LUSAIL, QATAR – The Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) has released a quality entry for the Qatar International Baja on October 30 – November 2 – round six of the FIA World Baja Cup and FIM Bajas World Cup, and round two of the FIA Middle East Baja Cup.
Thirty-eight cars are entered in the FIA categories, with 62 motorcycles and five quads under the FIM. Twelve car crews are registered for the World Cup and 14 for the Middle East Cup.
Cars
Denis Krotov heads the car field in an X-Raid Mini JCW Rally 3.0i, with the main Ultimate challenge expected from Overdrive Racing Toyota pair Dania Akeel and Akira Miura. Miroslav Zapletal arrives directly from Qassim Rally Toyota in Saudi Arabia.
South Racing Can-Am’s Diego Martinez chases Challenger honours against Eduardo Pons and Khalid Al-Jafla in Taurus T3 Max cars, plus five more Taurus entered by the QMMF for Rashid Al-Muhannadi, Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari, Khalifa Al-Attiya, Nouef Al-Sowaidi and Ahmad Al-Muhannadi.
World Cup and SSV leader Fernando Alvarez (Can-Am Maverick XRS Turbo RR) faces main rival João Ferreira, who has swapped his X-Raid Mini for a Can-Am with the Ultimate title almost secured, plus Amerigo Ventura and João Dias. Quaddy Racing runs new Yamahas for Ventura and Qatar’s Ahmed Al-Kuwari, with locals Mohammed Al-Atteya and Abdullah Al-Khelaifi also in SSVs. Dutch veteran Erik van Loon continues developing the new Can-Am Maverick R in an Experimental class. Qatar’s Abdullah Al-Rabban and Saudi Majed Al-Thunayyan head Stock.
Bikes and quads
MX Ride Dubai’s Mohammed Al-Balooshi chases the overall FIM title against Portuguese rivals David Megre and Pedro Bianchi Prata, in a multinational field including riders from Lebanon, Kuwait, Poland, Great Britain and beyond. Qatar is represented by Abdulattif Mojadam, Abdulrahman Al-Sheeb and Mohammed Al-Thani, while Poland’s Joanna Modrzewska and India’s Sarah Kashyap duel for the Women’s category.
Saudis Haitham Al-Tuwaijri, Abdulaziz Al-Shayban, Hani Al-Noumesi and Abdulaziz Al-Atawi take on the UAE’s Abdulaziz Ahli in an all-Yamaha quad line-up. The event is chaired by QMMF President Abdulrahman Al-Mannai, with Executive Director Amro Al-Hamad and board member Abdulrazaq Al-Kuwari.