The Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation (SAMF) will host the Sharqiyah International Baja Toyota, round three of the FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Bajas, on March 3rd-6th.
Following the opening round through the frozen Russian wastelands in early February and this week’s second round in the UAE’s Al-Qudra desert, Saudi Arabia’s round takes place in the Eastern Province.
It is organised by a team working under H.R.H. Prince Khalid bin Sultan Al-Abdullah Al-Faisal, SAMF President and Chairman of the Organising Committee, and is also the opening round of the 2021 Saudi Toyota Desert Rally Championship.
The format
Based at the Holiday Inn Resort on Half Moon Bay, the Baja runs over three days. After administration and scrutineering on Wednesday, March 3rd, timed action starts with a qualifying stage of around 11km on Thursday, March 4th.
The first selective section of around 220km runs on Friday, March 5th, in the sandy deserts west of the commercial centre of Khobar, and a second competitive leg of roughly 210km completes the event on Saturday, March 6th.
History
The SAMF ran the first Sharqiyah Baja through the eastern deserts in December 2019. Local driver Yazeed Al-Rajhi won the event, which was an FIA candidate event and the fifth round of the Saudi Desert Rally Championship.
Spanish legend Carlos Sainz also competed and finished second overall as he made final preparations for the first Dakar Rally in the Kingdom in January 2020.
The area also hosted a candidate event and a round of the FIA Middle East Rally Championship in 2008 and 2010, both won by Al-Rajhi and French co-driver Matthieu Baumel.
Entries close on Wednesday, February 24th. Full details, visa application forms and Covid-19 protocols and requirements for foreign visitors are available on www.sharqiyahbaja.com.