The 2023 Qatar International Baja will count towards both the FIA World and Middle East Cups for Cross-Country Bajas and will be round two of the FIM Bajas World Cup. The Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) has confirmed the event will take place on March 15th-18th.
The Baja will be based near the QMMF offices at Lusail Sports Arena, with the service park close by. The venue will also host administrative checks and technical scrutineering.
The event again runs under the chairmanship of QMMF President Abdulrahman Al-Mannai, Executive Director Amro Al-Hamad and board member Abdulrazaq Al-Kuwari.
The route
Subject to FIA and FIM approval, the Baja will run over two legs of 251.18km and 239.43km.
A 10.02km Prologue around 16km north of the service park near Al-Bayt Stadium takes place on Thursday afternoon (March 16th) from 15.00hrs, after which FIA competitors attend the ceremonial start from 20.00hrs.
They then face two competitive sections of 120.43km and 120.73km on Friday, March 17th. FIM competitors tackle a single selective section, running the two FIA stages in reverse order, for a total of 248.19km.
Saturday’s 239.43km selective section is split into four competitive sections of 34.44km, 29.03km, 44.15km and 125.27km by transfer zones, completing a total route of 836.14km including liaisons. The podium finish takes place from 19.00hrs.
Final details of the revised FIM event will be released later.
2022 winners
The Baja counted towards both the FIA Middle East and FIM series for the first time in 2022. Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah and Mathieu Baumel won the car category for the seventh time together in a Toyota Hilux, young Pole Konrad Dabrowski dominated the motorcycles and Saudi rider Abdulmajeed Al-Khulaifi topped the quads.
WRC star Kris Meeke and local driver Khalifa Saleh Al-Attiyah won T3 and T4 respectively in their Can-Ams.
Entries and support
Entries are open and close on Wednesday, March 1st.
The QMMF is offering generous support to competitors who pass administrative and scrutineering checks. GCC entrants in the FIA car, T3 and T4 categories will receive a $3,000 shipping allowance and international entrants $6,000. GCC motorcycle and quad riders are eligible for $1,500, with $3,000 for international riders.
Entry fees will also be refunded to competitors who pass technical checks and appear on the official start lists, and early entrants registering before Wednesday, February 15th will receive an extra 1,000 QAR.
The QMMF will book economy class return tickets for drivers and co-drivers once entry fees are paid, and provide a twin hotel room with breakfast for five nights.