South Racing Middle East has taken over Dubai-based Sabertooth Motoring Adventure and will run a Can-Am Maverick for Saudi driver Mashael Al-Obaidan at this weekend’s Baja Spain Aragón, round five of the 2021 FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Bajas.
The new Middle East arm of South Racing operates from a new Dubai facility and has several latest-spec Can-Am Mavericks for national and international competition.
Al-Obaidan partners experienced Emirati co-driver Ali Mirza for her first European Baja. She will be the first Saudi woman to compete in a European Baja, having first explored buggies, dirt bikes and motorcycles in Utah’s vast desert and California’s dunes while studying for a Master’s degree in the USA.
One of her passions is to “forge a path for more women from the GCC to participate and showcase their talents in male-dominated sports.”
South Racing Middle East is part of South Racing’s global expansion and, with the Dakar Rally being in the Middle East for the foreseeable future, we felt that it was very important to have a base in the Middle East region. The new South Racing Middle East headquarters is a multi-functioning facility combining a showroom, service centre, full race manufacturing capacity, parts distribution hub and a unique dune training and activation facility. We can, therefore, service customers in the region much more efficiently.
Scott Abraham, South Racing managing director
Not only does it provide the most comprehensive desert training available but it also has five of our latest specification 2021 Dakar Can-Ams permanently based in Dubai. This enables customers to train, practice and compete in any regional events with solid logistics. Simply put, the region now has a one-stop shop on the doorstep.
Scott Abraham
Mashael will be debuting in Europe. She has taken part in some Bajas in Saudi Arabia at national level and is another of the strong Saudi women who are emerging on to the global cross-country rally scene.
Scott Abraham
We are both proud and excited to announce that Baja Aragón will see the first ever international entry from South Racing Middle East, who recently acquired Sabertooth Motoring Adventure, based in Dubai. Now the new arm of South Racing in the Gulf region, our rookie team-mate Mashael Al-Obaidan will be the first GCC Saudi female to ever compete in a European Baja, supported by Ali Mirza.
Thomas Bell, Sabertooth
They will join the South Racing line-up alongside Molly Taylor, also entering her first ever Baja. Mashael is on her journey to Dakar 2022, where her goal is to represent Saudi Arabia in her homeland.
Thomas Bell
South Racing Middle East is also supported by Method Wheels, Tensor Tires, Motul, Bell, Lazer and OMP.
Baja Spain Aragón runs over two legs with 539.36 competitive kilometres in an 829.95km route. Leg one has a 180km section on Friday, July 23rd, and leg two has stages of 151km and 208.36km before the finish in Teruel.