heat, possible winds and the tricky navigation that makes the Qatar Baja so demanding.
Dania Akeel, runner-up to Alvarez last season, will want to bounce back quickly from a disappointing Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge in her Can-Am. The Saudi is third in the standings, three points clear of Dutch businessman Kees Koolen in his G Rally Team OT3.
Other regular contenders in Qatar include Spain’s Santiago Navarro, Brazil’s Otavio Sousa, Argentina’s Hector Diego Martinez and Kuwait’s Meshari Al-Thefiri.
Middle East Cup battle
Yasir Seaidan leads the FIA Middle East T3 category but is not taking part in the Qatar Baja. That opens the door for fellow Saudis Hamad Al-Harbi and Abdullah Al-Shegawi to fight for valuable points against a strong local line-up.
The QMMF has entered seven Can-Ams for a group of Qatar’s leading drivers. Former FIA World T2 Champion Adel Abdulla, Rashid Al-Muhannadi, Mohammed Al-Meer and Nouef Hassan Al-Suwaidi are registered to score points in the FIA Middle East Cup, as is Lebanon’s Henry Kahy, a former FIA MERC3 champion.
The other three QMMF drivers, Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari, Nasser Al-Kuwari and Ahmed Al-Muhannadi, are registered for the FIA World Cup, alongside Frenchman Lionel Baud in a second OT3, compatriot Jean-Luc Ceccaldi in a PH-Sport Zephyr and Portuguese privateer Mario Franco in a Yamaha YXZ 1000 R.
T4 contenders
Spain’s Pau Navarro holds a six-point lead over Frenchman Jeremie Warnia in the FIA World Cup T4 standings. The young FN Speed Team driver also faces title rivals Brazil’s Cristiano de Sousa, Uruguay’s Luis Henderson, Italy’s Pietro Cinotto and Spain’s Ricardo Ramilo.
Kuwait’s Salem Al-Dhafeeri arrives at Lusail with a five-point advantage over Saudi female driver Maha Al-Hameli in the FIA Middle East Cup T4 championship.
Four local drivers registered for the FIA Middle East Cup add depth to T4, led by former bike and quad rider Ahmed Al-Kuwari in his Yamaha. He is joined by Khalid Al-Mohannadi (Polaris), Abdullah Al-Khelaifi (Yamaha) and Mohammed Al-Attiyah (Can-Am). Italy’s Stefano Marrini has also entered a Can-Am.
Competition begins with Thursday’s Prologue stage from Lusail Boulevard, with the motorcycles and quads starting from 19.30hrs.
Wednesday
Administrative checks and scrutineering take place at Lusail tomorrow, before several leading riders and drivers attend the official pre-event press conference from 18.00hrs at the Lusail Sports Complex.