QMMF’s Executive Director Amro Al Hamad with drivers and riders during a press conference, yesterday.
Doha: The Qatar International Baja, organised by the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) and to be held this weekend over three days, has a record 105 entries from 31 countries in the T3 (lightweight prototype cross-country vehicles) and T4 (modified Rally Raid vehicles) categories.
“We have a record 105 entries from 31 countries this time at the Qatar International Baja and we are proud. This shows that we are on the right track of development in motor rallying,” said QMMF’s Executive Director Amro Al Hamad during a media briefing with the drivers and riders ahead of the event at the QMMF headquarters at Lusail Sports Complex yesterday.
QMMF President Abdulrahman Al Mannai was also present on the occasion.
More than 100 crews from 31 countries will participate in the Qatar International Baja (March 16-18), which constitutes the second round of the FIA World Cup and the Middle East for Baja Cross Country, and the second round of the FIM Baja World Cup. Among these are 47 cars, 51 motorcycles and 4 quads in various categories. This is besides the participation of a list of 21 vehicles in T3 and 13 others in T4 category.
The drivers and riders echoed the navigational challenge in overcoming the deserts of Qatar. “No matter how experienced you are, it is always a different and tough challenge in Qatar,” they said.
Qatar-based Australia Martin Chalmers, said, “I have been racing in the region for the last 10 years and Qatar is the toughest terrain to navigate. You can get lost as the track is rocky and there are too many edges. I have not participated in Europe, so I don’t how difficult it is, but the Qatar Baja I am sure is one of the toughest in the world.”
UAE’s star rider Mohammed Al Balooshi, said, “I would like to thank the QMMF for this amazing event. This competition gives all the Arab riders a push. The navigation part at the Qatar Baja is tough and the key here is to go slow, so you can go a little bit faster. For me this is a unique round since I failed to win last year after a close contest. This year we are well prepared and we will like to do our best this time.”
The competition is fierce particularly in the T3 “VIA” category where Spaniard Fernando Alvarez has a golden opportunity to seize the lead in the general standings, in the absence of Saudi Saleh Al Saif. Alvarez is ranked second after the first round in Saudi Arabia and is only 8 points adrift.
Dania Akeel finished as runner-up to Alvarez last season and will be looking to recover quickly from a disappointing Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge in her Can-Am. The Saudi holds third in the rankings, three points clear of the Dutch businessman Kees Koolen in his G Rally Team OT3.
Other regular championship contenders present include Spain’s Santiago Navarro, Brazilian Otavio Sousa, Argentina’s Hector Diego Martinez and Kuwait’s Meshari Al Thefiri.
Yasir Seaidan leads the FIA Middle East’s T3 category but is not present at the Qatar Baja. His absence paves the way for fellow countrymen Hamad Al Harbi and Abdullah Al Shegawi to battle it out for valuable points against a fierce local line-up.
The QMMF has entered seven Can-Ams for a selection of Qatar’s leading drivers and 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, along with Lebanon’s Henry Kahy, a former FIA MERC3 champion.
Spaniard Pau Navarro holds a six-point advantage over Frenchman Jeremie Warnia in the FIA World Cup’s T3 standings. But the young FN Speed Team Can-Am driver faces a strong field in Qatar that includes Warnia and his other title rivals - Brazilian Cristiano de Sousa, Uruguay’s Luis Henderson, Italy’s Pietro Cinotto and Spain’s Ricardo Ramilo.
